Tanner Houck talks tattoos, his pitching evolution
The Red Sox are now one game over .500 after playing five times, having their first two-game win streak of the season thanks to Monday night's 9-0 win over the A's in Oakland.
This we absolutely know: It's early.
It is the first time the Red Sox own a winning record after five games since 2018, so that's something. But there are plenty examples of the first week of the season meaning little in the long run, both for the good and the bad.
All that being said, for Craig Breslow and Co., the successes are a whole lot better than the alternative. And within the five-game stretch we have also come across another certainty: There are more of those success stories than some might have anticipated.
In fact, in this organization's quest to actually uncover its next wave of foundational players, a few players are offering hints that they might be exactly what the Red Sox are looking for.
Start with Tanner Houck.
The righty punctuated an unbelievable first run through the rotation for the Red Sox, not allowing a run and only three hits over his six innings while striking out 10 and failing to walk a single batter.
The best-version-of-themselves Red Sox have been striking when it comes to the starting rotation, with the collection of Brayan Bello, Nick Pivetta, Kutter Crawford, Garrett Whitlock and Houck combining for a 1.29 ERA over 28 innings, striking out 37 and walking just ONE.
Houck epitomized the evolution, throwing his best pitch - the slider - for strikes early and often. He only had five three-ball counts all night, while going to two balls on just 10 of his 21 batters.
He had suggested that things would look different this time around, not only because of the new approach but also due to an improved physical condition. Houck admitted to not be fully recovered from back surgery throughout last season, having also bulked up heading into this season (reaching 240 pounds at one point in the offseason).
It wasn't only the shock-and-awe displayed on the pitching mound this time around, with the Red Sox' offense breaking out (in fairness, thanks in part to Oakland's five errors).
The night offered another reminder that there might be some additional All-Stars around the corner, with Jarren Duran serving as the big neon sign this time around.
Because the outfielder's season was halted because of a turf toe that required season-ending surgery, some forget how dynamic Duran had become as 2023 wore on. In 23 games throughout July, for instance, he hit .384 with a 1.088 OPS and eight stolen bases. For the entire campaign, the outfielder swiped 24 bags in 26 attempts, finishing with an .828 OPS.
Monday night, Duran supplied a powerful reminder.
He not only finished with three hits, but also stolen a trio of bases to give him five steals in as many games (a feat no other Red Sox player had ever accomplished).
It's not a stretch to suggest that off of what Duran has presented to this point, he could be on the verge of stardom. And that's the exact type of proclamation - for both the outfielder and a few more of his teammates - that will allow for the narrative to change dramatically for these Red Sox.
"I think last year he was very efficient stealing bases but he was just running," Red Sox first base coach/baserunning instructor Kyle Hudson told MLB.com's Ian Browne. "He was using his speed and athleticism. This year, he's seeing some of the keys and the tells that are gonna allow him to steal even more bases. Maybe even off guys that are a little bit lower times [to the plate], but they give you something to maybe up that time.
"So I think that's kind of a transition that you're seeing right now. It's not just pure speed and athleticism right now. It's the understanding of what pitchers are doing and he's taking advantage of it."