Houck gets start in Friday’s series opener against White Sox

BOSTON — Tanner Houck will get the start for the Red Sox in Friday night’s series opener in Chicago against the White Sox, a team that has dominated the American League Central, entering Wednesday night with a 80-58 record.

In 12 appearances (10 starts), Houck has been a significant boost to the rotation, carrying a 3.26 ERA while fanning 62 in 49⅔ innings. Despite not going deep into games — due to his lack of success when a batting order sees him for the third time — Houck is effective in the innings he does give the Red Sox.

Houck’s slider remains his greatest weapon. In 58 plate appearances hitters are batting just .189 against his slider. It’s a devastating pitch not only because of its sweep but also because of Houck’s sidearm angle.

Even though he’s still getting the feel of his split-finger, something Houck said will be crucial if he wants to face batting orders a third time, the righthander’s slider is what makes him dominant at times. One Red Sox scout called it an 80 pitch on a 20-80 scale.

Getting healthier: The Red Sox are beginning to get some players back from the Covid-related injured list. Kiké Hernández rejoined the lineup Tuesday. Christian Arroyo is in Boston with the team. Manager Alex Cora said that the infielder still has some doctor appointments, adding that Arroyo got hit pretty hard by the virus. Martín Pérez is also in Boston. The goal for the rest of the group that was placed on the COVID list during the Rays series is to rejoin the team when it heads to Chicago Thursday. When those players will be activated is still to be determined. “We’ll sit down as a group and go from there,” Cora said.