Jack Flaherty gave the Detroit Tigers exactly the kind of start they needed—even if the box score doesn't show it. In a season where every game matters, the veteran right-hander showed he still has the swing-and-miss stuff that made him a coveted arm at the trade deadline.

Over five innings, Flaherty struck out 10 batters, allowing just three hits and one walk. He didn't give up a single home run, a crucial stat for a pitcher who has been battling consistency. His 96 pitches were a testament to his efficiency and command, even as the final line read four runs—two of them unearned.

The story of the night, however, wasn't Flaherty's resurgence. It was the Tigers' offense—or lack thereof. While Flaherty was mowing down Red Sox hitters, his teammates couldn't muster the run support to turn his gem into a win. A costly fourth-inning fielding error by Colt Keith let two unearned runs cross the plate, turning what could have been a scoreless outing into a frustrating loss.

For Tigers fans, the bright spot is clear: Flaherty's stuff is back. His four-seam fastball sat at 92.4 mph, just a tick below his season average, but it was his secondary pitches that stole the show. The knuckle curve was virtually unhittable, generating a 50% whiff rate on swings. His slider accounted for five of his 10 strikeouts, and his fastball, while not overpowering, set the tone with a 78% strike rate.

In a game where the Tigers needed their pitcher to stabilize the ship, Flaherty delivered. Now, the question is whether the lineup can return the favor. For a team looking to build momentum, this was a step forward on the mound—even if the scoreboard didn't reflect it.