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.

A three-game series against the top team in the American League knocked the Cubs out of their spot atop the National League. Their 4-0 loss to the Tigers (43-24) in th

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