Tanner Houck’s Alarming Decline Has Red Sox in Crisis Mode
There’s no sugarcoating it—Tanner Houck is spiraling, and it’s happening in plain sight.
On Monday night, the Boston Red Sox right-hander delivered a historically poor outing, giving up 11 earned runs in just 2.1 innings during a blowout loss to the Detroit Tigers. It marked the second time this season he’s allowed 10 or more earned runs in a game, with the first coming in April against the Rays. That dubious distinction makes him the first Red Sox pitcher since MLB’s integration era to do so multiple times in a single season.
And we’re still in May.
From Rising Star to Worrying Trend
Just a year ago, Houck was riding high. He had a 2.17 ERA at this point in the season, earned an All-Star selection, and wrapped up the year with a solid 3.12 ERA—looking like a cornerstone of the Red Sox rotation.
Now, he’s barely recognizable. He holds an 8.04 ERA, having allowed 39 earned runs across 43.2 innings, and appears completely adrift.
“This is probably the most lost I’ve ever felt,” Houck admitted after Monday’s game, clearly dejected. “I’m just not getting it done, and that weighs on me.”
It’s more than just his pitching mechanics—his confidence has seemingly vanished, and in a city like Boston, that’s devastating.
Numbers That Speak Louder Than Words
Red Sox fans are used to pitching woes, but Houck’s current form is approaching unprecedented territory. Only two other pitchers in franchise history—Win Kellum (1901) and Wes Ferrell (1936)—have had multiple 10+ earned run games in a single season. Houck now shares that infamous record.
In both meltdowns, he didn’t survive past the third inning. Against Detroit, he gave up nine runs in one frame, including a disastrous sequence that allowed a “Little League home run” due to defensive miscues.
At this point, the problem goes beyond control or pitch choice. Houck appears to be crumbling under pressure.
Boston Doesn’t Wait
In another city, Houck might be granted time to work through this. But in Boston, patience is short.
Every pitch is scrutinized, every failure dissected. And with two catastrophic outings already on his 2024 resume, fans and media are paying attention.
Manager Alex Cora hasn’t made a definitive move yet, but his postgame comments hinted at change.
“We’ll have to evaluate and see what’s next,” he said. “There were too many pitches left in the heart of the zone.”
That’s manager-speak for: something’s got to change.
The Emotional Cost
Houck’s honesty after the game offered a glimpse into the psychological toll this slump is taking. He’s not making excuses—he’s acknowledging that he’s struggling and unable to fix it.
And that’s perhaps the most painful part. This isn’t just about bad numbers. It’s about a player who knows he’s off-track and can’t seem to right the ship.
What’s Next for Houck?
The Red Sox face a tough decision. Do they give Houck a break? Shift him to the bullpen? Place him on the injured list? Regardless, it’s clear something has to happen—because leaving things as they are could mean losing him completely.
Tanner Houck may not be done. But unless the team acts soon, his chances of rebounding may slip away.
