What Has Happened to This Boston Red Sox All-Star in Early Going?

After earning his first All-Star selection in 2024, Tanner Houck was thought to be a pillar for the Red Sox rotation. He still might be, but he's struggled mightily in 2025. So what's going on?

Boston Red Sox starting pitcher Tanner Houck (89) throws a pitch against the Tampa Bay Rays in the first inning at George M. Steinbrenner Field on April 14. | Nathan Ray Seebeck-Imagn Images

Heading into the 2025 season, the Boston Red sox were thought to have a deeper (and better) rotation than they've had in years. The group added talent in Garrett Crochet and experience in Walker Buehler and was supposed to see another step forward from Bryan Bello. Furthermore, they were returning All-Star Tanner Houck and getting former All-Star Lucas Giolito back from injury.

Through 20 games, the Red Sox sit at 10-10, and the rotation hasn't lived up to the billing. Bello and Giolito are yet to start because of injuries and Houck has taken a massive step-back from his All-Star campaign.

Thus far, he's 0-2 with a 9.16 ERA. He's struck out just 11 batters in 18.2 innings, has a WHIP approaching two (1.929) and just gave up 11 earned runs in 2.1 innings against the Tampa Bay Rays earlier this week. He has just one quality start out of four.

Sure, it's just four games and things can turn around, but the lack of strikeouts and some of the other metrics are concerning.

Per @JayHayKid of Underdog Fantasy on social media:

Corbin Burnes’ increase in hard-hit rate allowed from 2024 to 2025 (31.6% to 54.5%, +22.9%) is the largest in MLB.

That 54.5% hard-hit rate this season is tied for the 3rd-highest among SP, ahead of only Antonio Senzatela and Bailey Ober and tied with Tanner Houck.

Corbin Burnes’ increase in hard-hit rate allowed from 2024 to 2025 (31.6% to 54.5%, +22.9%) is the largest in MLB.

That 54.5% hard-hit rate this season is tied for the 3rd-highest among SP, ahead of only Antonio Senzatela and Bailey Ober and tied with Tanner Houck. https://t.co/8SSHckoIl0

— nugget chef (@jayhaykid) April 18, 2025

To be giving up a hard-hit rate of more than 50 percent is certainly eye-opening, especially for a pitcher with the kind of stuff that Houck has. He has good movement and a mid-90s fastball that pairs with a frisbee slider, but right now he's not able to use all his weapons to their max effectiveness.

The Red Sox are back in action this weekend when they host the Chicago White Sox for four games at Fenway Park.

First pitch is set for 7:10 p.m. ET on Friday. Houck is slated to pitch on Sunday.

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