Alex Cora Gives Encouraging Update On Key Red Sox Pitcher

The Boston Red Sox already pushed back not one, but two starts recently for Tanner Houck.

It doesn't look like the Red Sox will have to do that again for the right-hander, though.

Red Sox manager Alex Cora told reporters prior to Tuesday night's game against the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field that Houck is still in line to be on the mound Wednesday with Boston clinging to playoff hopes.

"There's a big chance he's going to start," Cora told reporters, per MassLive's Christopher Smith.

Of course, there's still plenty of time for Houck's status to change, much like it did last Friday before the Red Sox faced the New York Yankees. Houck was scratched due to right shoulder fatigue less than an hour before his start in the Bronx with the Red Sox turning to Richard Fitts in an emergency start.

Houck hasn't started since a Sept. 4 matchup against the New York Mets, in which he allowed four runs on five hits while striking out seven and walking one over five innings. It was a solid start from the 28-year-old, but over the second half of the season, he largely hasn't looked like the pitcher who earned All-Star honors for the first time this season.

Houck owns an 0-4 record with a 4.78 ERA and 1.462 WHIP in nine starts since the All-Star break. It appears the heavy workload wore him down as he has already thrown 169 2/3 innings this season, which is 63 more than his previous career high.

But Houck will have plenty of rest heading into the start against the Rays as he tries to grind his way to the finish line with just 12 games remaining in Boston's regular season.