Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Earns win in efficient outing
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Houck (9-10) earned the win Monday, allowing one hit and one walk across five scoreless innings against the Blue Jays. He did not record a strikeout.
Houck was efficient Monday, needing just 57 pitches to complete five frames while allowing only two Blue Jays to reach base. It was the first performance this season where Houck, who came into the game recording a career-low 8.0 K/9, did not record a strikeout. The Red Sox have been careful with Houck, who has been held to 60 and 57 pitches over his last two starts since missing two weeks with shoulder fatigue. The righty has performed as Boston's best starter this season, posting a 3.12 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 154 strikeouts across 178.2 innings and 30 starts. He is in line to make one more turn in the rotation this season at home against Tampa, assuming the Red Sox don't elect to end his campaign a bit early.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Limited to four frames Wednesday
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Houck allowed one run on four hits and no walks while striking out four batters over four innings in a no-decision against Tampa Bay on Wednesday.
Houck was cleared to start for the first time in two weeks following a bout of right shoulder fatigue, but the Red Sox elected to treat him with caution and pull him after 60 pitches despite an effective performance. The right-hander had good control in throwing 70 percent of his pitches for strikes, and he yielded just a second-inning run. If he came out of the outing without any setbacks, Houck could have a longer leash in his next start, which lines up to come in Toronto next week.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Scratched from start
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Houck was scratched from his scheduled start Friday versus the Yankees due to right shoulder fatigue, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports.
Houck was scheduled to pitch Friday on eight days of rest in order to combat what manager Alex Cora labeled a "dead arm" phase, but the 28-year-old righty looks like he will need even more time off between starts. Richard Fitts will make a spot start in Houck's stead Friday.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Confirmed for Friday's start
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Houck (arm) is listed as Friday's starter against the Yankees.
Manager Alex Cora noted Tuesday that Houck had been going through a "dead arm" phase that resulted in his start getting pushed back. The right-hander will end up getting eight days between starts. He is 0-2 with a 4.25 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and 26 strikeouts in 29.2 innings over his last five starts. Houck has logged at least five innings in each of his last 10 starts.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Tentatively lined up for Friday
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Red Sox manager Alex Cora said Tuesday that Houck (arm) remains tentatively lined up to make his next start Friday against the Yankees, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports.
Cora also provided more specifics on what caused Houck to be pushed back, noting that the pitcher is basically going through a "dead arm" phase during which he had trouble bouncing back from his last outing. It sounds like Houck starting Friday in the Bronx isn't set in stone, so his fantasy managers should have a contingency plan in place, if possible.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Next start pushed to Friday
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Houck isn't expected to make his next start until Friday against the Yankees in New York after manager Alex Cora said Saturday that the right-hander will be pushed to the back of the Red Sox's pitching schedule, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
The Red Sox want to build in some more rest for Houck in advance of his next start while the 28-year-old has largely struggled since the All-Star break. In his nine outings in the second half, Houck has turned in four quality starts while pitching to a 4.78 ERA, 1.46 WHIP and 38:21 K:BB over 52.2 innings. In order to facilitate the extended break for Houck, the Red Sox will call up a pitcher from the minors to start Sunday's series finale versus the White Sox, while rotation members Brayan Bello, Kutter Crawford, Nick Pivetta and Cooper Criswell all appear set to make their next turns before Houck takes the hill again.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Sharp in no-decision
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Houck allowed three hits and two walks over six scoreless innings in a no-decision Friday against the Tigers. He struck out six.
After allowing six runs in a loss to Arizona in his last start, Houck bounced back with a scoreless effort, notching his fourth quality start in his last five outings. Overall, the 28-year-old Houck is 8-9 on the year with a 3.12 ERA, 1.17 WHIP and 143:46 K:BB across innings this season. He's currently lined up to face the Mets on the road next week in his next start.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Stumbles against D-Backs
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Houck (8-9) took the loss Sunday against Arizona, allowing six runs on seven hits and four walks across six innings. He struck out two.
Houck's streak of three straight quality starts came to an end Sunday, as he surrendered six runs for the third time this season -- all of which have come in his last 10 starts. During that stretch, Houck has walked three or more batters six times. He's also logged three or fewer strikeouts six times after having done so just once in his first 16 appearances. The right-hander's ERA sits at 3.23 after 158.2 innings pitched. He's tentatively scheduled to face the Tigers in Detroit next time out.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Punches out eight in quality start
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Houck allowed three runs (two earned) on eight hits and no walks while striking out eight batters over six innings in a no-decision against Houston on Monday.
Houck held the Astros scoreless until the fourth inning, when he allowed a pair of runs (one of which was unearned). The right-hander surrendered another run in the sixth but was able to complete that frame for his third consecutive quality start. Houck departed in line for the win, but a late Astros rally stuck him with a no-decision. He hasn't picked up a victory in any of his past six outings despite notching four quality starts in that span.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Another quality start Wednesday
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Houck came away with a no-decision in Wednesday's 9-7 extra-inning loss to the Rangers, giving up two runs on six hits and two walks over 6.2 innings. He struck out three.
The right-hander left the mound after 108 pitches (64 strikes) with a 4-2 lead, but the Boston bullpen cost Houck his ninth win of the season. Instead, he had to settle for his 17th quality start, tying him with Luis Castillo, Seth Lugo, Cole Ragans and Zack Wheeler for fourth in the majors. While he's still giving the Red Sox some length in the rotation, Houck's overall performance had faded as the summer has worn on, and since the beginning of July he's posted a 3.92 ERA, 1.49 WHIP and poor 22:21 K:BB through 39 innings. He lines up to make his next start on the road early next week in Houston.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Logs quality start in no-decision
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Houck did not factor into the decision in Friday's 8-4 loss to the Astros, allowing one run on four hits and three walks with one strikeout over six innings.
Houck allowed a run in the first inning but rebounded for five scoreless frames before departing with a 3-1 lead that the bullpen couldn't preserve. He generated only two swinging strikes on 82 pitches but also limited the Astros to four hard-hit balls. The 28-year-old's command remains worth monitoring, as he has posted a 19:19 K:BB in six starts between July and August. On the year, he owns a 3.02 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 124:38 K:BB across 140 innings and lines up to face the Orioles next week.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Hit hard by Rangers
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Houck (8-8) took the loss Saturday, coughing up six runs on eight hits and two walks over five-plus innings as the Red Sox fell 7-4 to the Rangers. He struck out seven.
The right-hander appeared to be firmly in control to begin the game, blanking Texas through three innings, but the wheels came off for Houck in the fourth as Jonah Heim and Leody Taveras launched back-to-back homers off him. It's only the second time this season Houck has served up multiple homers in a start, but Saturday's outing marked the fifth straight in which he issued multiple free passes, and he sports a rough 4.78 ERA, 1.63 WHIP and 18:16 K:BB through 26.1 innings over that stretch. He'll try to turn things around in his next outing, which is scheduled to come at home next weekend against the Astros.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Shaky control in loss
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Houck (8-7) took the loss Sunday against the Yankees, allowing four runs (three earned) on five hits and four walks while striking out two in six innings.
The Yankees jumped on Houck early with three runs in the first frame and tacked on another in the fourth. Houck gave up four of his five hits in the opening inning and then settled in for his third straight outing reaching six innings. Despite attaining this mark, Houck has shown some regression with his command, posting an 11:14 K:BB in 21.1 innings in July. He's struck out two or fewer batters in three of his last four starts after only having done that once in his first 17 starts of the year. Despite all of this, Houck is still eighth in baseball with a 2.79 ERA to go with a 1.11 WHIP and 116:33 K:BB in 129 innings. He lines up to face the Rangers on the road over the weekend his next time out.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Coughs up 10 hits
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Houck allowed four runs on 10 hits and three walks over six innings in a no-decision Monday. He struck out two during the extra-innings loss against the Rockies.
Colorado scored all four runs against Houck during the third inning, starting with a two-run shot by Charlie Blackmon. It was the second time Houck gave up double-digit hits this season and first since April 12. Despite the poor outing, he still owns an impressive 2.71 ERA with a 114:29 K:BB through 123 innings this season. Houck's been less efficient as of late, posting a 4.50 ERA with a lackluster 25:14 K:BB over his last six outings. His next start is lined up to be at home against the Yankees.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Shuts down Oakland's offense
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Houck (8-6) earned the win over the Athletics on Thursday, allowing two hits and issuing three walks while striking out six batters over six scoreless innings.
The A's managed just two hits (both singles) off Houck and didn't get a runner to second base until the sixth frame. Houck was pulled after that inning with 103 pitches and having recorded his 14th quality start of the campaign -- tied for fourth-most in the majors. The right-hander also ranks fifth among qualified pitchers with a 2.54 ERA and 13th with a 1.03 WHIP.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Struggles after rain delay
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Houck came away with a no-decision in Friday's 5-3 extra-inning win over the Yankees, giving up three runs (one earned) on two hits and four walks over 3.1 innings. He struck out one.
The right-hander was looking sharp early, but a 38-minute rain delay in the middle of the third inning caused Houck to lose his focus, and he fell apart completely in the fourth. He's winless in his last four starts, stumbling to a 5.40 ERA, 1.50 WHIP and 17:8 K:BB through 20 innings over that stretch, but he figures to bounce back in his next outing, which lines up to come at home next week against Oakland.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Falls short of quality start
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Houck didn't factor into the decision Tuesday against Toronto, allowing three runs (two earned) on six hits and two walks across 5.2 innings. He struck out five.
Houck ended up one out shy of a sixth consecutive quality start, getting pulled at 103 pitches after yielding an RBI single to Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Houck has struck out five or more batters in seven straight starts and owns a 4-2 record with a 2.17 ERA across 45.2 innings during that stretch. He's scheduled to close out a two-start week Sunday at Cincinnati.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Impressive in win
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Houck (6-5) allowed two runs on three hits and struck out nine over seven innings to earn the win Thursday over the White Sox. He did not issue a walk.
Houck carried a no-hitter through five innings, though the White Sox managed to tag him for one run in each of the sixth and seventh frames. The right-hander remains dialed in, having allowed just four runs over 27 innings across his last four starts. Houck is at a 1.91 ERA, 0.92 WHIP and 84:15 K:BB over 85 innings through 13 starts this season. His next start is projected to be a challenging one at home versus the Phillies.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Fans seven in no-decision
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Houck did not factor into the decision Sunday against Milwaukee, allowing one earned run on seven hits and one walk through six innings. He struck out seven.
Houck was excellent yet again, marking his third consecutive start allowing one earned run or fewer. The 27-year-old has not allowed a home run since April 12, and his microscopic 0.14 HR/9 leads the league. Houck (4-5) now owns a 1.90 ERA and 0.99 WHIP in 71 innings this year. He is tentatively scheduled for a home start against Detroit next weekend.
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Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Dominates Rays
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Houck (4-5) yielded two hits and a walk over seven shutout frames Monday, striking out five and earning a win over Tampa Bay.
Houck was terrific Monday and didn't let any baserunners reach scoring position. It was his fourth scoreless start of the year, dropping his season ERA to 1.94 through 65 frames. Houck entered Monday's start on a four-game losing streak over his previous five starts. However, he registered an impressive 2.87 ERA during that span. Houck's next start is projected to be at home against the Brewers this weekend.
