21 Rick Porcello, SP

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello struggled through five innings against the Twins Thursday, allowing five earned runs on 10 hits and a walk while striking out two in a no-decision.

Porcello had been on a roll in his last four starts, but the poor outing Thursday raised his ERA to 6.28. It was also the first time in five starts that he struck out fewer than five batters. He next faces the Pirates at home Tuesday.

Ever since getting knocked out in the first inning by the Angels last month, Rick Porcello has turned in a string of four effective starts. Most notable is Porcello's surge in strikeouts, as he has registered 24 Ks in 25 innings.

Has the Tigers' young contact pitcher suddenly learned to miss bats? Over those four starts, Porcello has posted a 9 percent whiff rate that is above his norm, but outings against the Astros and Braves have helped to boost that mark. Those two squads just happen to have the lowest contact rates in the majors, according to FanGraphs.com.

I'll need to see a longer string of high-strikeout starts from Porcello before I see him as a viable standard mixed league option who can help with Ks.

Tigers pitcher Rick Porcello has been much better as of late, and his changeup is a major factor in his recent hot streak. 

Porcello is well aware of his improved changeup, as R.J. White profiled in a recent player update. The numbers back up that notion. Porcello's whiff rate with the changeup has jumped from 13.02 percent last season to 17.65 percent this year, per BrooksBaseball.net. He's also been willing to use it against right-handers much more than in recent years. Porcello will look to run his streak of quality starts to five against the Twins Thursday. 

Porcello's recent streak might not be enough to convince Fantasy owners he's truly figured things out. He's had strong stretches in the past, but has rarely shown the high strikeout rates needed from Fantasy pitchers. 

Tigers starting pitcher Rick Porcello is 2-0 with a 3.24 ERA and 24 strikeouts in 25 innings over his last four starts, and he's crediting his changeup.

"My changeup has been coming around nicely," Porcello told MLB.com "I've been able to get some swings and misses off it lately, especially with two strikes. I'm throwing it to both righties and lefties. It's been a nice pitch for me this year."

Porcello is 2-2 with a 5.92 ERA and 1.32 WHIP in 38 innings this season.

Tigers starter Rick Porcello enjoyed a solid outing as he picked up his second win of the season Friday night against the Rangers.

Porcello surrendered a solo home run to Geovany Soto in the fifth for his only damage of the night. He was charged with one run and five hits over 5 2/3 innings of work. He struck out six and walked one in a 2-1 victory.

Porcello has allowed just three runs over his last 11 2/3 innings of work. He is scheduled to start Thursday at home against Minnesota. The right-hander allowed three runs over 5 2/3 innings in his season debut on April 4 against the Twins.