ST. LOUIS (KMOX) - St. Louis Cardinals manager Mike Shildt named Jack Flaherty the opening day starter for the 2021 season on April 1.
Shildt says although Flaherty's 2020 stats we're as positive as expected, his overall body of work makes him deserving of the honor.
According to MLB.com's Sarah Lang, Flaherty, 25, will be just the fifth pitcher in Cardinals history to start multiple opening day games before turning 26. He joins Joe Magrane and Dizzy Dean with three each, and Lee Meadows and Johnny Lush who started twice before hitting age 26.
"We don’t take it lightly," Shildt said. "There is competition for our starting rotation, as we know. Competition includes the No. 1 starter position. Jack has more than earned the opportunity – and he’s in a really good place. It’s a nice accomplishment."
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There was apparently some thought into having Adam Wainwright, the 39-year-old veteran, start on opening day.
"Waino was maybe arguably, maybe not arguably our best pitcher last year," Shildt says.
Shildt said it would be a "wonderful opportunity" if the rotation lines up for the fan-favorite to start the home opener on April 8 against the Milwaukee Brewers. Wainwright signed a one-year contract this offseason and there's a chance this could be his last season in the majors ... but respectfully, we've been saying that for the last few years.
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The Cardinals are 2-3 in Wainwright's five career opening day starts (2009, 2013-16). He has the most opening day starts by a Cardinals since Bob Gibson started nine in a row from 1967 to 1975.
Flaherty is looking to win back-to-back openers for St. Louis, as he was also the 2020 opening day starter. On July 24 last year, he went seven innings and allowed just two runs on six hits in a 5-4 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
He will also start the Spring Training opener for St. Louis on Sunday against the Washington Nationals.
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