AUGUST 17, 2021 • NESN.COM
TANNER HOUCK #89 - PITCHER - BOSTON RED SOX
9-10 W-L •
1.14 WHIP •
3.12 ERA
9-10 W-L
1.14 WHIP
3.12 ERA
Tanner Houck 'Pretty Happy' With Ability To Make In-Game Adjustments The Boston Red Sox fell to the New York Yankees on Tuesday, but Red Sox starter Tanner Houck was pleased with his start in Game 1.
Early exit in no-decision Houck didn't factor into the decision in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, allowing two runs on five hits over four innings as the Red Sox fell, 5-3. He...
Impact The rookie right-hander didn't pitch poorly and tossed 39 of 58 pitches for strikes before getting a fairly quick hook, but after Houck escaped trouble in the fourth inning of a 2-2 game, Boston manager Alex Cora took no chances and went to his bullpen. Unfortunately the move backfired, as Garrett Whitlock and Josh Taylor combined to cough up three runs in the fifth. Houck may not be done bouncing between the big-league roster and Triple-A, as the Red Sox have scheduled off days coming up Thursday and Monday, but when he does make his next start he'll take a 3.12 ERA and sharp 46:7 K:BB through 34.2 innings to the mound with him.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Yanks overtake Red Sox for wild card with doubleheader sweep
Luis Gil posted his third straight scoreless start to begin his career, Luke Voit and Giancarlo Stanton homered, and the New York Yankees beat Boston 2-0 to sweep a doubleheaderAUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Returns for scheduled start Houck was recalled as expected ahead of his scheduled start in the first game of Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports.
Impact Houck keeps getting sent down between his starts, but that's merely a matter of the Red Sox taking advantage of roster construction rules to effectively have a 27-man roster. Houck is clearly an MLB-caliber pitcher, as evidenced by his 2.93 ERA, 34.9 percent strikeout rate and 5.6 percent walk rate across eight outings this season. The main knock on him is that he's averaged less than four innings per appearance, which has prevented him from earning a win, but he's been remarkable on a per-inning basis. Given that he's merely up as the extra man for the doubleheader, it's possible he gets demoted yet again following his start, but he hasn't pitched in the minors in over a month and is unlikely to do so any time soon.
AUGUST 17, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
LEADING OFF: Red Sox-Yanks twinbill, Cabrera tries for 500
The Yankees host the Red Sox in a day-night doubleheader as the longtime rivals jostle for playoff positionAUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Houck expected to start for the Red Sox against Yankees
The Yankees will send Jordan Montgomery to the mound Tuesday and the Red Sox will give Tanner Houck the startAUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
LEADING OFF: Red Sox-Yanks twinbill, Cabrera tries for 500
The Yankees host the Red Sox in a day-night doubleheader as the longtime rivals jostle for playoff positionAUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Cole sharp in return from COVID-19, Yanks top Angels 2-1
Gerrit Cole pitched two-hit ball into the sixth inning and struck out nine in his return from the COVID-19 injured list, and Joey Gallo hit a two-run homer as the New York Yankees...AUGUST 17, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Starting in Tuesday's doubleheader Houck will return from Triple-A Worcester to start during Tuesday's doubleheader against the Yankees, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports.
Impact It's hardly a surprise, as the young right-hander was once again demoted after his last start Thursday, which has now happened after each of his past three big-league starts while remaining a regular piece of the rotation. Houck figures to return to the minors again after starting in the twin bill as the Red Sox are likely to continue taking advantage of the roster rules. The 25-year-old has a 2.93 ERA, 1.14 WHIP and 44:7 K:BB in 30.2 innings over eight major-league appearances this season.
AUGUST 15, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Temporarily sent down yet again Houck was optioned to Triple-A Worcester on Friday, though he's expected to return to pitch Tuesday against the Yankees, Chris Cotillo of The Springfield Republican reports.
Impact The Red Sox have taken advantage of the league's roster rules to effectively use a 27-man roster in recent weeks, as Houck has now been optioned after each of his last three big-league starts but returned each time without making a minor-league appearance. He gave up a career-high four runs (three earned) in five innings in his latest outing Thursday against the Rays and was saddled with the loss, though it was far from a terrible performance, as he struck out eight batters while walking none. Alex Verdugo returned from the restricted list in a corresponding move.
AUGUST 13, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Alex Cora Reveals Plan For Red Sox Starting Pitcher Tanner Houck Boston Red Sox manager revealed pitcher Tanner Houck won't remain with Boston in the short-term, but expects him to be around when needed.
AUGUST 12, 2021 • NESN.COM
Franco, Zunino power AL East-leading Rays past Red Sox 8-1
Wander Franco hit a tiebreaking two-run homer in the sixth inning, Drew Rasmussen threw four strong innings in a spot start for Tampa Bay and the Rays added to their lead in the AL...AUGUST 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Recalled ahead of start Houck was recalled as expected ahead of his scheduled start Thursday against the Rays.
Impact Houck's last four outings have all come at the big-league level, though he's been optioned and recalled twice during that stretch as the Red Sox take advantage of roster rules to effectively carry an extra player. Houck has been far too good in his limited MLB sample to deserve a demotion under normal circumstances, as he's cruised to a well-supported 2.45 ERA in 25.2 innings, striking out 36 while walking just seven. Phillips Valdez was optioned in a corresponding move.
AUGUST 12, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Rasmussen scheduled to start for Rays at Red Sox
The Red Sox will roll out Tanner Houck to the mound Thursday and the Rays will give Drew Rasmussen the startAUGUST 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Bosox rout Rays 20-8 in their highest-scoring game since '15
Bobby Dalbec drove in a career-high five runs, Xander Bogaerts and Hunter Renfroe each had four RBIs and the Boston Red Sox routed the Tampa Bay Rays 20-8AUGUST 12, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Tanner Houck to start for Boston Red Sox on Thursday in series finale vs. Rays Tanner Houck will start for the Red Sox on Thursday.
AUGUST 12, 2021 • MASSLIVE.COM
Rejoining rotation Thursday The Red Sox are expected to recall Houck from Triple-A Worcester to start Thursday's game against the Rays, Christopher Smith of The Springfield Republican reports.
Impact Boston hasn't officially announced that Houck will slot back into the rotation for the series finale, but there's little doubt the team is keeping a spot open for the rookie after manager Alex Cora announced Wednesday that Garrett Richards would transition to a bullpen role moving forward. Though the Red Sox have taken advantage of Houck having minor-league options remaining by swapping him to and from the active roster based on their schedule, the contest movement from Worcester to Boston hasn't phased the right-hander. Through his seven outings (five starts) with the Red Sox this season, Houck has submitted a 2.45 ERA, 1.13 WHIP and a 36:7 K:BB in 25.2 innings.
AUGUST 11, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Returns to minors Houck was returned to Triple-A Worcester following Saturday's game in Toronto, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Impact The 27th man in Saturday's doubleheader is removed from the active roster following his start. High pitch counts aside, Houck has undoubtedly been one of Boston's most effective starting pitchers since the All-Star break, so he figures to pitch again on regular rest for the scuffling Red Sox.
AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Strikes out six in no-decision Houck allowed one run on three hits and two walks with six strikeouts through 3.2 innings, taking a no-decision in Saturday's 2-1 win over the Blue Jays.
Impact Houck struck out four of the first five batters he faced Saturday night, but was bedeviled by a pitch count that got up to 74 through 3.2 innings. The only damage against his line came when Josh Taylor entered the game and gave up a single to Breyvic Valera that cashed one of Houck's runners. Even though the former Missouri Tiger has not gone deeper than the fifth in any of his five starts this season, he has struck out six or more batters in four of those five appearances. With Martin Perez's recent move to the bullpen and the struggles of Garrett Richards, Houck could feasibly stick around in the Boston rotation if he continues to pile up the punchouts. He could just as easily be jettisoned back to Triple-A Worcester to make room for a fresh arm after Saturday's double-header. Either way, his performances of late have given Alex Cora and crew a lot to think about.
AUGUST 8, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Red Sox Turn To Tanner Houck Look For Doubleheader Split Vs. Blue Jays The Boston Red Sox look to secure a doubleheader split with the Toronto Blue Jays on Saturday night with Tanner Houck on the hill.
AUGUST 7, 2021 • NESN.COM
Red Sox beat Blue Jays 2-1 in 8 to earn doubleheader split
Jonathan Araúz singled home the tiebreaking run in the eighth inning and the Boston Red Sox beat Toronto 2-1 Saturday night to split a doubleheader with the Blue JaysAUGUST 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Struggling Red Sox put slugger Martinez on COVID-19 list
The Boston Red Sox have put slugger JAUGUST 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Called up ahead of start Houck was recalled by the Red Sox ahead of his scheduled start in the second half of Saturday's doubleheader against the Blue Jays, Pete Abraham of The Boston Globe reports.
Impact Houck will be up as merely the 27th man for the twin bill, so it's possible he returns to the minors at the end of the day. His last three outings have all come at the big-league level, however, and he's allowed just one earned run in 11.2 innings while striking out 18 batters over that stretch, so the Red Sox have plenty of reason to keep him around.
AUGUST 7, 2021 • ROTOWIRE
Blue Jays use 9-run 5th to beat skidding Red Sox 12-4
Lourdes Gurriel Jr. hit a two-run homer, Teoscar Hernández had three hits and three RBIs, and the Toronto Blue Jays used a nine-run fifth inning to beat Boston 12-4, handing the sk...AUGUST 7, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
Guerrero hits 3-run homer out of Fenway as Jays rout Red Sox
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. hit a three-run homer all the way out of Fenway Park, Hyun Jin Ryu held Boston to two hits over six innings and the Toronto Blue Jays routed the Red Sox 13-1JULY 30, 2021 • ASSOCIATED PRESS
