Framber Valdez Named Astros Opening Day Starter Against Mets

Framber Valdez has been named the Houston Astros' Opening Day starter for the fourth consecutive year, set to pitch against the New York Mets on March 27. Manager Joe Espada confirmed Valdez's role, highlighting his strong performance last season where he recorded a 15-7 record with a 2.91 ERA and finished seventh in the AL Cy Young voting. Valdez has a reputation for inducing weak contact and has worked on his pitch movement during spring training, achieving a 2.53 ERA in his recent appearances. In his previous Opening Day starts, he has performed well, including a win against the Los Angeles Angels in 2022. The 31-year-old left-hander has a solid career record of 68-41 with a 3.30 ERA over his seven seasons with the Astros. His upcoming start will mark a significant moment as he aims to improve upon last year's opener, where he had a no-decision against the New York Yankees.