Jack Flaherty makes unwanted World Series history with ugly start to Game 5 against the Yankees

For the second straight year, the Los Angeles Dodgers have a chance to close out the 2024 World Series on Wednesday. But for the second year in a row, the New York Yankees offense has an answer.

Dodgers starting pitcher Jack Flaherty didn't last long in Game 5, allowing four earned runs on four hits and a walk over 1 1/3 innings. He was relieved of his duties in the second inning and left the mound with Los Angeles facing a 4-0 deficit.

Most of the damage came in the first inning, when Flaherty hit two straight home runs to Yankees sluggers Aaron Judge and Jazz Chisholm Jr. According to Opta STATS, Flaherty is the first starting pitcher in World Series history to allow at least four home runs and two home runs while lasting less than two innings.

Not ideal.

If Los Angeles can't pull off a comeback on Wednesday night, they will turn their attention to Game 6 on Friday night at Dodger Stadium. The Dodgers have not yet officially announced a possible pitcher for the remainder of the series, but Yoshinobu Yamamoto is expected to start in Game 6 and Walker Buehler will start in Game 7 if needed.