Bradfo breaks down life without Triston Casas
CLEVELAND - There was certainly not a hint of jubilation in the Red Sox' clubhouse Tuesday night after their 4-1 loss to the best team in baseball, the Guardians.
From the news earlier in the day that Triston Casas had a fractured rib, to an offense that could only muster one run (coming on a Wilyer Abreu solo homer), to having to finally succumb to the relentless Guardians attack via two Cleveland runs in both the seven and eight innings, it all was as dreary as the weather.
But within the discomfort of the Red Sox' 11th loss of the season was a big picture feel-good story. That was because of Tanner Houck.
Once again, he acted like an ace, and was treated accordingly by his manager.
"He did an amazing job," said Red Sox manager Alex Cora. "Like I told him today, [the starters are] earning the right to go deep into games. There’s no baby gloves here. He was throwing the ball well."
Any thought of the previous outing - a "Maddux" complete game shutout - was an aberration was pushed to the side. Even with the Guardians getting a second look at the righty within a week, Houck offered the same image as he has allowed in all but one of his five starts. This time it came in the form of six innings, not giving up a run until the seventh.
So, how is he is doing this?
Well, Houck is throwing more first-pitch strikes than at any point in his career (63.8 percent), getting a career-low percentage of swings (26.2 percent) at those initial offerings. He has struck out 32 and walked just five (3 coming Tuesday night), while also coming in with the third-best FIP (Fielding Independent Pitching, 2.06) of any starter in the majors.
Houck has already faced 34 hitters the third time through the batting order, which is almost have of his total (85) in 21 starts in 2023. Also, last season the starter squared off with just five hitters from the seventh inning and on. This time around the number is already at 12.
"That was the goal, being able to pitch deeper into games this year and to see lineups three times," Houck said. "But with that being said, I want to go out there and finish the seven and put us in the best position to win. Too many walks as well. Three walks is unacceptable, one of them being a four-pitch walk. Still stuff to work on, still stuff to grow with. It’s forever about getting better and pushing yourself."
After the game, Cleveland manager Stephen Vogt called Houck, "one of the elite pitchers." And that's what Houck has become.
Houck said before the season his health was a difference-maker, having finally fully recovered from back surgery. And that trademark slider would be better than ever, which is has been, as is evident by .163 batting average against and 40.3 percent whiff rate.
But the results have also been a product of a combination of throwing the ball over plate on Pitch 1, while taking his split-finger to another level (using it as his most effective put-away pitch).
"I'm throwing a lot more strikes and ultimately trusting all my pitches, being able to throw them in any count and not shying away from the hitters," Houck said.
"I think it goes back to being 100 percent healthy and many years and weeks and months and days and hours of putting in hard work of trying to figure out this beautiful game we love so much. I will never say you can perfect this game or you can master this game because this game will humble you very quickly. It's about showing up every day and doing the little stuff. And I know it's a cliche saying, and so many people have said it over a long period of time but there is a reason people say it, because it works."
He adds, "Having success builds confidence. You learn more in the losses and in the failures, but you build the confidence in the successes. You need both to truly be the best version of yourself."
Case in point: Tanner Houck, circa 2024.