Justin Gaethje loses $5000 as Jack Flaherty impresses with 6 strikeouts in Dodgers vs. Yankees World Series

Jack Flaherty showed a good account of himself as the starting pitcher in the Dodgers' 6-3 victory over the Yankees in Game 1 of the 2024 World Series. Over 5.1 innings, the Dodgers ace gave up just five hits and two earned runs. Showing good control of pitchers, Flaherty struck out six batters while walking only one.

However, one person who suffered a financial loss due to Flaherty's six strikeouts was former UFC interim lightweight champion Justin Gaethje. Through PrizePicks, an online daily fantasy sports operator, the former BMF title holder wagered $5,000, betting Flaherty would strike out fewer than five and that Brooklyn Nets' Jalen Wilson would surpass 12.5 combined points, rebounds and assists. Gaethje shared his picks via his Instagram story.

Justin Gaethje's wager

Unfortunately for Gaethje, both his bets failed. In addition to Flaherty striking out six, Wilson went scoreless and only tallied two assists and a rebound in the 13 minutes he played against the Orlando Magic on Friday night. The Nets lost the game, 116-101, suffering their second straight loss.

Even if Jack Flaherty had struck out fewer batters, Gaethje still would have lost the bet. A win with his picks would have netted the former UFC champion $15,000, a 200% return on his $5,000 bet.

In another notable betting loss, Dillon Danis, another combat sports figure, lost $40,000 betting on the Yankees during the ALCS. Danis had predicted the Yankees to win Game 3 against the Guardians but David Fry's heroics dashed their chances.

Jack Flaherty cheered on by his mother and high school teammates at Dodgers stadium

Game 1 of the 2024 World Series took place at Dodgers Stadium, where the atmosphere was electric as the team was cheered on by their diehard fans and an array of celebrities. Ace pitcher Jack Flaherty found extra motivation as he had familiar faces in the stands.

Flagerty's mom Eileen was in the audience, and her animated reactions went viral on social media. Also in the audience were Lucas Giolito and Max Fried, Flaherty's high school teammates. The trio played together on the Harvard-Westlake baseball team with Ethan Katz, currently with the White Sox, as their pitching coach.

Giolito, a 2019 All-Star pitcher, is rehabbing a UCL surgery that forced him to miss the 2024 season with the Red Sox. Meanwhile, Max Fried, a former World Series champion and a two-time All-Star, couldn't make a deep postseason run as his Atlanta Braves lost to the San Diego Padres in the Wild Card Series.

Jack Flaherty will likely pitch again in the Fall Classic, as the series is expected to be long with the Yankees posing a tough challenge.