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.

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.

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. 

"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.