Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was excellent on Thursday, tossing seven innings of one-run ball as his club defeated the Rangers 5-1. The left-hander walked Eli White to lead off the game, and he eventually came around for the only run of the night for Texas as Valdez settled down after that in what was a close game up until the Astros blew it open in the eighth. He finished the night allowing six hits and two walks while punching out seven batters to give him a 39/19 K/BB through 48 innings on the year. Valdez hasn't produced as much as fantasy managers would like in the strikeout column, but his 2.68 ERA and 1.26 WHIP are respectable to go along with a 3-2 record. Valdez will face the Guardians at home in his next scheduled matchup where he will look to build on a solid start to his season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez helped get the team off to a strong start to the 2022 season on Thursday. Facing the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day, Valdez pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed two hits, one walk and no runs while striking out six. He earned the win as the team captured a 3-1 victory in the game. The 28-year-old is coming off his best season to date. In 2021, he made 22 starts and went 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and a 21.9% strikeout rate. His second start of the 2022 campaign will come on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez has earned the Opening Day start versus the Los Angeles Angels. He'll be followed by Jake Odorizzi and Justin Verlander who were both deserving of the start as well. The 28-year-old lefty posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 125/58 K/BB ratio across 134 2/3 innings in 22 starts last season. He has been a reliable option in the rotation over the last two seasons. Valdez has earned this honor and should be trusted in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. Valdez pitched to a 3.14 ERA and a 4.01 FIP in 134 2/3 innings during the regular season, striking out 125 batters while surrendering 58 walks. So far in 17 postseason innings, the 27-year-old has surrendered 24 hits, 12 earned runs, six walks and four home runs while also striking out 15 hitters. He previously gave up eight hits, five earned runs, a pair of home runs and a walk in two innings as Houston's Game 1 starter. Valdez also struck out two batters during that start.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez will take the mound to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Braves. After a shaky postseason start, Valdez was fantastic when it counted most, tossing eight strong innings of one-run baseball in Game 5 of the ALCS. Late-season injuries to Zack Greinke and Lance McCullers Jr. suddenly have Valdez serving as de facto ace for the Astros staff. Valdez posted a 5-2 mark at Minute Maid Park during the regular season with a 1.37 WHIP and a 3.45 ERA through 11 home starts this season. Valdez will have a tough test against a top-to-bottom dynamic Braves lineup in Game 1.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday in Houston. Valdez tossed eight innings of one-run ball in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox and will be starting on regular rest. It's expected that rookie right-hander Luis Garcia will start Game 2 on Wednesday, with right-hander Jose Urquidy going in Game 3 on Friday in Atlanta. Veteran right-hander Zack Greinke figures to be in the mix to start Game 4 after throwing only 1 1/3 innings in his start in Game 4 of the ALCS now that Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) won't be available for the Fall Classic.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez allowed four runs through 4 1/3 innings pitched but the Astros offense led the way to a 9-4 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS. Valdez was hit early and often, allowing a run in the first inning before getting tagged for three runs and an early exit in the fifth. Valdez kept the ball in the ballpark but the White Sox have thrived off of left-handed pitching in the regular season. Valdez could be available out of the bullpen if the series is extended to four or five games.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez is slated to pitch Game 2 of the team's ALDS series against the White Sox on Friday. Valdez (11-6) has enjoyed a very solid season, allowing only 110 hits through 134 2/3 innings pitched with a 3.14 ERA through 22 starts. It has been a positive season but has struggled with his control in September. Over his last 24 2/3 innings pitched, Valdez has walked 14 batters and has hit three batters. Valdez was fantastic in the 2020 postseason, posting a 3-1 record with a 1.00 WHIP and a 1.44 ERA through 24 playoff innings. Valdez has been a productive pitcher this season but will have a tough matchup against a White Sox lineup that has dominated left-handed pitching this season.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez twirled seven shutout innings with six strikeouts against the Angels on Monday. Valdez (11-5) endured two mediocre starts previous to this sparkling performance and now has a 2.82 ERA over his last seven starts. Valdez has struggled with his control at times and has walked 10 hitters over his last 18 innings pitched. Valdez has allowed only 10 home runs through 123 innings pitched this season but control issues have held him back from being fantasy elite.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (hand) has been scratched from his start against the Texas Rangers on Thursday. Luis Garcia, who was originally slated to pitch on Friday, will now start Thursday's game instead. Valdez reportedly suffered a small cut on his left hand (his throwing hand) on Wednesday. He is being considered day-to-day. The 27-year-old left-hander has struggled so far in September, giving up eight earned runs over 11 innings. He has a 3.26 ERA and a 1.27 WHIP over 19 starts on the year.

Houston Astros starter 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.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez (8-4) continues to quietly have an excellent season heading into the team's matchup against the Rangers this weekend. Valdez pitched seven shutout innings against the Mariners on August 22 and now sports a 2.73 ERA over his past four starts in August. The Astros rotation doesn't get national acclaim but Zack Greinke, Luis Garcia and Valdez continue to deal on the mound. Valdez can occasionally struggle with his control but for the season has struck out 92 hitters through 98 innings pitched this season with a 2.94 ERA.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez allowed only one run with eight strikeouts through six strong innings in the Astros 5-1 win over the Rockies on Wednesday. Valdez (8-3) walked four batters but allowed only four hits to earn his third victory over his last four starts. Valdez did not make his season debut until May 28 this year but has been a fantastic stalwart in an underrated Astros rotation. The 27-year-old has struggled with his control at times (40 walks through 84 1/3 innings) but has allowed only seven home runs all season. Valdez will be another solid source of innings, strikeouts and wins the next time he takes the mound.

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

NEW YORK (AP) — Joey Votto homered for the seventh straight game, one shy of a major league record, and the Cincinnati Reds beat the New York Mets 6-2 on Friday night. Jonathan India went deep twice for the Reds, including a leadoff shot that came on Carlos Carrasco’s first pitch with the Mets. Acquired from Cleveland in January, the veteran right-hander finally made his New York debut after recovering from a hamstring injury. It was an up-and-down day for the Mets, who made a big deal to get Javier Báez from the Chicago Cubs before baseball’s trade deadline — and then revealed injured ace Jacob deGrom will be shut down for two more weeks because of inflammation in his pitching elbow, making it unlikely he’ll rejoin the NL East leaders before September. Báez was acquired from the Cubs along with right-hander Trevor Williams for outfield prospect Pete Crow-Armstrong, the Mets’ first-round pick in the 2020 amateur draft. Báez is expected to join the Mets on Saturday and will play shortstop... [More]

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez will take the mound Friday night against the Giants. Valdez (6-2) is coming off pitching six scoreless innings on July 24 against the Rangers after a couple of bumpy outings in the month of July. The left-handed starter still is posting an impressive 2.97 ERA this season and has allowed only 56 hits through 66 2/3 innings pitched. Valdez can be a positive contributor to DFS lineups for Friday's slate, thanks to a 1.10 WHIP and a 2.94 ERA through five road starts this season.

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]

MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Patrick Sandoval had his no-hit bid broken up with one out in the ninth inning on a soft double by rookie Brent Rooker and the Los Angeles Angels beat the Minnesota Twins 2-1 on Saturday night. Sandoval, a 24-year-old lefty who began the game with a 3-13 career record, struck out a career-high 13. There have already been seven no-hitters in the majors this season. The big league record of eight was set in 1884, the first year overhand pitching was permitted. The Twins hadn’t come close to a hit until Rooker, who fanned his first three times up, flared an opposite-field fly that fell just inside the line in right. Sandoval (3-4) smiled after the ball fell, retired the next batter and then was pulled after 108 pitches. He walked one and hit two. Closer Raisel Iglesias allowed an RBI double to Josh Donaldson before getting his 21st save in 25 chances. José Berríos (7-5) allowed two unearned runs in seven innings in perhaps his final start for Minnesota. ASTROS 4, RANGERS... [More]