Framber Valdez Projected To Start Thursday
Framber Valdez (10-5) is scheduled to start Thursday against the Rangers. It has been a very shaky month of September, allowing eight earned runs on 12 hits during his last two starts that spanned 11 innings. The more concerning factor has been the left-handed starter loss of control, hitting two batters and walking seven also during this stretch. Valdez has enjoyed a strong season but is not a DFS option for his next start until he can iron out his mechanical issues on the mound.
Source: Houston Astros
Houston Astros starter Source: Houston Astros
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
Framber Valdez Making The Start On Tuesday
Framber Valdez (illness) will make his scheduled start on Tuesday at T-Mobile Park against the division-rival Seattle Mariners. It was unclear over the weekend whether Valdez would be able to make his start this week while he was dealing with fatigue and a sore throat, but the 31-year-old veteran southpaw will toe the rubber and should be started in single-year fantasy leagues. Valdez looked great on Opening Day on March 27 against the New York Mets, tossing seven scoreless innings in a win with two walks and four strikeouts. However, he gave up five earned runs while walking four and striking out nine in five innings for a loss against the San Francisco Giants his last time out on April 2. Fantasy managers will be hoping for an outing more along the lines of his season debut now that he's apparently feeling better.
Source: MLB.com
Houston Astros left-hander Source: MLB.com
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