Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez won't pitch in this year's World Baseball Classic for the Dominican Republic, according to new general manager Dana Brown. It makes total sense, as Valdez tossed a career-high 201 1/3 innings in the regular season in 2022, which was a big jump from his previous career-high of 134 2/3 from the 2021 campaign. The 29-year-old southpaw was one of the best pitchers in baseball, too, in a breakout season with a 17-6 record, 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and career-high 23.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts overall. RotoBaller currently has Valdez ranked as the No. 25 fantasy starter in all of baseball.

The Houston Astros and left-handed starting pitcher Framber Valdez agreed on a one-year, $6.8 million deal on Friday to avoid salary arbitration. Valdez was excellent in his fifth season with the Astros and earned his first All-Star selection. He finished the year 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), 1.16 WHIP and 23.5 percent strikeout rate in 31 starts. Valdez led the league with three complete games, one shutout, 201 1/3 innings pitched, 827 batters faced and 0.5 home runs allowed per nine innings. The 29-year-old southpaw was absolutely dominant in Houston's run to another World Series championship as well. He'll enter the 2023 season as an SP2 for fantasy managers.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 6 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies when the series shifts back to Houston on Saturday. The 28-year-old Dominican southpaw was outstanding during the regular season, going 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP and a 194:67 K:BB in a league-high 201 1/3 innings over 31 starts as a first-time All-Star. He's carried that success over into the postseason, allowing just five runs (three earned) on 12 hits while walking six and striking out 24 in 19 innings over three starts. In the Game 2 win over the Phillies in the World Series on Saturday, Valdez allowed just one run on four hits while walking three and striking out nine in 6 1/3 frames.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 2 of the World Series in Houston on Saturday against the Philadelphia Phillies. The one-two punch of Justin Verlander and Valdez has been dominant all year. Valdez finished the regular season 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP, a career-high 194 strikeouts and 67 walks in 201 1/3 innings over 31 starts as a first-time All-Star. He's been even better in two playoff starts against the Mariners and Yankees, allowing four runs (two earned) on eight hits while walking three and striking out 15 in 12 2/3 innings to pick up one win. The 28-year-old Dominican southpaw threw five shutout innings with one walk and 10 strikeouts in a win against the Phillies in his only start against them in 2022, which came on Oct. 5.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was at his best Thursday night, giving up just two unearned runs on four hits and no walks in seven innings to lead the team to a 3-2 win over the New York Yankees. Valdez struck out nine batters and took the win. Through 12 2/3 postseason innings this year, Valdez has a 1.42 ERA and 0.87 WHIP with 15 strikeouts. His next start will either come late in this series, or in the World Series if the Astros can finish the job and knock out New York.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start in Game 2 of the American League Championship Series against the New York Yankees on Thursday. In his only start so far this postseason in Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Seattle Mariners on Oct. 13, he allowed two earned runs on four hits while walking three and striking out six in a no-decision in the team's eventual 4-2 win. The 28-year-old Dominican southpaw made just one start against the Yankees during the regular season, giving up three earned runs on two hits while walking three and striking out seven in six innings pitched for a no-decision.

Houston Astros skipper Dusty Baker announced that left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Seattle Mariners on Thursday. He'll be opposed by right-hander Luis Castillo. Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. will start Game 3 of the series for the Astros. Valdez earned his first All-Star nod this year and went 17-6 with a 2.82 ERA (3.06 FIP), a 1.16 WHIP, 194 strikeouts and 67 walks in a league-high 201 1/3 innings over 31 starts for the Astros. He had three complete games and one shutout. In two starts against Seattle in 2022, Valdez went 1-0 and allowed six earned runs on 13 hits while walking two and striking out 15 in 13 2/3 frames.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez had a rough outing on Friday, allowing six earned runs in just 5 1/3 innings pitched during the 7-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays. He gave up nine hits, walked three and struck out two. Valdez has been lousy for two straight outings after pitching 5 1/3 innings with seven runs (four earned) his last time out. The left-hander has had a successful season in the middle of the Astros rotation, as he owns a 2.89 ERA, 1.17 WHIP, 22.7% strikeout rate and 16 wins over 30 games. Valdez should make one more start before the playoffs, facing the Philadelphia Phillies in the season finale on Wednesday.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was excellent in Monday's 7-0 win over the Tigers. Valdez pitched a complete-game shutout, allowing six hits and a walk with eight strikeouts. The 28-year-old has been a fantasy asset all season and is now 15-5 with a 2.50 ERA, 8.47 K/9 rate, and 3.06 BB/9 rate over 27 starts and 179 2/3 innings pitched. His next start should be another favorable one against the Athletics. Valdez has gotten fantasy managers to the playoffs and should continue to help them advance.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez is quietly putting together a fantastic season on the mound. The left-hander went seven innings, zero earned runs, and eight strikeouts in the win over the Texas Rangers on Thursday. This start marked his 19th straight quality start of the season. After this performance, Valdez is posting a 2.73 ERA with 128 strikeouts through 22 starts this season. Valdez should be rostered in all fantasy formats as he could be in the CY Young conversation later this year.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez completed 6 1/3 innings of work on Friday and got his 10th win when his team beat the Cleveland Guardians 9-3. He allowed three runs on seven hits and had just three strikeouts with three walks. His 21.7% strikeout rate doesn't do much for fantasy managers, but Valdez has been great at preventing runs this season, posting a 2.87 ERA and 3.30 FIP. His 1.15 WHIP is impressive, too, and the fact that he plays on the Astros means he's rosterable in every fantasy league.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez faced off against the New York Mets Tuesday night and quieted their potent offense, allowing just six hits and two walks in eight shutout innings. He struck out five batters and earned his eighth win of the season against just three losses. This is Valdez's 12th consecutive quality start, and 13th in 15 tries this season. He has a 2.65 ERA and 1.12 WHIP, with his 80 strikeouts in 95 innings being the only statistic that has not been superlative thus far.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez continued his strong start from April, as the 28-year-old right-hander finished May giving up just 11 earned runs on 33 hits over 43 innings pitched. Valdez also finished May by posting an opponent batting average of just .210 while striking out 33 batters and allowing just 10 walks. With Valdez not being a big strikeout guy -- he throws his four-seam fastball just 5% of the time -- he relies heavily on generating contact with his sinker and curveball. So far in 2022, hitters are barreling Valdez's pitches just 2.2% of the time and have an average exit velocity of just 88.7 mph. Valdez is a top-25 starting pitcher in all standard fantasy leagues and is a must-start fantasy pitcher.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez was excellent on Thursday, tossing seven innings of one-run ball as his club defeated the Rangers 5-1. The left-hander walked Eli White to lead off the game, and he eventually came around for the only run of the night for Texas as Valdez settled down after that in what was a close game up until the Astros blew it open in the eighth. He finished the night allowing six hits and two walks while punching out seven batters to give him a 39/19 K/BB through 48 innings on the year. Valdez hasn't produced as much as fantasy managers would like in the strikeout column, but his 2.68 ERA and 1.26 WHIP are respectable to go along with a 3-2 record. Valdez will face the Guardians at home in his next scheduled matchup where he will look to build on a solid start to his season.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez helped get the team off to a strong start to the 2022 season on Thursday. Facing the Los Angeles Angels on Opening Day, Valdez pitched 6 2/3 innings and allowed two hits, one walk and no runs while striking out six. He earned the win as the team captured a 3-1 victory in the game. The 28-year-old is coming off his best season to date. In 2021, he made 22 starts and went 11-6 with a 3.14 ERA, a 1.25 WHIP and a 21.9% strikeout rate. His second start of the 2022 campaign will come on Wednesday against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez has earned the Opening Day start versus the Los Angeles Angels. He'll be followed by Jake Odorizzi and Justin Verlander who were both deserving of the start as well. The 28-year-old lefty posted a 3.14 ERA, 1.25 WHIP and 125/58 K/BB ratio across 134 2/3 innings in 22 starts last season. He has been a reliable option in the rotation over the last two seasons. Valdez has earned this honor and should be trusted in all fantasy formats.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez will start Game 4 of the World Series on Sunday. Valdez pitched to a 3.14 ERA and a 4.01 FIP in 134 2/3 innings during the regular season, striking out 125 batters while surrendering 58 walks. So far in 17 postseason innings, the 27-year-old has surrendered 24 hits, 12 earned runs, six walks and four home runs while also striking out 15 hitters. He previously gave up eight hits, five earned runs, a pair of home runs and a walk in two innings as Houston's Game 1 starter. Valdez also struck out two batters during that start.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez will take the mound to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Braves. After a shaky postseason start, Valdez was fantastic when it counted most, tossing eight strong innings of one-run baseball in Game 5 of the ALCS. Late-season injuries to Zack Greinke and Lance McCullers Jr. suddenly have Valdez serving as de facto ace for the Astros staff. Valdez posted a 5-2 mark at Minute Maid Park during the regular season with a 1.37 WHIP and a 3.45 ERA through 11 home starts this season. Valdez will have a tough test against a top-to-bottom dynamic Braves lineup in Game 1.

Houston Astros left-hander Framber Valdez has been tabbed to start Game 1 of the World Series against the Atlanta Braves on Tuesday in Houston. Valdez tossed eight innings of one-run ball in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series against the Boston Red Sox and will be starting on regular rest. It's expected that rookie right-hander Luis Garcia will start Game 2 on Wednesday, with right-hander Jose Urquidy going in Game 3 on Friday in Atlanta. Veteran right-hander Zack Greinke figures to be in the mix to start Game 4 after throwing only 1 1/3 innings in his start in Game 4 of the ALCS now that Lance McCullers Jr. (forearm) won't be available for the Fall Classic.

Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez allowed four runs through 4 1/3 innings pitched but the Astros offense led the way to a 9-4 win over the White Sox in Game 2 of the ALDS. Valdez was hit early and often, allowing a run in the first inning before getting tagged for three runs and an early exit in the fifth. Valdez kept the ball in the ballpark but the White Sox have thrived off of left-handed pitching in the regular season. Valdez could be available out of the bullpen if the series is extended to four or five games.