Houck goes 7, giving up 1, and now has an ERA of 1.85, but is just 5-5.
Looks like Rafaela is going to keep that rbi lead a while longer. That he is doing so from the 9 spot in the lineup is remarkable.
Sox back up to .500.
However, tomorrow it's Criswell (ERA 3.96) vs. Olson (ERA 1.92), so big edge to the Tigers.
The Red Sox management will be regretting that they did not get a deal done with Houch when they have discussed contracts in recent years, as with the new level he has reached, he’s now a LOT more expensive to extend.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
This begs the question on our past pitching gurus. Did we have other Houcks in the past, but bumbled their development and choice of pitching strategy?
We’ve heard a lot about how poorly our system has been at acquiring and developing young pitchers, but now, we seem to have a few very promising arms. Most are the same guys we had before, when we said we sucked.
When you say it's gonna happen now
When exactly do you mean?
Championships since purchase by John Henry group: Red Sox 4 Yankees 1
The Red Sox are 8-1 in their last 9 postseason games against the Yankees.
Commentary from the cheap seats. They didn't get a deal done with Houch because he was never on the Sox roster.
As for Houck, as recently as last season there were discussions about whether he could successfully face a lineup a third time--to say nothing of the fact that last year his ERA was 5.01 in 21 starts.
This year he's like he ducked into a phone booth and emerged as SuperHouck. His repertoire is bigger and his pitches are way sharper. And his ERA is an insane 1.85.