Tanner Houck’s early struggles have been a major point of concern for the Boston Red Sox this season, and manager Alex Cora is not holding back in his assessment of the pitcher’s performance. After Houck was shelled in a 16-1 blowout loss to the Tampa Bay Rays on Monday, Cora addressed the issues head-on. Houck’s struggles, which have continued since the spring training season, are becoming a growing problem for a Red Sox team looking for stability on the mound.
Houck’s outing was disastrous. He recorded only seven outs, allowing 12 runs (11 earned), 10 hits, and two walks. He gave up two home runs and struck out just one batter. His ERA now sits at a troubling 9.16 over his first four starts of the season. This follows a dismal spring training in which Houck posted an 11.20 ERA. It’s clear that the pitcher is struggling to find any rhythm, and Cora has expressed his frustration with the lack of improvement.
Cora, while being candid about the pitcher’s struggles, pointed to Houck’s pitch location as a major issue. “If you look at the balls they hit hard, they were in the middle of the plate,” Cora said. “Of course, there were some balls that went by. We didn’t play good defense behind him. So I don’t know. Just a good approach. And they put some good swings on him.” However, Cora stopped short of suggesting that Houck was tipping his pitches, though he acknowledged that more discussion is needed to figure out what went wrong.
For Houck, it’s been a difficult stretch. Despite having a strong 2024 All-Star season, Houck has looked off this year. Even in his win against the Blue Jays, Houck’s performance wasn’t as sharp as expected. He managed only four swings-and-misses on 90 pitches in that start, raising concerns about his ability to get batters to chase his offerings. As the team struggles, Houck’s inconsistency is a glaring issue that could have ripple effects on the rest of the pitching staff and the team’s overall performance.
The pitcher was understandably short in his postgame responses, not willing to overanalyze his poor outing. “Just not good,” Houck said, offering little explanation for his struggles. He was quick to add, “Come back tomorrow, figure it out.” While Houck’s determination to bounce back is admirable, the fact that the issues persist despite his efforts is concerning for both the player and the coaching staff.
Despite his own doubts, Houck has promised to figure things out. However, the Red Sox need answers sooner rather than later. The team’s pitching staff has not been its strength this season, and a healthy, productive Houck could go a long way in helping stabilize a bullpen that has been struggling. So far, however, that stability has been elusive, and the pressure on Houck continues to mount with each poor performance.
For Cora, it’s a tough spot to be in. As a manager, he’s responsible for maintaining the team’s morale while also addressing problems that are directly affecting their chances to win games. With the Red Sox now sitting at 8-10 on the season, Cora is walking a fine line between pushing Houck to get better and protecting his confidence. It’s a delicate balance, and how Cora handles Houck moving forward will have significant implications for the team.
The Red Sox’ bullpen ranks 23rd in ERA (4.41) as of mid-April, and Houck’s poor performances are a contributing factor. The team needs much better results from its starting rotation, particularly from someone with as much promise as Houck. The hope is that his All-Star pedigree will return, but right now, there’s a sense of urgency for Houck to find his groove.
Although the Red Sox have struggled defensively at times, as Cora pointed out, it’s hard to ignore the glaring issues in Houck’s game. Allowing multiple home runs, issuing walks, and giving up hard-hit balls have all been consistent problems. His inability to make adjustments in the moment is leading to those results, and if the team wants to compete this season, Houck needs to adjust quickly.
For now, Houck’s future with the Red Sox remains uncertain. His spot in the rotation seems safe for the moment, but with the team’s need for consistency, there may be increased pressure for him to perform. Cora’s patience may wear thin if the poor outings continue, and the Red Sox may need to explore other options if Houck can’t turn things around soon.
It’s clear that Houck’s performance issues are no longer a minor concern. His continued struggles have placed him under the microscope, and with the Red Sox’ season hanging in the balance, Houck’s development will be a key storyline. The pitcher’s ability to address the mechanical flaws that have caused his downfall will determine how quickly he can regain the trust of his coaching staff and help the team get back on track.
The Red Sox will need to regroup quickly. With their next few series critical to turning things around, the team cannot afford to keep falling behind. Cora’s message to Houck and the rest of the rotation is clear: they must figure it out and fix it soon, or the team’s struggles will continue. It’s now on Houck to show that he can be the pitcher the Red Sox expected when they called upon him in the offseason.