Houck (1-0) picked up the win Saturday, allowing two hits and three walks over 5.2 scoreless innings in a 4-0 victory over the Twins. He struck out four.

EDGE Analysis

It was a much better performance than in his season debut, but Houck still had some trouble finding the plate as he issued three free passes for the second straight start, leaving him with a 7:6 K:BB through his first nine innings of 2022. The Red Sox are expecting big things from the 25-year-old, but so far he has yet to flash the dominance he displayed at times as a rookie.

Houck didn't factor into the decision during Sunday's 4-3 win against the Yankees, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks with three strikeouts in 3.1 innings.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was tethered to two-run lead before he took the mound but surrendered baserunners in each of the first four innings that came around to score in the third and fourth. Finding the zone was an issue as only 57.7 percent of the 25-year-old's 78 pitches went for strikes, though Houck owns a respectable 1.08 WHIP across 86 innings in his career. The sophomore is looking to build on a strong rookie campaign and will look to get on track Saturday against Minnesota at Fenway.

Houck allowed one run on five hits and struck out four over four innings in Wednesday's spring training game against Atlanta.

EDGE Analysis

In his third Grapefruit League start, Houck had plenty of run support early and helped himself by not walking anyone. He entered the contest with eight bases on balls over his first five spring innings. Still, he and manager Alex Cora noted improvement is still needed, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. The 25-year-old right-hander had a wild pitch and hit two batters, which contributed to a lot of traffic. Cora stressed the need to attack the zone more and made note of mechanics that need to be ironed out. Houck will have one more start to prepare for his regular-season debut, the third game of the season against the Yankees.

Houck allowed three runs on two hits and five walks while striking out four over 2.2 innings in Friday's spring training start against the Braves.

EDGE Analysis

Houck was roughed up in his second Grapefruit League start and has walked eight over five spring innings. Despite the results, Houck did not sound too concerned when speaking with Ian Browne of MLB.com following the game. The right-hander stressed the importance of getting in the work over outcomes, and he developed a plan to work on the issues that led to the results. "Felt good. Obviously out of the stretch, I'm getting a little too rotational," Houck said. "I talked with [pitching coach Dave Bush] about it already. Get back in tomorrow and look at some video and just re-sort things out and make a game plan going forward with it." He's scheduled to start the third game of the regular season, a Sunday night primetime meeting with the Yankees in New York.

Houck allowed one run on one hit and three walks while striking out two over 2.2 innings in Sunday's spring-training game against the Orioles.

EDGE Analysis

Houck allowed a home run to the second batter he faced, Ramon Urias, then walked three and could not get out of the third inning as planned. He described it to Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com as knocking off the rust. "You can throw as many (live batting practices) and bullpens as you want but getting in the game situation is definitely a little bit different. First one's out of the way. I felt good. Mixed in all the pitches." Houck, who pitched as both a reliever and starter in 2021, received the news that he will open the season in the starting rotation. The right-hander will likely pitch the third game of the season, April 10, in primetime against the Yankees.

Manager Alex Cora indicated Sunday that Houck is all but guaranteed a spot in Boston's starting rotation to begin the season, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Cora said Houck wasn't a lock for the rotation at the start of spring training last week, but the young right-hander is apparently now a safe bet to open as a starter for Boston. He started in 13 of 18 appearances last season and pitched well with a 3.52 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and 87:21 K:BB across 69 innings.

Houck isn't a lock to be in the Opening Day rotation, but he is being stretched out this spring to help with innings early on, according to manager Alex Cora, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.

EDGE Analysis

This vague report is a good reminder that Boston already has five veteran starters on the roster, with Houck and Garrett Whitlock representing the team's young, high-upside alternatives. Houck's devastating fastball/slider combination should allow him to have success in any role, so he should retain value in deeper leagues regardless of whether he's a starter, swing man or reliever. However fantasy managers need to be aware that he may not operate as a traditional starter all season.

Houck (1-0) allowed one run on two hits and no walks while striking out five in five innings to earn the win against the Rays on Friday in Game 2 of the ALDS.

EDGE Analysis

Houck entered Friday's contest after the Rays scored five runs in the bottom of the first inning, and the right-hander held Tampa Bay in check while helping to preserve the rest of Boston's bullpen. The right-hander has lasted at least five innings in two of his last three appearances, and he was rewarded with the first postseason win of his career in Game 2 on Friday.

Houck will start Saturday's game against the Nationals, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck has pitched out of the bullpen in each of his last three appearances, and he posted a 4.26 ERA and 1.42 WHIP in 6.1 innings during that time. He tossed two innings against the Orioles on Tuesday and will pitch on short rest in Saturday's matchup against Washington.

Houck will be available out of the bullpen as early as Saturday, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck made his previous start Wednesday and gave up three runs on three hits with seven strikeouts and four walks over 4.1 innings, and he'll move to a relief role since the Red Sox won't require a fifth starter until Oct. 2, which is the penultimate game of the regular season. The 25-year-old has a 3.75 ERA, 1.20 WHIP and 70:16 K:BB across 57.2 major-league innings this season, and he figures to play a significant role for Boston down the stretch, even though he's not expected to start.