Framber Valdez didn’t earn the Astros’ opening day start by accident.
Los Angeles Angels Shohei Ohtani flies out to Houston Astros right fielder Kyle Tucker during the eighth inning of opening day at Angel Stadium on Thursday, April 7, 2022 in Anaheim.ANAHEIM, Calif. — The former Framber Valdez could not prevent collapse when circumstances soured or games got tense. His command can be sporadic. His arsenal induces contact and forces the Astros to play almost perfect defense. Losing one or falling victim to the other would send Valdez into a spiral.
Mike Trout arrived to start the seventh. Valdez executed his plan against the planet’s best player. He received the result he desired, only to watch it disintegrate. Trout sent a routine ground ball to rookie Jeremy Peña. The shortstop sailed the relay throw, pulling first baseman Yuli Gurriel off the bag.
Valdez can fluctuate from fabulous to forgettable. Few who witnessed it will forget his first opening day start. He harnessed everything that makes him menacing and stayed around the strike zone. His sinking, two-seam fastball generated a wealth of weak contact. The Angels could not diagnose his curveball. Four of their six strikeouts concluded on it.
Realizing the potential required Valdez to focus — on the strike zone, on pitching and the game itself. His work with a sports psychologist in the Dominican Republic has been discussed ad nauseum. He said on Thursday he underwent a mentality shift this spring, to “attack the zone and attack the batters.” Mental alterations are admirable. Executing them on the field is vital.
Valdez did not eclipse 95 mph. Ohtani’s first pitch arrived at 99.8 mph. Ohtani averaged 98.5 mph on 12 first-inning fastballs. He hovered around 95.6 mph last season. Opening day creates adrenaline. Not even Ohtani is immune.
Ireland Latest News, Ireland Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels 3-1 for opener recordASTROS GET THEIR SEASON STARTED RIIIIIGHT ⚾🔥 Alex Bregman had 2 RBI and Framber Valdez pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings as the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 in their 2022 season opener. DETAILS LevelUp HTX KPRC2
Read more »
Angels Opening Day: Shohei Ohtani to start for Halos against Astros amid scorching temps in AnaheimThe Angels are set to take on the Astros in Anaheim, with pitcher-designated hitter Shohei Ohtani taking the mound as the Halos' Opening Day starter.
Read more »
Hoornstra: Booed at the outset, Astros remain AL West’s dominant teamThere is no justice in Houston, just a solidly constructed baseball team year after year.
Read more »
Shohei Ohtani strikes out 9, but Angels’ bats go silent in Opening Day loss to AstrosOhtani gives up one run in 4-2/3 innings, but he is removed at 80 pitches. The Angels get just four hits and lose, 3-1.
Read more »
Astros open 2022-23 regular season with matchup against Los Angeles AngelsWhat day is it? It's game day! Our 'Stros are back in action for Opening Day with a matchup against the LA Angels. Here's what fans can look forward to.
Read more »
Valdez bests Ohtani, Astros top Angels 3-1 for opener recordASTROS GET THEIR SEASON STARTED RIIIIIGHT ⚾🔥 Alex Bregman had 2 RBI and Framber Valdez pitched 6 2/3 shutout innings as the Houston Astros defeated the Los Angeles Angels 3-1 in their 2022 season opener. DETAILS LevelUp HTX KPRC2
Read more »