Houck's start against the Rays has been moved from Saturday to Sunday, Chris Cotillo of MassLive.com reports.

EDGE Analysis

Friday's game between Boston and Tampa Bay was rained out, triggering a rescheduling of projected starters. Complicating matters was Saturday's scheduled doubleheader. Garrett Whitlock, Friday's starter, was moved to the first game of Saturday's doubleheader while the second game is TBA.

Houck (3-4) allowed four runs on six hits over four innings Sunday, striking out four and taking a loss against the Diamondbacks.

EDGE Analysis

All four runs against Houck came in the first two frames, including Corbin Carroll's two-run shot in the first inning. Houck has taken a loss in four straight decisions, posting an unsightly 5.97 ERA during that six-start stretch. He now owns a 5.30 ERA after failing to complete five innings for the second time this season. Houck is currently lined up to make his next start at home against the Rays.

Manager Alex Cora confirmed Wednesday in a radio interview with "Gresh and Fauria" on WEEI 93.7 that Houck will remain in the starting rotation, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.

EDGE Analysis

Houck pitched well in his start against the Angels on Monday with six innings of one-run baseball and eight strikeouts in a no-decision. The right-hander will remain a starting option for Boston in the place of Corey Kluber, with Kluber being moved to the bullpen for the foreseeable future. Houck has had his own struggles in 2023 -- the strong outing against Los Angeles lowered his ERA to 4.99 over 48.2 innings -- and while he has shown the ability to miss bats, his struggles against lineups the second and third time through an order make him a risky fantasy option when he's on the mound.

Houck allowed a run on three hits and two walks while striking out eight over six innings in a no-decision versus the Angels on Monday.

EDGE Analysis

Houck has had some trouble working through the order multiple times, but he set down 11 of the last 12 batters he faced Monday and erased the one exception with a double play. This was his best outing of the year, though he's still winless over his last five starts and has just two quality starts in nine contests. Houck has a 4.99 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 46:17 K:BB through 48.2 innings this season. With off days Thursday and next Monday, the Red Sox may not need a sixth starter until they have a doubleheader June 3 versus the Rays. That could lead to Houck being available out of the bullpen over the weekend if Garrett Whitlock (elbow) returns as expected Saturday versus the Diamondbacks.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.