Jack Flaherty: Everything you need to know

Flaherty (0-2) took the loss against Cincinnati on Saturday, surrendering six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four batters over two innings. Flaherty was staked to a 1-0 lead after half an inning, but he quickly fell behind by yielding two homers for four total runs in the bottom of the frame. The Reds got to him for another long ball in the second, and Flaherty wasn't allowed to return to the mound for the third. The three long balls were a season worst for Flaherty, who had given up just one homer over his five starts prior to Saturday. It's been an up-and-down campaign for Flaherty, as he holds a 5.33 ERA despite yielding one or zero earned runs in three of his six outings. His next start is projected to be a home matchup versus Texas.

Flaherty didn't factor into the decision Monday against the Red Sox, allowing two runs (zero earned) on three hits and six walks in 3.1 innings. He struck out three. With Monday's game having an early first-pitch time of 11:10 a.m. ET, Flaherty appeared to be a step slow on the mound. It was the third time in his career that the right-hander issued at least six walks, and the Tigers decided they'd seen enough after he threw a season-low 73 pitches (41 strikes). Flaherty has a strong 3.47 ERA through 23.1 innings, but his 1.59 WHIP and 24:20 K:BB are major causes for concern ahead of a difficult task at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park against the Reds in his next start.

Flaherty did not factor into the decision Wednesday against the Royals, allowing one run on two hits and three walks while striking out seven over six innings. The right-hander was dominant for much of the outing, opening the game with four strikeouts over the first two innings while needing just 25 pitches. Flaherty's only blemish came in the fifth, when back-to-back walks set up an RBI single from Kyle Isbel. After a mediocre start to the year, the 30-year-old has looked much sharper over his last two starts, allowing just two runs while striking out 13 across 11.2 innings. Flaherty has now lowered his season ERA to 4.05, but his 14 walks remain a concern, and he'll seek to keep building momentum in his next scheduled outing against Boston.