Astros tab Valdez for third straight Opening Day start

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. -- The suspense surrounding who was going to take the ball on Opening Day for the Astros was almost too much for left-hander Framber Valdez's mother, who had been asking her son for weeks if he was going to get the honor of pitching against the Yankees to open the season on March 28.

Even the mother of manager Joe Espada was bothering her son with the same question -- a question which Espada put to rest on Friday. This will be the third consecutive Opening Day start for Valdez, tying him with Dallas Keuchel (2015-17) for the most by a lefty in club history.

“I think Valdez has worked really hard to get this opportunity and I’m excited for him,” Espada said. “We had a conversation in the office and he was all jacked up about it. I think it’s a good moment for him.”

Valdez gets the first shot at a Yankees lineup that’s anchored by Aaron Judge and now includes Juan Soto and Alex Verdugo.

“I feel good,” Valdez said. “It’s another accomplishment of my career and just another opportunity the Astros are giving me to start the first day.”

Valdez made the All-Star team in ’23 and went 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA, but he faltered in the second half.

After going 7-6 with a 2.51 ERA in his first 17 starts, Valdez went 5-5 with a 4.66 ERA in his final 14 starts, which included an Aug. 1 no-hitter against Cleveland. He lost all three of his playoff starts, posting a 9.00 ERA.

Still, when Valdez is getting his sinker and curveball in the strike zone consistently and inducing ground balls, he has shown how dominant he can be.

“I’ve been with him since I got to the big leagues and I’ve seen the up and downs, and any time he’s got an opportunity to start on Opening Day, it’s a big deal,” Espada said. “You can’t take away from that moment. He’s super excited. … It’s speaks to how far he’s come and I’m proud of the work he’s done.

“He’s a valuable pitcher and one of the best pitchers, one of the best starters in the Major Leagues. I’m proud of him.”