Jack Flaherty had a historic August to help lead the Cardinals towards the playoffs.

In six starts this month, he allowed a mere three earned runs. He led the MLB in earned run average with a 0.71 mark. In addition, his 0.74 WHIP is good for fourth best during that span. Also, he had 1.7 wins above replacement, which leads the league and is more than his season total before August started.

“He had one of the most dominant months I’ve ever seen from a pitcher,” senior Ethan Seymore said.

In one fewer start than a year ago, he has surpassed his wins above replacement by almost a full point. In addition, he has had eleven quality starts this season, up from the total in his rookie campaign. While his strikeout rate has dropped from 2018, his walk rate has went down significantly. His home-runs allowed has also increased, as in one fewer start, he has allowed more home-runs in 2019 than he did in all of 2018. 

“Last season Flaherty wasn’t given a big role on the team, but he has been able to take advantage of his extra playing time this year,” senior Blake Haffer said.

With only three runs allowed in the month of August, he became the first Cardinals pitcher since Bob Gibson in 1968 to allow three or fewer earned runs in a month. Flaherty and the Cardinals’ success have aligned. The Cardinals are two games ahead of the Cubs for first place in the National League Central. Having missed the postseason for the past three seasons, both the team and fans are hoping they sneak in this year.

“If the Cardinals don’t make the Postseason this year, the outrage from the fanbase will be the loudest its been in a long, long time,” junior Jacob Justice said.

One month remains this season, and last year, September was the worst month for Jack Flaherty, statistically speaking. Although, with his historic August propelling him, he’ll look to bury that train of thought.