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Player Outlook
After bouncing back-and-forth between starting and relieving the previous two seasons, Tanner Houck was used exclusively as a starter by the Red Sox in 2023. The results were middling, with Houck finishing with an ERA over 5.00 and not posting an ERA below 4.00 in any month. His strikeout rate (21.4 percent) was also below the league average. Houck generates lots of grounders (53 percent) and does a good job of avoiding the long ball. However, he's always had problems with left-handed batters and usually gets worse as the game moves along, attributes which scream reliever. Whether the Red Sox go that route with the right-hander or give him another shot to start in 2024 isn't clear, and unless he's used as the closer (unlikely) he's probably not going to have much fantasy value in either role.

Fantasy Stats

Year fpts
Fantasy Points
fpts/g
Fantasy Points per Game
ip
Innings Pitched
w
Wins
l
Losses
sv
Saves
so
Strikeouts
bb
Base on Balls (Walk)
era
Earned Run Average
whip
Walks and Hits Allowed Per Inning
2024 0.00 0.00
2023 164.57.8 106.0 6 10 99 41 5.01 1.37
2022 1815.7 60.0 5 4 8 56 22 3.15 1.18
3y Avg. 160.56.7 78.3 4 6 3 81 28 4.14 1.25
Projections Powered by
Fantasy Performance by Week
17%
Roster
6%
Start
#122
SP Rank

Fantasy News

  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Will open season in rotation

    Houck has made the Red Sox's Opening Day rotation, Chad Jennings of The Athletic reports. Manager Alex Cora has settled on Houck and Garrett Whitlock for the final two spots in his rotation. Houck has been arguably the club's best starter this spring, having posted a 2.40 ERA and 16:3 K:BB over 15 frames. The 27-year-old has always had trouble with left-handed batters, so he will likely have to show improvement in that regard if he wants to keep a rotation spot all season.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Fights mechanics in fourth outing

    Houck allowed one run on two hits while striking out three over 3.1 innings in Tuesday's spring game against St. Louis. Houck pitched the middle innings in what amounted to his fourth starter-length appearance; he's actually started one game and pitched middle innings in three others. There were some issues Tuesday, such as hitting a batter, spiking a pitch and leaving a pitch middle-middle that was crushed for a home run, but the right-hander didn't walk a batter. Throwing strikes consistently has been the focus this spring for Houck, who appears to have pitched well enough to claim a spot in the rotation. Through 11.1 Grapefruit League innings, the right-hander has given up two runs on six hits and two walks while striking out 12.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Throwing strikes

    Houck allowed one run on three hits and one walk while striking out four over three innings in Thursday's spring game against Atlanta. Houck followed starter Nick Pivetta and looked sharp during his third Grapefruit League appearance. "He's throwing more strikes, which is important," Red Sox manager Alex Cora told Julian McWilliams of The Boston Globe. "His stuff is a little bit better compared to last year at this point." Houck, who had a 21.4 strikeout percentage in 2023, is up to 31.0 percent this spring. He had been competing for one available rotation slot, but with Lucas Giolito (elbow) out of the rotation for now, there's another slot available for Houck, who is competing with Garrett Whitlock, Josh Winckowski and Cooper Criswell.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Another strong bid for rotation

    Houck allowed one hit and one walk while striking out five over three scoreless innings in Saturday's spring game against the Nationals. Houck followed starter Brayan Bello and easily navigated the fourth through sixth innings. This was his second Grapefruit League outing; he pitched two perfect innings in a start last Monday. So far, so good for Houck, who's thrown five scoreless frames in his competition with Garrett Whitlock and Josh Winckowski for the final rotation spot.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Two perfect innings Monday

    Houck threw two scoreless innings in Monday's Grapefruit League start against the Phillies. Houck induced three groundouts, two infield pop flies and one line-drive out over two perfect innings. The performance was a good first step toward securing the final spot in the rotation. "We played good defense behind him," Boston manager Alex Cora told Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe following the game. "That's what it's going to take with him. He can pound that sinker down to righties and we have to make plays." Houck is healthier than he was last spring, when he came off back surgery. He's in the mix for the last rotation spot along with Garrett Whitlock, and to a lesser extent, Josh Winckowski. In reality, Boston may need more than five starters early in a schedule that has them playing 23 of 25 days in five cities. The Red Sox are not expected to deploy a six-man rotation, but an extra starter could be needed during April depending on how hard the rotation works. Both Houck and Whitlock will be built up to five-plus innings, so they'll be available in any role.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Role not yet known

    Houck is preparing as a starter but could be needed as a reliever if the Red Sox trade closer Kenley Jansen, Peter Abraham of the Boston Globe reports. Houck will begin spring training on a starter's track, but he'll be one of seven pitchers with a chance of making the rotation. Those that lose out will head to the bullpen. Boston could eventually need a new closer, as Jansen's name has popped up in trade rumors the past week, and Houck gained experience in that role in 2022. The right-hander would prefer to start though, and he used the offseason to improve his arsenal by adding horizontal break to his slider, get more action on his sinker and tinker with his splitter, a pitch he threw only 11 percent of the time last year. In 21 starts last season, Houck went 6-10 with a 5.01 ERA and career-high 1.2 HR/9 over 106 innings.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Ends year on a high note

    Houck (6-10) earned the win Sunday, allowing one hit and three walks over six scoreless innings against Baltimore. He struck out six. On the final day of the regular season, Houck delivered one of his better outings of the campaign, blanking the Orioles through six innings after allowing nine runs (eight earned) over his previous two starts (seven innings). The 27-year-old Houck will finish an up-and-down year with a 5.01 ERA, 1.37 WHIP and 99 strikeouts through 21 starts (106 innings). While the Red Sox could upgrade their starting pitching before the 2024 season, Houck seems to have the inside track to a spot in the rotation on Opening Day.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Struggles against Tampa

    Houck (5-10) took the loss Tuesday, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits over three innings against the Rays. He struck out two. Houck struggled from the outset Tuesday, allowing three runs in the opening inning before the Rays tacked on another four runs in the third. The 27-year-old right-hander had looked better of late, allowing just two runs over his prior two outings (10 innings). Overall, Houck's ERA is up to 5.31 with a 1.41 WHIP and 93:38 K:BB through 20 starts (100 innings) this season. He'll likely get one more chance to end his season on a high note, as Houck's currently lined up to pitch in Boston's season finale this weekend against Baltimore.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Start postponed

    Houck's scheduled start Wednesday was pushed back due to inclement weather. The Red Sox and Yankees will play a doubleheader Thursday, and Houck is slated to start in Game 1. The 27-year-old righty will be looking for a bounce-back performance after surrendering nine runs over 10.1 innings across his last two starts.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Bounced by O's

    Houck (4-9) took the loss Friday, coughing up five runs on eight hits and two walks over 5.1 innings as the Red Sox were routed 11-2 by the Orioles. He struck out five. The right-hander held Baltimore off the board for three innings before a Ryan O'Hearn solo shot in the fourth cracked open the floodgates. Houck has struggled since his return to the rotation, posting a 6.05 ERA, 1.66 WHIP and 16:8 K:BB through 19.1 innings in four starts, and while the Red Sox remain on the fringes of the wild-card picture, they're more likely to stick with the 27-year-old in the name of his future development rather than shift him to the bullpen. Houck's next start lines up for a meeting with the Yankees next week at Fenway Park.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Escapes with fourth win

    Houck (4-8) picked up the win Saturday, giving up four runs on seven hits and a walk over five-plus innings in Boston's 9-5 win over Kansas City. He struck out five. The right-hander cruised through five innings before hitting a wall in the sixth, loading the bases with nobody out on two singles and a hit-by-pitch. Houck then had to watch all three baserunners come around to score after he'd left the mound, but fortunately for the Red Sox, they'd already scored all nine of their runs at that point. It's Houck's first win since April 20, snapping an eight-decision losing streak, and in three starts since being activated from the IL in late August he's stumbled to a 5.14 ERA, 1.57 WHIP and 11:6 K:BB through 14 innings. With Boston trying to stay alive in the wild-card race, it's not clear how patient the team can afford to be with the 27-year-old, but for the moment his next start is lined up for a home series next weekend against the Orioles.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Saddled with loss

    Houck (3-8) was the pitcher of record in Sunday's 7-4 loss to the Dodgers, allowing one run on five hits and two walks over four innings. He struck out four. Houck scattered seven baserunners on the afternoon, with James Outman's solo home run in the fourth inning representing the only run he allowed. The right-hander kept Boston in the game but threw 80 pitches and was removed after four frames, with Chris Murphy piggybacking him and getting shelled for six runs in his four innings out of the bullpen. Houck will take a 4.93 ERA into his next start, which is currently expected to fall next weekend in Kansas City.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Takes loss in first game back

    Houck (3-7) took the loss Tuesday, allowing three runs on four hits and three walks over five innings against the Astros. He struck out two. After a two-month stint on the IL recovering from being hit in the face by a comebacker, Houck returned to the mound against Houston on Tuesday. Despite the lengthy absence, Houck unfortunately picked up right where he left off, taking his seventh loss of the season and extending his win drought to 118 days (10 starts). Though he was limited to 69 pitches in Tuesday's return, fantasy managers should expect Houck's pitch count to increase over the next few starts. However, he's lined up to take on the Dodgers next time out, making him an unattractive option in nearly all fantasy formats.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Activated from IL

    Houck (face) was activated from the injured list Tuesday ahead of his start against the Astros, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. The right-hander has been out since mid-June after suffering facial fractures on a comebacker, requiring surgery. The 27-year-old has been deemed ready to return after a three-start rehab assignment, with Houck seemingly sealing his activation by tossing 59 pitches across four scoreless frames in his most recent minor-league outing. Chris Murphy was optioned in a corresponding move. Houck has another tough matchup tentatively lined up against the Dodgers this weekend, but he could be a solid streaming option next week in Kansas City, assuming he sticks in the rotation.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Making return Tuesday at Houston

    Houck (face) will be reinstated from the 15-day injured list to start Tuesday against the Astros, Jen McCaffrey of The Athletic reports. The right-hander has been sidelined since mid-June after being struck in the face by a comebacker and requiring surgery, but he's been cleared to rejoin Boston's rotation after a three-start rehab assignment. Houck threw 59 pitches over four scoreless innings during his final rehab start, so he'll likely have some workload limitations in his return to the big-league mound.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Will return early next week

    Houck (face) will be activated to start Monday or Tuesday in Houston, MLB.com reports. Houck was sharp in his third and final rehab start Wednesday, firing four scoreless innings and allowing one hit and no walks while striking out four. He threw 59 pitches Wednesday, which means the Red Sox may have him on a limited pitch count when he starts against the Astros.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Dominates in third rehab start

    Houck (face) struck out four over four scoreless innings and allowed one hit and no walks in his third rehab start with Triple-A Worcester on Wednesday. Houck has been razor sharp over his most recent two outings for Worcester, covering seven scoreless frames while striking out seven and permitting just three baserunners. He was lifted after 59 pitches (36 strikes) Wednesday, and though he isn't yet stretched out enough to handle a typical starter's workload, the Red Sox are likely to bring Houck back from the 15-day injured list and have him make his next appearance in the big leagues. Houck tentatively lines up for a return Monday in Houston, and he could be part of a six-man rotation if the Red Sox elect to keep Nick Pivetta in a starting role.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: One more rehab start needed

    Houck (face) will make one more rehab start before returning from the 15-day injured list, Ian Browne of MLB.com reports. Houck has been out since getting hit by a comebacker in mid-June, an incident which led to a facial fracture and subsequent surgery. He's made a pair of rehab appearances but has only built up to three innings, so the Red Sox presumably want him to get a bit deeper into the game before activating him. The team is planning on having him return during their series in Houston, which runs from Aug. 21 through Aug. 24.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Sharp in Triple-A start

    Houck (face) worked three scoreless innings Friday in a rehab start with Triple-A Worcester, Gabrielle Starr of the Boston Herald reports. Houck cruised through the 34-pitch outing against the Triple-A affiliate of the Blue Jays, tallying three strikeouts while yielding only one hit and issuing zero walks. He still has to build up a bit more, but the 27-year-old appears on track to return to Boston's rotation within the next couple of weeks. He required facial surgery in late June after getting struck by a comebacker.
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  • Red Sox's Tanner Houck: Next rehab outing coming Thursday

    Houck (face) will make his next rehab appearance with Triple-A Worcester on Thursday, Alex Speier of The Boston Globe reports. Houck has been on the injured list since June 18 after requiring surgery to address a fracture on the right side of his face, but the right-hander is closing on a return to the Red Sox. He made his first rehab appearance with Worcester on Saturday, covering 1.2 innings and allowing three hits and three walks while tossing 46 pitches. The Red Sox are preparing to bring Houck back from the IL as a starter, so he'll presumably require two more outings in the minors to get fully stretched out.
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