Houston Astros fans had high hopes for ace Framber Valdez as the team kicked off their postseason in the Wild Card round against the Detroit Tigers.
Unfortunately, Valdez’s performance fell well short of those expectations, as the Astros lost in disappointing fashion by the score of 3-1 to the pesky Tigers.
Valdez, the Astros’ go-to left-hander, lasted just 4.1 innings, giving up seven hits and three earned runs. He struck out three batters and issued two walks before being pulled from the game.
After the tough outing, Valdez was candid about his struggles.
“Sometimes you feel really, really good and you go out there and don’t get the result you were expecting. Just waiting on the next game,” he said.
Unfortunately for Valdez, he might not get a “next game.”
The Tigers worked Valdez hard, patiently taking pitches and driving up his pitch count. He acknowledged that falling behind in the count was a key factor in his struggles.
All of the Tigers’ damage came in a single inning, with three runs crossing the plate in the second off a trio of singles.
While Valdez was able to steady himself afterward, the damage was done. Houston’s offense managed just one run, unable to overcome the early deficit.
The Game 1 struggles stand in stark contrast to Valdez’s regular season dominance, where he posted a 2.91 ERA along with a 169/55 K/BB ratio. This outing, however, didn’t reflect the skillset that earned him the Game 1 start.
Unfortunately for Astros fans, Valdez’s postseason woes are not a new storyline.
In last year’s playoffs, he went 0-3 in three starts, including a rough ALDS appearance where he allowed five earned runs over 4.1 innings against the Minnesota Twins.
He followed that up with an 8.22 ERA in the ALCS over two starts against the Texas Rangers.
In 17 career postseason appearances, Valdez holds a 4.34 ERA with a 95/34 K/BB ratio—solid numbers, but not what the Astros need from their ace in high-pressure moments.
However, Valdez’s potential to bounce back is undeniable. In Houston’s 2022 World Series run, he was stellar, holding a 1.46 ERA against the Philadelphia Phillies while striking out 18 and walking just five.
The Astros are hopeful that version of Valdez can re-emerge as they look to advance in the playoffs. However, after losing Game 1, there is absolutely no margin for error.
For now, the focus shifts to Game 2, where Hunter Brown has been named the starter. The Astros are banking on Brown to deliver a strong performance and keep their postseason hopes alive, while Valdez looks to regroup for a potential next start.
The question is: Will Valdez end up getting that next start? … Or will the Tigers close the series out this afternoon???