Framber Valdez Starting Game 2 For Houston
Framber Valdez is set to start Game 2 of the Division Series against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday. Valdez will follow Justin Verlander. The burly lefty posted strong numbers this season, with a 3.45 ERA and 1.13 WHIP to go along with 200 strikeouts in 198 IP. Valdez is coming off a couple of rough outings where he gave up a combined nine earned runs and walked eight, so he will need to turn things around if the Astros stand any chance of winning. The Twins haven't confirmed who their Game 2 starter will be, but it seems likely that it will be Pablo Lopez pitching on his normal amount of rest.
Source: Chandler Rome
Houston Astros left-handed pitcher Source: Chandler Rome
Framber Valdez Goes Eight Innings, Strikes Out Seven
Framber Valdez turned in a gem in his team's 2-1 win over the Kansas City Royals on Tuesday. Valdez allowed one run on six hits over eight innings while striking out seven and walking one, but had to settle for a no-decision in the outing. The veteran southpaw notched 14 swinging strikes in the outing while lowering his ERA to 3.54 on the year. Valdez will take a 2-4 record into his next start, which is scheduled for Monday against the Tampa Bay Rays.
Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros left-hander Source: MLB.com
Framber Valdez Shuts Down Brewers On Wednesday
Framber Valdez got back on track Wednesday, holding the Milwaukee Brewers to one run over seven innings of work and picking up his second win in a 9-1 victory. Valdez scattered three hits and two walks while striking out seven in this one. It's been a bit of a rollercoaster ride for Valdez and his fantasy managers this season, as he has followed up dominant starts with mediocre or even downright terrible ones multiple times. He now sits at 2-4 with a 3.94 ERA, 1.19 WHIP, and 44 strikeouts over 48 IP. Hopefully, this performance is the first of many in a row. With his high upside, Valdez is still a must-start pitcher in all formats, regardless of his potential for a blow-up. His next outing should come next Tuesday at home against the Kansas City Royals, a team he just went eight strong innings against a few weeks ago.
Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
Framber Valdez Tosses Complete Game In A Loss To The Royals
Framber Valdez didn't get any run support on Saturday night in Kansas City, but he still went the distance in a complete game for the Astros, in a 2-0 loss. He allowed two runs on three hits in eight innings with five strikeouts and a pair of walks, but was outdueled by Michael Wacha and the Royals. Kansas City scored a run in the first inning on a sacrifice fly by Mark Canha, and Vinnie Pasquantino added an insurance run with a solo home run in the fifth inning. The defeat drops Valdez to 1-3 on the year, but he lowered his ERA to 4.00 and his FIP to 3.65. He had gone at least six innings in four of his six starts this season, but this was the first time he reached the eighth inning. He'll hope to get more run support in his next outing, which is currently lined up for next Friday in a more favorable road matchup against the White Sox in Chicago
Source: ESPN.com
Houston Astros starting pitcher Source: ESPN.com
Framber Valdez Allows 10 Hits In Monday's Loss
Framber Valdez turned in his second disappointing start of the season in Monday's 8-3 loss to the Cardinals. Valdez pitched four innings, allowing seven runs (six earned) on 10 hits and a walk with three strikeouts. The 31-year-old has been uncharacteristically inconsistent in his first four starts of the season, allowing no combined runs in two of them and 11 combined earned runs in his other two. Overall, he is now 1-2 with a 4.50 ERA, a 9.82 K/9 rate, and a 3.27 BB/9 rate in 22 IP. Valdez's next matchup will be a tough one against the Padres. While fantasy managers may have drafted Valdez as high as their rotation ace, they may consider sitting him if they have other options, at least in roto leagues.
Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros starting pitcher Source: MLB.com
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