Tigers right-handed starter Jack Flaherty kept Cubs hitters off balance in one of his best starts of the season. It's looking like a trend.

The Cubs whiffed on eight of 16 swings at the knuckle-curve. Five of his nine strikeouts were with that pitch. Conversely, with the hitters focused on the spin, Flaherty stole 17 called strikes with a four-seam fastball that he was locating on the edges and especially at the bottom of the strike zone.

Jack Flaherty pitched six strong innings, Spencer Torkelson hit a two-run double and the host Detroit Tigers blanked the Chicago Cubs, 4-0, on Sunday afternoon.