Adrian

Houser

Houser struck out three and kept the ball in the yard in a fine showing against a team that had Cal Raleigh batting sixth. It’s going to be quite the letdown when he’s back facing the Rangers next time out.

Houser failed to record a strikeout, issued one walk and threw 36 pitches (23 strikes) in his first outing in a Giants uniform. The 33-year-old journeyman appears to have a spot locked up in San Francisco’s season-opening rotation, but he doesn’t offer a ton of fantasy appeal outside of extremely deep mixed leagues and NL-only formats.

The deal is now official. Houser heads to San Francisco where he’ll have an opportunity to start after compiling a respectable 3.31 ERA — 3.81 FIP — 1.28 WHIP and 92/38 K/BB ratio across 125 innings over 21 starts between the Rays and White Sox. The 32-year-old projects as a back-end rotation stabilizer behind Logan Webb and Robbie Ray next season.

There’s also an option for a third year. Houser, who turns 33 in February, experienced a velocity spike last season and posted a nice 3.31 ERA in 21 starts for the White Sox and Rays, though that came with a modest 18% strikeout rate. The salary isn’t out of line with expectations, but given his age and his lack of any truly impressive seasons previously, it’s kind of surprising to see him get the second guaranteed year. He’ll join Logan Webb and Robbie Ray in a Giants rotation that still probably needs one more vet in the mix.

The 32-year-old hurler punched out five batters on the evening while issuing a pair of free passes. Nathan Lukes was responsible for most of the damage done against him with an RBI single in the first inning and a go-ahead two-run blast in the fifth. Houser got 12 whiffs on 96 pitches on the night — six of those on his slider — while registering a CSW of 26 percent. He wraps up the 2025 season with an 8-5 record, 3.31 ERA, 1.28 WHIP and a 92/38 K/BB ratio over 125 innings in 21 starts between the Rays and White Sox. He’ll be an interesting name to watch on the free agent market over the winter.

Houser somehow escaped a bases loaded jam with no outs in the second inning. A pair of wild pitches would allow a run in to score in the third. Two hits and a walk would plate a second run in the fifth before a hit batter, sacrifice bunt, and sacrifice fly scored a third run in the sixth. Houser would end his day at 102 pitches through six innings with two strikeouts. The 32-year-old right-hander will take a 3.18 ERA, 1.27 WHIP, and an 87/36 K/BB ratio across 119 innings into a start against the Blue Jays in Toronto on Friday.

Houser punched out two batters on the afternoon while issuing one base on balls. The Cubs scratched out a run against him in the opening inning, then Houser kept them off the board until Ian Happ swatted a solo homer in the sixth inning. The 32-year-old hurler generated just three swings and misses on 90 pitches on the day, posting a CSW of 21 percent. He’ll carry a 3.11 ERA, 1.27 WHIP and an 85/33 K/BB ratio (113 innings) into Friday’s matchup against the Red Sox.

Houser piled up nine strikeouts on the evening and didn’t walk a batter against his former ballclub. He served up a solo homer to Kyle Teel in the opening inning, then kept them off the board until Chase Meidroth smacked an RBI single in the fifth inning. Houser then returned for the sixth where he allowed a one-out single before exiting — and that run ultimately scored as well. Houser got eight whiffs on 83 pitches on the night, posting a CSW of 24 percent. He’ll bring a 3.11 ERA, 1.26 WHIP and an 83/32 K/BB ratio (107 innings) into Sunday’s matchup against the Cubs at Wrigley Field.

Houser struggled to miss bats and put hitters away here. That pushed up his pitch count and forced him from this game before he could qualify for the win. He only threw 36% of his pitches in the zone and the Nationals hitters were ready to take many of them. He’s scheduled to face the Mariners at home next time out.

Houser gave up six hits, walked two and struck out two. The 32-year-old right-hander has allowed at least four runs in three of his last four starts. Houser has just 62 strikeouts in 90 2/3 innings this year. While he has been a more than solid starter with a 2.88 ERA this year, his 4.36 xFIP indicates his production isn’t backed up by strong skills. Houser is lined up to face the Guardians on the road next week.