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Jack Flaherty’s Command Issues, Spencer Torkelson’s Quiet Approach Loom Large in Tigers’ Loss
TL;DR
The Tigers lost 8-6 to the Red Sox, marked by Jack Flaherty's command issues and Spencer Torkelson's late-game struggles. Flaherty had six walks and a throwing error, while Torkelson struck out in a crucial moment.
Key points
- Tigers lost 8-6 to the Red Sox
- Jack Flaherty had 6 walks and a throwing error
- Spencer Torkelson struck out in a critical ninth inning
- Flaherty's xERA is 4.72 this season
- Tigers displayed a sloppy performance overall
TigersRed SoxJack FlahertySpencer Torkelson
Jack Flaherty’s Command Issues, Spencer Torkelson’s Quiet Approach Loom Large in Tigers’ Loss
When you think of 11 a.m. baseball, maybe you chalk it up to the kind of thing you see in the minors or in tournament settings. But in today’s 8-6 loss to Boston, the Tigers turned it into one of their sloppiest and weirdest games in recent memory.
Jack Flaherty’s throwing error in the second inning helped put Detroit behind, the six walks kept traffic on the bases all morning, and Spencer Torkelson’s ninth-inning pinch-hit strikeout landed in one of the few spots where a single swing could have changed the feel of the finish. Detroit chipped back late, but the more interesting story from this one is that both Flaherty and Torkelson look less decisive right now than they do when they are right.
Start with Flaherty. Today’s line — 3.1 innings, 3 hits, 2 runs, 0 earned runs, 6 walks, 3 strikeouts — points to command and count leverage more than raw stuff. Baseball Savant backs that up. His average exit velocity allowed is up to 90.6 mph, hard-hit rate allowed is 46.0%, and his xERA sits at 4.72 in 2026.
The velocity itself is not the problem; his average fastball velocity is actually a tick higher than last season, 90.6 mph versus 89.7. The bigger issue is that hitters are not expanding against him the way they did in 2025.
His chase rate has dropped from 29.1% to 19.9%, his whiff rate from 27.3% to 24.4%, and his first-strike rate from 64.2% to 55.7%, while his walk rate has jumped from 8.7% to 15.9%. That is a bad combination for any starter, because it means more hitter-friendly counts and more plate appearances that stay alive.
If you are looking for one external explanation, the strike zone question is fair. MLB says the 2026 ABS challenge zone is a bit tighter than the old human-called zone; on 2-2 counts, league research found the traditional umpire zone measured 449 square inches versus 443 for the ABS zone. Savant’s ABS dashboard also notes that the zone is standardized at 17 inches wide, with the top set at 53.5% of a hitter’s measured height and the bottom at 27%.
So yes, there is a real case that some pitcher-friendly border calls are harder to get now. But I would stop short of blaming Flaherty’s day on a smaller zone. A slightly tighter zone can punish nibbling, but his own Savant profile says the larger issue is that he is not getting enough chase or enough early-count advantage. That is on execution more than environment.
Q&A
What were Jack Flaherty's pitching stats in the Tigers' loss to the Red Sox?
Jack Flaherty pitched 3.1 innings, allowing 3 hits, 2 runs (0 earned), with 6 walks and 3 strikeouts.
How did Spencer Torkelson perform in the game against the Red Sox?
Spencer Torkelson struck out as a pinch hitter in the ninth inning, a moment that could have significantly changed the game's outcome.
What contributed to the Tigers' sloppy performance against the Red Sox?
The Tigers' loss was characterized by Flaherty's command issues, including a throwing error and multiple walks, leading to a chaotic game.
What does Flaherty's xERA indicate about his performance this season?
Flaherty's xERA is 4.72, suggesting he has been struggling with command and allowing hard contact this season.
