Tanner Houck is coming off two subpar outings but he has an above average strikeout rate and a chase rate in the 87th percentile. That bodes well against an Oakland lineup that's averaged 13 strikeouts over the past three games. (Nick Pivetta fanned 10 A's on Wednesday). Oakland has the highest K rate on the road. In April, Houck struck out 10 Oakland batters in six innings.

Tanner Houck is having a tremendous season at the front of Boston's rotation and has been rewarded by making his first All-Star team. Houck has eclipsed this line in 13/18 starts on the season and gets a plus matchup against an Oakland As lineup that ranks 25th in OPS against opposing right handed pitchers. While Houck has struggled his previous two starts, they came against elite offenses in New York and San Diego which will not be the case today. I like Houcks chances of getting back on track today.