Framber Valdez takes the mound as staff ace in Houston

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 Series 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 something 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.

Name: Framber Valdez

Birth date: Nov. 19, 1993

Birthplace: Sabana Grande de Palenque, Dominican

Republic

Height/weight: 5 feet 11 inches/239 pounds

Teams: Houston Astros (2018-present)

Position: Starting pitcher

Bats/throws: Right/left No.: 59

8 p.m. ESPN2 Premier Hockey Federation Minnesota Whitecaps vs. TBA. Championship game.

Tuesday

7:30 p.m. NBCSCH Dallas Stars at Chicago Blackhawks. From the United Center in Chicago.

Wednesday

6:30 p.m. TNT New York Islanders at Washington Capitals. From Capital One Arena in Washington, D.C.

9 p.m. TNT Minnesota Wild at Colorado Avalanche. From Ball Arena in Denver.

Thursday

7:30 p.m. NBCSCH St. Louis Blues at Chicago Blackhawks. From the United Center in Chicago.

Saturday

2 p.m. WLS Boston Bruins at Pittsburgh Penguins. From PPG Paints Arena in Pittsburgh.

7 p.m. ESPN2 NBCSCH New Jersey Devils at Chicago Blackhawks. From the United Center in Chicago.

WPWR AHL Hockey Rockford IceHogs at Chicago Wolves. From Allstate Arena in Rosemont, Ill.

Outdoors

Sunday

11 a.m. WFLD WYZZ Fishing Bassmaster Classic. From Tennessee River in Knoxville, Tenn.

Sportsquiz

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SOCCER Saturday

9 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Arsenal vs. Leeds United. Arsenal takes on Leeds United at Emirates Stadium in matchround 29 of the Premier League. This match is a re-run of the 1972 FA Cup Final when Alan Clarke’s second-half goal secured the trophy for Leeds. It remains the Whites’ only FA Cup triumph.

11 a.m. WLS Bundesliga Soccer

Bayern Munich vs. Borussia Dortmund. FC Bayern München is up against Borussia Dortmund at Allianz Arena in matchround 26 of the Bundesliga. This season’s top two sides drew 2-2 in this season’s reverse fixture. Only Bayern or Dortmund have won the Bundesliga in the last 13 seasons.

11:30 a.m. USA Premier League Soccer Chelsea vs. Aston Villa. Chelsea contests Aston Villa at Stamford Bridge in matchround 29 of the Premier League. Villa has won only one of the last 11 Premier League matches against Chelsea, a 2-1 home win on the last day of the 2020/21 season (César Azpilicueta red card).

WBBM WMBD NWSL Soccer

Portland Thorns FC at Kansas City Current. From Children’s Mercy Park in Kansas City, Kan.

6:30 p.m. WFLD WYZZ MLS

Soccer Seattle Sounders FC at LA Galaxy. From Dignity Health Sports Park in Carson, Calif.

BY GEORGE DICKIE