Detroit — Pitching is not a linear endeavor. The arc of a pitcher’s season is not linear.
Matthew Boyd will tell you this, repeatedly, until it’s understood. Things do not progress in a straight line — not in a career, not in a season and not in a game.
One minute you are among the league leaders in strikeouts, opponents are hitting just .227 against you and there’s talk of being selected to the All-Star team. Then you look up 2½ months later and you’ve allowed 39 home runs, you lead the majors with four balks and over your last 17 starts, your ERA is just under 6.