To me, it's not about Houck's ST numbers but that he's just looked like second half of 2024 Houck. I think a lot of people were hoping for a 1a/1b with Crochet and Houck, but Houck may just be more of a midrotation guy.
Post ASB Houck:
4.23 ERA/4.53 FIP, 11 GS, 6.1 k/9, 1.9 k/bb
Pre ASB:
2.54 ERA/2.68 FIP, 19 GS, 8.6 k/9, 4.3 k/bb