60DTanner Houck SP BOS Tue 5/16/23 8:06 AM
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Houck has a 2.33 ERA the first time through an order, but the ERA swells to 5.40 when facing hitters a second time, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
The numbers get uglier a third time through, when Houck's ERA climbs to 13.50. Boston manager Alex Cora said nothing has been different about Houck later in games -- throws the same pitches, the stuff is the same, keeps attacking hitters. The pattern emerging could lead Cora to move Houck to the bullpen. The Red Sox are currently operating with six starters -- and a seventh, Garrett Whitlock (elbow), on the way. Decisions need to be made, and Houck's inability to sustain his early-inning success could make it an easy decision for the manager.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Tue 5/16/23 12:07 AM
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Houck (3-3) took the loss against Seattle on Monday, allowing four runs on five hits and one walk while striking out five batters over five innings.
EDGE Analysis
Houck pitched well early, retiring the first 11 batters he faced and making it through four innings without allowing a run. However, he surrendered a two-run homer to Cal Raleigh in the fifth and then opened the sixth by allowing the first two batters to reach base, and each came around to score after his departure. Houck did flash some good swing-and-miss stuff with 15 whiffs, and his early-inning success may help him in his bid to remain in the rotation. However, his overall numbers this season aren't great, as he's posted a 5.48 ERA, 1.31 WHIP and 38:15 K:BB over 42.2 frames.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Sun 5/7/23 6:52 PM
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Houck will make his next scheduled start, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
EDGE Analysis
When exactly that start will come isn't clear, but it will either be next weekend against the Cardinals or early next week versus the Mariners. James Paxton (hamstring) is also set to join the rotation next weekend, so the Red Sox appear poised to use a six-man rotation for at least one turn. Houck was charged with three runs on five hits and a walk over 5.2 innings against the Phillies on Sunday, notching four strikeouts along the way.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Wed 5/3/23 4:35 PM
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Houck will remain in the Red Sox' rotation for now and start Sunday in Philadelphia, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
EDGE Analysis
While manager Alex Cora committed to Houck making his next scheduled start, he did not guarantee anything beyond that. Notable is that James Paxton's (hamstring) rehab assignment window runs out on May 8, one day after Houck's start. Houck has been roughed up for 10 runs (nine earned) over 11 innings in his last two starts.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Wed 5/3/23 9:20 AM
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Houck didn't factor into the decision in Tuesday's 7-6 win over the Blue Jays, surrendering six runs on six hits and three walks over six innings. He struck out five.
EDGE Analysis
The right-hander cruised through four innings before suddenly falling apart in the fifth and getting tagged for all six of Toronto's runs, including a three-run shot by Daulton Varsho. Houck made it through one more frame before exiting after 96 pitches (57 strikes), and Boston's bats were able to get him off the hook for his second loss of the year. He'll take a 5.34 ERA, 1.38 WHIP and 29:13 K:BB through 32 innings into his next outing, likely to come this weekend in Philadelphia.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Wed 4/26/23 5:28 PM
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Houck (3-1) took the loss Wednesday, allowing four runs on seven hits and two walks over five innings against the Orioles. He struck out two.
EDGE Analysis
Houck was able to settle down initially after allowing a run in the first inning. However, the Orioles would string together four hits to score three runs in the fifth, handing Houck his first loss of the season. The 26-year-old right-hander has a 4.50 ERA, 1.35 WHIP and 24:10 K:BB in five starts this season. He could be in store for a move to the bullpen with James Paxton's (hamstring) return looming.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Fri 4/21/23 8:00 AM
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Boston will stick with a six-man rotation through the end of its upcoming road trip, meaning Houck will make at least one more start before manager Alex Cora settles on a decision about a five-man rotation, Molly Burkhardt of MLB.com reports. Houck is tentatively expected to start next Wednesday in Baltimore.
EDGE Analysis
Brayan Bello's season debut this week gave the Red Sox six capable starters, each of whom has pitched in the previous six games, with James Paxton's return from a hamstring injury also looming. A tentative plan which would send Houck to the bullpen when everyone was healthy may have changed Thursday, when he threw a seven-inning gem against the Twins. Houck has been one of the team's most consistent starters, going at least five innings in three of four outings and never allowing more than three earned runs. Paxton's most recent rehab appearance came out of the bullpen, which suggests the club is leaning toward a long-relief role for him. That would leave Houck and Nick Pivetta, who starts Friday, battling for the No. 5 starter job.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Thu 4/20/23 5:25 PM
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Houck (3-0) earned the win Thursday, allowing three runs on six hits and one walk over seven innings against Minnesota. He struck out seven.
EDGE Analysis
Houck was sharp Thursday as he allowed just three runs, including a pair on a Willi Castro home run, through a season-high seven innings as the Red Sox cruised to an 11-5 win. Houck improves to 3-0 with a 4.29 ERA. 1.24 WHIP and 22:8 K:BB through his first four starts this season (21 innings). While Boston may still elect to move the 26-year-old right-hander to the bullpen when James Paxton (hamstring) returns, Houck made a solid case to stay in the rotation with his performance Thursday.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Mon 4/17/23 9:41 AM
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Houck is listed as Boston's starting pitcher for Thursday's game versus the Twins, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
EDGE Analysis
Houck might eventually be booted from the rotation with Brayan Bello returning from the 15-day injured list Monday and James Paxton (hamstring) not far off from being activated either, but Houck will make at least one more start as the Red Sox use a six-man rotation this week. The right-hander has been effective in his career both as a starter (3.39 ERA) and reliever (2.68 ERA) and holds a 4.50 ERA in three starts this season.
60DTanner Houck SP BOS Sat 4/15/23 12:55 AM
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Houck did not factor into the decision Friday, allowing two runs on four hits and four walks over four innings during a 5-3 win over the Angels. He struck out six.
EDGE Analysis
After retiring the first two batters of the game, Houck allowed three straight to reach with two outs, including a two-run double by Hunter Renfroe. The right-hander ended the first inning by striking out Jake Lamb and was able to work around a few baserunners en route to three scoreless frames before getting pulled. Houck failed to get through the fifth for the first time in three starts, but he did strikeout a season-high six. He currently sports a 15:7 K:BB and a 4.50 ERA.