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Red Sox Pitcher's Strong Start Reflected in Cy Young Odds

Tanner Houck is currently tied for the third-best odds to win the award.

By Ryan Bunton

May 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck (89) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
May 15, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck (89) pitches against the Tampa Bay Rays during the third inning at Fenway Park. Mandatory Credit: Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports / Eric Canha-USA TODAY Sports
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Tanner Houck has been dominated on the rubber for the Boston Red Sox this season. Through 12 starts, Houck has posted the second-best ERA in the American League (1.85), fourth-best WHIP (0.96), seventh-best opponent average (.206), and eight-most punch-outs (75).

Well, bookmakers are taking notice. Houck is currently tied for the third-best odds on FanDuel Sportsbook to take home the AL Cy Young Award. The 27-year-old can be found at +1200, tied with Luis Castillo of the Seattle Mariners and trailing Tarik Skubal and Corbin Burnes of the Detroit Tigers and Baltimore Orioles, respectively. Rick Porcello was the most recent Red Sox to win the award, in 2016.

Houck leads all of baseball in fielding independent pitching (2.15) and home runs per nine innings (0.1). Fielding independent pitching eliminates batted balls in play from the equation, it solely accounts for plays where the pitcher is perceived to have more control over (i.e. strikeouts, walks, hit-by-pitches, and home runs).

While bookmakers seem to be impressed by Houck's performance to date, other outlets remain unconvinced. ESPN's Cy Young predictor doesn't even have Houck in their top 10, while featuring a staggering five pitchers from the archrival New York Yankees. Houck's record could work against him, as despite his dominance on the mound, a lack of offensive support has him sitting at a .500 record (5-5).

It is also a fair question to wonder if Houck will be able to sustain his success as he is on pace to easily surpass his career high in innings pitched. His previous career high in innings was 106 innings pitched last season, and his 78 innings in 2024 is already the second-highest total of his big league tenure. Boston still has 102 games left on their schedule (putting Houck on pace for 212 IP), so he will have to exactly double his previous workload if he goes the distance.

Even if Houck is unable to take home the hardware, his performance through 12 starts is a promising sign for both the Red Sox and their fanbase as they look for the right-hander to cement himself in the Boston rotation for years to come.

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Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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