The Houston Astros are preparing to be without their ace Justin Verlander for a brief amount of time.
But that doesn’t mean that their starting rotation is lacking in depth.
Lefty Framber Valdez got the start last night against the Texas Rangers in the first game of a three-game set at Globe Life Field in Arlington.
All he did was pitch eight innings of two-run ball while striking out eight batters.
The Astros won 4-2 and Valdez earned win No. 14 on the season.
In fact, he’s on quite an impressive run as of late.
Last night was his 22nd consecutive quality start.
That’s the longest streak in baseball history of quality starts by a left-handed pitcher.
Framber Valdez has thrown 22 consecutive quality starts, the longest streak by a lefthanded pitcher in major league history.
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) August 31, 2022
Valdez Throws Another Gem
For context, a quality start means a starter goes at least six innings and allows three runs or less.
Valdez did more than that last night, completely baffling Rangers hitters and leading the Astros to an important win on the day that Verlander was placed on the injured list.
Valdez provided them with a nice little pick-me-up in last night’s game.
That’s exactly what the Astros needed in the wake of the news about Verlander.
Valdez is an ace in his own right and his run of quality starts has been nothing short of amazing as the Astros continue to dominate everybody else in the AL West.
Houston still holds the best record in the American League at 83-47, and Valdez and his run of quality starts are a key reason for that.
This is an impressive streak he has going that just so happens to be the longest run of quality starts by a lefty in the history of baseball.
The Astros are going to need him in the final month of the season as they look to wrap up the AL West.
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