There are many previous articles about Tanner Houck and how terrible he's been performing this season. However, there aren't many articles on how the Red Sox, or perhaps Houck himself, can help him get better. After he suffered an injury setback during his rehab assignment to make matters even worse, it's time to take a look at what the starter can do upon his return.
So far this season, his ERA is at an astounding 8.04, with a 1.695 WHIP across only his slim 9 starts this season (43.2 total innings pitched). His walk rate jumped to 8.4 and a K/9 of 6.6. So what's wrong with him? Why has his career suddenly taken a 180?
The hitters are crushing his four-seam fastball, slugging 1.400 against him. For some reason, he had been emphasizing this pitch more often than last year. He used that pitch only three times in 2024, but he's used it 44 times in 2025, and batters have been crushing it, averaging their exit velocities at 91 mph with a 46.3% hard-hit rate.
His secondary pitches haven't performed as well either. His splitter, which was once his wipeout pitch, is now having command problems. He's inducing fewer whiffs and more barrels. When he has control of that splitter, it's his best pitch in that arsenal. But now, with less control over it, he's giving up more hits.
Then, there's his stamina in his starts, and Houck has always had this issue throughout his career. He can't get through that third time through the order. His stuff is nice and nasty at the beginning (up until around the 5th inning), but afterwards, it isn't holding up.
How Tanner Houck Can Improve His Game
To regain his command of his secondary pitches, he needs to focus on throw-zone consistency with his splitter and his sweeper. These two pitches were why he was so successful in 2024. He needs to practice throwing his pitches the exact same way, every single time, from the same spot and the same angle. This makes it harder for batters to track and helps him throw more strikes.
He needs to repeat what he did in 2024, which is reducing the usage of his fastball. He can re-anchor the fastballs to set up his secondary pitches, not as the top pitch in his arsenal. It never has been the top pitch in his arsenal anyway.
To improve his stamina, a mid-season endurance regimen could help maintain his velocity while going deeper into starts. Examples of this could simply be just more long toss and weighted-ball programs. Either that or he'll have to consider becoming a full-time bullpen pitcher. He's had a career 2.68 ERA in relief, and it benefits his stamina and his amazing stuff.
Lastly, his confidence is shot. There's no tiptoeing around it. A clear role (suggestion: bullpen) could reduce his pressure. A sports psychologist is also an option, and it'll help him focus pitch-by-pitch instead of everything else.
Tanner Houck is an amazing pitcher when he's on. But the consistency has yet to be inspired. Even during his 2024 All-Star season, he still struggled in his second half. If he can find his schtick, and most notably, what he had in that first half of 2024, he, among everybody else, will be more than happy.