• FOR THE WEEK OF MaRcH 27 - apRil 2, 2023 •
YOUR WEEKlY GUiDE TO TV ENTERTaiNMENT
Rebecca Herbst is among the stars of
"General Hospital" weekdays on ABC.
If ever there was a team that could afford to lose a Cy Young winner
like Justin Verlander, it's the Houston Astros.
Indeed, the 'Stros rode a talented pitching young staff through the
postseason to an 11-2 record, culminating with their second World Se-
ries championship in five years. But now as the 2023 season gets going
with Verlander gone to the Mets in free agency, there must be a new
ace on the hill at Minute Maid Park.
Submitted for your consideration: Framber Valdez.
Lost in Verlander's dominant return from Tommy John surgery in
2022 was the emergence of the 29-year-old lefty as a legitmate force.
His numbers were stellar: a 17-6 won-lost record with a 2.82 ERA, 194
strikeouts and only 67 walks in 201.1 innings for a WHIP of 1.16.
In the postseason, he was even better, going 3-0 with a 1.44 ERA in
four postseason starts, including 2-0 in the World Series. Additionally,
he placed fifth in Cy Young voting and was the winning pitcher in the
All-Star Game.
Now as the clear No. 1, the Dominican says he's ready to shoulder
the load as staff ace. With that usually comes pressure, but Valdez says
it's something he welcomes.
"Obviously, we have a lot of great
pitchers and I want to try to be the guy
to lead those guys," he said. "I feel very
responsible for that. I know there will
be a little weight to carry, but it's some-
thing I'm willing to do."
Valdez will likely be on the mound
at Minute Maid Park when the Astros
open the 2023 regular season against
the Chicago White Sox Thursday,
March 30, on ESPN.
Framber Valdez takes the
mound as staff ace in Houston
By George Dickie playerprofile
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