Right-hander Tanner Houck was lit up by the Tigers last night, the latest chapter in a very frustrating season. In the aftermath of the game, manager Álex Cora wouldn’t commit to Houck getting another start. “We’ll talk about it, of course,” Cora said, per Chris Cotillo of MassLive. “I’ve got to take a look at the video and we’ve got to see what we’re gonna do. Right now, it’s too fresh. It’s too quick. We have to take a look at it and see if it’s mechanical, usage, or where we’re at.”
Houck only lasted 2 1/3 innings last night, but he allowed 11 earned runs in that time on three walks and nine hits, including two home runs. He did not record a strikeout. Shockingly, that was his second time this year allowing 11 earned runs in a start, the first coming against the Rays on April 14th.
For the whole season, he now has an 8.04 earned run average in 43 2/3 innings. It’s a sea change relative to last season. After years of oscillating between the rotation and the bullpen, he seemingly established himself as a bonafide starter in 2024. He took the ball 30 times for the Sox and logged 178 2/3 innings with a 3.12 ERA. His 20.7% strikeout rate was a tad below average but he had a solid 6.5% walk rate and strong 55.9% ground ball rate.
Everything has gone in the wrong direction so far this year. His walk rate has climbed marginally to 8.4% but his strikeouts are down to a 15.8% clip while he’s only getting grounders 48.3% of the time.
It’s a bit of a mystery as Houck says he can’t find anything physically wrong, which is backed up by the data. His velocity is actually higher than last year. For whatever reason, his splitter is way less effective, which seems to be a big part of the problem. Opponents hit .194 against it last year with a .264 slugging percentage, but those numbers are up to .425 and .475 this year. His sweeper has also declined in impact, though to a lesser degree. That pitch allowed a .230 average and .357 slug last year but .305 and .492 this year.
As Cora laid out, it’s a puzzle they will have to solve, though they may not let Houck work it out in the rotation. Currently, the club is also giving starts to Garrett Crochet, Lucas Giolito, Brayan Bello and Hunter Dobbins. Giolito is the only one in that group with an ERA above 2.78, and he’s only made three starts since coming off the IL.
The Sox also have reinforcements on the way. Walker Buehler, Richard Fitts and Kutter Crawford are each on the IL and making progress towards returning to the club. Buehler landed on the IL earlier this month due to shoulder bursitis but is expected back next week without a rehab assignment. Fitts and Crawford are a bit further away but both have been throwing lately and appear to be nearing rehab assignments. Fitts landed on the IL a month ago due to a right pectoral strain. Crawford has been on the IL all year due to patellar tendinopathy in his right knee.
As those guys return, it will be harder for Houck to continue holding a spot unless he can turn things around. That’s if the Sox even give him another start, which doesn’t seem to be guaranteed. In addition to those injury returnees, there’s also Sean Newcomb, who did a huge solid for the Sox last night. After Houck exited, he absorbed 5 2/3 innings with two earned runs allowed. He now has a 3.51 ERA on the year, working both as a starter and reliever. Cooper Criswell and Josh Winckowski are on the 40-man and putting up good numbers in Triple-A.
Given how good Houck was last year, the Sox might be tempted into giving him a chance to work it out. However, they are currently in the midst of a super tight playoff race and can only afford so much patience. Houck has had previous success as a reliever, so perhaps they could kick him back there. But on the other hand, he has clear upside as a mid-rotation starter, so perhaps they don’t want to give up on that. He does still have options and could be sent down to Triple-A to try to right the ship there. One way or another, decisions will need to be made soon.
Photo courtesy of Ken Blaze, Imagn Images
Couldnt find the A on google
Anyone know if houck allowing 11er twice in 1 yr (especially in such a short timepsan) is some kinda record?
There have only been two instances *in MLB history* where a pitcher pitched 2 1/3 innings and allowed 12 baserunners and 11 ER.
Both are Tanner Houck.
And both are this year.
Baseball
What a crazy sport
Really hung out to dry by the manager then.
Agree. Who lets a pitcher suffer through that? Of course, Tanner isn’t one of Alex’s “boys”, either.
I feel like Jason Marquis probably did it. Or Jose Lima.
It’s location… He has velocity and spin, but the splitter is staying up and the sweeper is going wide. Too few strikes, a predominance of hitters counts, and predictably bad results.
…though I would never have predicted results THIS bad.
He needs a couple weeks in the minors to find his touch again?
Trade him while his value hasn’t totally cratered
Houck to the O’s for Stowers and Norby… who says no?
I’d say the Orioles say no. They need a sure fire starter not a work in progress guy that needs to fix his mechanics.
The Marlins say no. Stowers and Norby are their guys….
You don’t trade him when has such little present value compared to last year. No one is giving much for a great arm that has to be fixed. That’s when you buy low. I’d have a talk with him and try to get him to understand it’s in his interest to go to Worcester and work without pressure although his agent won’t agree…
Probably both since Stowers and Norby are on the Marlins.
It would take some time but I could definitely pull evidence of me saying he should have been traded after last season at his peak value because he threw 40% sliders and 30% splitters and it was WHEN not IF his arm fell off and the disastrous results that usually precede a major surgery
The post game comments are the most concerning to me. It sounds like he’s just checked out.
And his mannerisms give the impression that he doesn’t really care. I know he cares, but he needs some fire. He always looks like he’s in line at the grocery store wishing he was somewhere else.
Maybe a few starts at AAA can get him going. In the meantime, let the Dobbins Era begin!!
Newcomb probably earned a start or 2 thanks to last night.
Yeah, I realize the game was all but over and there was nothing to play for-save pride, which means something- but he pitched well, all in all.
With devastating injuries to Casas and Tatum (no, I’m not saying Casas’ injury equals that of Tatum, big picture wise- far from it- the C’s will now likely enter trade and rebuild mode this off season), the Devers v Sox brass drama in full view, the Bruins being a laughing stock, and Patriots being the lone (very) flickering light, it’s been a rough go for us Boston fans, so while Newcomb’s performance last night means little in the long run, it’s at least something not horribly negative to focus on…
Hey, Cora, maybe take out your guy after he gives up 5 runs instead of 11. The managing of Houck has been very bad and I feel extremely bad for him, even if his arm is not as good. Cora has not been helping the mental side of Houck’s game.
Cora didn’t even get a guy up in the bullpen until it was 9-0. Cora needs to go for the Red Sox to have a chance to make a run at the playoffs. He has no clue how to Manage a staff….
By far one of the most Overrated Managers in Baseball.
Minors until he figures it out.
Joe – Houck has 2 options remaining, and he has under 5 years of MLB service time, so that is something the Red Sox could do.
What are apartments going for in Wochester?
If Houck has options remaining send him down when Buehler comes back, if not bullpen til he figures out whatever his problem his
Houck is a real problem. He was counted on for a good season and he looks completely lost. The biggest difference is lefties are killing him his right handed performance is ok but that split isn’t filling lefties anymore. If you throw from his arm angle lefties are going to get a good look at your pitches and you need that splitter or change to keep them honest. I’m not sure what the solution is at this point but it’s a real problem and it weakens the depth in this rotation.
I do think that Dobby, Fitts, and probably Drohan can fill in at the back of the rotation we absolutely need Buehler back and healthy and perhaps Bello can step up and become that # 2 type starter with Buehler. It hurts not to have Houck at his best but there is a lot of depth. First base is a much bigger issue imo.
He’s been great until this year
They just need to figure out what’s different
And if he is hiding any injury he won’t admit to
Id say its time to move Houck to the bullpen. As soon as they can plug the rotation.
Its now:
Crochet
Bello
Buehler
Giolito
Crawford
Dobbins
Newcomb
Fitts
Whitlock
Criswell
Winkowski
They have plenty of depth, they have the prospects to add a starter in trade, but do trade them knowing the team has turmoil in the clubhouse or do you ride with whats in place and wait until ’26 to address major changes in the roster?
Whitlock isn’t going back to starting.
He would honestly be a good candidate to should he find a new employer, he has a nice contract, 3 years / 26M of club options. I would think there could be a few teams interested in stretching Whitlock out to start ballgames.
How about Devers and Whitlock to the Yankees for Garrett Cole.
That would be an interesting trade.
Trade him to the Mets. They will have him fixed within two weeks.
Dobbins deserves Houcks spot in the rotation. At least he keeps the team competitive in his starts and isn’historically awful. Launch Houck into low orbit, or Worcester. Either way.