The Boston Red Sox will rely on right-hander Tanner Houck to end the visiting San Diego Padres’ four-game winning streak on Saturday.
Houck (7-5, 2.18 ERA) started the season competing for the fifth spot in Boston’s rotation but has emerged as the team’s ace. Leading the American League in ERA, he has recorded 101 strikeouts and 18 walks over 103 1/3 innings this season.
Houck attributes much of his 2024 success to Red Sox pitching coach Andrew Bailey, who advised him to revamp his split-finger fastball.
“He gave me a few grip ideas before camp,” Houck shared on a recent NESN telecast. “I ran with it and now feel incredibly comfortable with that pitch. It’s been my biggest weapon this year.”
Houck has pitched at least 5 2/3 innings in each of his 16 starts. Saturday, which is also his 28th birthday, marks his first career start against the Padres.
San Diego will counter with right-hander Michael King (5-5, 3.75 ERA). King, who spent the previous five seasons with the New York Yankees, has a 2-4 record with a 5.20 ERA in 12 career appearances (two starts) against the Red Sox. In Boston, he’s 0-2 with a 4.50 ERA in five outings (one start).
The Padres opened the three-game series with a 9-2 victory on Friday, scoring all their runs in the fifth inning. This surge included a two-run homer by Kyle Higashioka and a three-run shot by Jackson Merrill, a lifelong Red Sox fan.
“I don’t usually like to talk about myself,” Merrill said. “But that was probably the dopest moment of my baseball career. A nine-run inning—you can’t ask for anything better.”
Higashioka has hit three home runs in his past two games, totaling eight for June.
Friday’s win marked the Padres’ eighth victory in nine games, pushing them four games above .500 for the first time this season.
X-rays were negative on Padres pitcher Randy Vasquez, who took a line drive off his right forearm in the fifth inning.
“A little swelling, but hopefully I’ll be ready for my next start,” Vasquez said.
The Red Sox, facing their first two-game losing streak since June 7-8, remain optimistic.
“We have a strong team capable of great things,” said Boston manager Alex Cora. “There are areas to improve, but I’m pleased with our progress in the first half. We’ll keep working hard and playing good baseball. I believe we’ll be playing meaningful games in September.”
