For Jack Flaherty, it wasn’t just about the losses. It was how he was losing them.
In his first three starts of the 2025 season, the Detroit Tigers right-hander allowed a total of three runs over 17 innings. He went 1-0 over that stretch with a 1.62 ERA, giving up nine hits and seven walks while striking out 17.
But the road got bumpy for Flaherty over the next several weeks, as he lost five consecutive starts. In his last outing over that stretch on May 10, Flaherty lasted only three innings at home in a 10-3 loss to Texas, giving up five runs on four hits, all homers, plus a pair of walks. It was the first time in his nine-year MLB career, spanning 167 games, that Flaherty had allowed four home runs, all of them coming from left-handed batters.
"I'm still feeling through some things with delivery and timing, so just trying to find where I can repeat it over and over again," said Flaherty, who the St. Louis Cardinals selected in the first round of the 2014 draft. "I'm trying to transfer things over from bullpens to starts. One pitch will be good, and then the next one, maybe not so great. I'm trying to be more consistent."
Of particular concern to Flaherty and the Tigers was the precipitous drop-off in swing-and-miss rate on his four-seam fastball, which had been at 23.9% in 2024 but was down to 11% this season after getting zero whiffs on eight swings in that loss to the Rangers. The issues weren’t with velocity, movement or spin efficiency, all which remained nearly identical to last season. But for some reason, Flaherty’s fastball had become inconsistent.
"This isn't really who he is. It's who he's been for a couple of starts,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch stressed. "This is how the big leagues can be if you don't execute."
Flaherty said he was determined to make the necessary adjustments.
"I won't stop until I figure it out," he said.
It’s a work in progress, but Flaherty appears to be heading in the right direction.
He broke his losing streak May 16 with a 5-4 win over Toronto, allowing two runs on five hits and a walk with six strikeouts in 5.2 innings. Although Detroit lost to Cleveland in his next time through the rotation, Flaherty turned in another quality start May 22, giving up three runs on three hits and three walks with eight strikeouts in 6.2 innings.
But Flaherty’s most recent start was arguably his best of the season.
Facing the Giants at home on May 27, the 29-year-old pitched six scoreless innings, giving up just two hits and one walk while striking out eight. Flaherty’s fastball was especially effective, as he got 13 called strikes and seven of his 13 whiffs with the pitch.
“I was able to command it pretty well today to both sides of the plate,” Flaherty said. “Being able to pitch off your fastball and get guys on their heels, it opens up everything else. For me, it was continuing to try to move better and stay within myself. If I can execute and locate, it opens up the rest of the arsenal.”
After signing a two-year, $35 million contract with Detroit in early February, Flaherty is 3-6 with a 3.94 ERA and 72 strikeouts in 59.1 innings.
Michael Wacha Takes No-Hitter Into 7th Against Detroit, Tarik Skubal
It was a tough assignment, but Michael Wacha was up to the task.
Facing the AL Central-leading Detroit Tigers on Saturday afternoon, with reigning AL Cy Young Award winner Tarik Skubal on the mound, Wacha knew he would need to be almost perfect. And he almost was, taking a no-hitter into the seventh inning of a game the Royals won 1-0.
“Watching him do that today, it’s incredible,” Royals designated hitter Vinnie Pasquantino said of Wacha. “He’s everything for this team.”
Neither starter figured into the decision, but neither one of them gave an inch. Wacha went seven innings, giving up one hit and one walk with six strikeouts. Skubal also lasted seven innings, with two hits allowed and no walks, while striking out seven.
“The art of pitching, it was on display,” Tigers manager A.J. Hinch said. “[Wacha] disrupts timing. He moves the ball around. He doesn't throw the same pitch twice, pounds the strike zone early, gets you to chase late. And he did all of that against us, and we didn't have much of an answer today."
Wacha has quietly been one of the best pitchers in baseball over the last four seasons. The 33-year-old right-hander, who was drafted by the Cardinals in the first round of the 2012 draft, boasts a 2.88 ERA after 12 starts in 2025, none better than Saturday’s.
“It was close to the best outing I’ve ever seen him have,” said Royals manager Matt Quatraro.
Tommy Edman Struggles to Regain Form After Short IL Stint
Through the first month of the 2025 season, Tommy Edman was the surprise name sitting amongst the league’s leading home run hitters. But after a short stint on the injured list, the Los Angeles Dodgers switch-hitter struggled to regain his form.
Edman was placed on the 10-day IL April 30 with right ankle inflammation. At the time, he was batting .252 with eight home runs and 24 RBIs, shocking everyone in baseball with his early-season power display.
But since returning to action on May 18, Edman’s numbers have taken a tumble. In his first 10 games back, Edman had just five hits in 35 at bats, with no homers and two RBIs, and his slash line dropped to .226/.270/.445
“I think it’s swing mechanics. I don’t think it’s the health part,” Dodgers manager Dave Roberts said on Friday about Edman’s issues.
“Even a little bit before he went on the IL. I think he wasn’t particularly in a good spot and that’s right-handed and left-handed. I think there’s certainly a lot more chase below from Tommy. There’s a couple little things that he could potentially change I think to get him in a better spot.”
Edman did provide some punch for the Dodgers during the weekend series against the New York Yankees. He went 4-for-5 on Saturday with two doubles and a pair of RBIs, then hit his first home run since returning from the IL in the ninth inning of Sunday’s 7-3 loss.