Our pen is better and deeper than 2022 and even 2021.
I'd prefer he take Whitlock's long relief role, but getting to the 5th inning is the norm, these days.
BTW, Houck has a career 1.12 WHIP, so he might make it to the second batter in the 5th, on average.
4.48 runners after 4 IP at 1.12 compared to 5 runners after 4 at 1.25.