Tag Archives: Framber Valdez

Oct 22

ALCS Game Six, 2023

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Texas at Houston, 5:07 PM PDT, TV: FS1. The Astros lead the series 3-2.

The Rangers send out RHP Nathan Eovaldi (3-0, 2.29 ERA postseason) to face the Astros’ LHP Framber Valdez (0-2, 11.57 ERA postseason).

Here’s a preview of the potential series-ender.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1845 The first known box score appears in the New York Morning News. Alexander Cartwright’s notation detailing the game comes a month after some of his fellow Knickerbockers wrote the first set of rules.

  • 1910 After three straight defeats and trailing Philadelphia by a run in the ninth, the Cubs tie the score, winning 4-3 in ten innings for their only World Series victory. The A’s will easily take the Fall Classic in five games.
  • 1960
    “But immortality is nontransferable. The papers said that the other players, and even the umpires on the field, begged him to come out and acknowledge us in some way, but he never had and did not now. Gods do not answer letters.” – JOHN UPDIKE

    The New Yorker magazine publishes Hub Fans Bid Kid Adieu, an article by 28-year-old John Updike chronicling Ted Williams’ last game in the major leagues. The future Pulitzer Prize-winning author, among the 10,000 fans at the fabled game, ends the much-celebrated baseball essay with, “Gods do not answer letters,” as an explanation of the superstar not acknowledging the Fenway faithful after homering in his final major league at-bat.

  • 1975 In a fitting finish to one of the most classic World Series ever played, the Reds beat the Red Sox in a thrilling Game 7 victory, 4-3. Future Hall of Fame infielder Joe Morgan’s ninth-inning bloop single into center field, scoring Ken Griffey, proves to be the decisive hit in the Fenway Park contest.
  • 2011 In the Cardinals’ 16-7 rout of the Rangers in Game 3 of the Fall Classic, Albert Pujols hits three homers, drives in six runs, and collects five hits, equaling three World Series records. ‘Prince Albert’, who also set a Series mark with 14 total bases, connects on fastballs from three different Texas pitchers, joining Babe Ruth and Reggie Jackson for the most round-trippers in a World Series game.

  • 2016 The Cubs win their first pennant since 1945, blanking the Dodgers 5-0 at Wrigley Field in Game 6 of the NLCS. Kyle Hendrick, who goes 7⅓ innings, and Aroldis Chapman combine to face the minimum 27 batters, allowing only two hits and one walk, making it the first time this has occurred in the postseason play since Don Larsen threw a perfect game in the 1956 World Series.
Oct 16

ALCS Game Two & NLCS Game One, 2023

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Texas at Houston, 1:37 PM PDT, TV: Fox

RHP Nathan Eovaldi (2-0, 1.32 ERA postseason) pitches for the Rangers and LHP Framber Valdez (0-1, 10.38 ERA postseason) takes the ball for the Astros. The Rangers lead the series 1-0.

Arizona at Philadelphia, 5:07 PM PDT, TBS

The first game of the series is a matchup of Zac(k)s, as RHP Zac Gallen (2-0, 3.19 ERA postseason) goes for the D-Backs and RHP Zack Wheeler (1-0, 2.08 ERA postseason) pitches for the Phillies.

Before we get to the events of this date earlier in baseball history, here’s a bit of current news which is historical in itself: the Giants have formally interviewed Alyssa Nakken for their vacant managerial job. She’s believed to be the first woman ever to be considered for an MLB manager’s position. She’s been a full-time coach for the Giants since January of 2020, and she coached first base in April of 2022. She was an outstanding softball player at Sacramento State, a three-time All-Conference first baseman and a four-time academic All-American.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1912 Fred Snodgrass’ 10th inning two-base error of pinch-hitter Clyde Engle’s routine pop fly in center field sets up the tying run en route to the 3-2 Red Sox victory over the Giants and a World Championship for Boston. The play, which becomes infamously known as “Snodgrass’ Muff,” is followed by his spectacular catch of a long drive hit by Tris Speaker, but the 20-year-old outfielder historically becomes known as the goat in the Fall Classic.
  • 1969 The Mets, thanks to Ron Swoboda’s double and two Oriole errors in the eighth inning, win their fourth straight World Series game to become World Champions. Jerry Koosman tosses a five-hitter, beating Baltimore 5-3 in Game 5, in a contest best remembered for manager Gil Hodges winning the ‘shoe polish’ argument.

  • 1983 The Orioles win their fourth straight contest against the Phillies and take the World Series in five games. Scott McGregor pitches a five-hit complete game in the 5-0 victory at Veterans Stadium, and Eddie Murray hits two home runs.
  • 1999 In a game slated to be a battle between the respective aces of each team, the Red Sox crush the Yankees in Game 3 of the ALCS, 13-1. The dream pitching duel between Pedro Martinez and Roger Clemens at Fenway Park doesn’t materialize when the ‘Rocket’ fails to get out of the third inning, giving up five earned runs on six hits.
  • 2020 The sixth inning of Game 5 of the NLCS was the best of times and the worst of times for Will Smith, the Dodgers catcher, who smacks a three-run homer off Will Smith, the Braves reliever. The Globe Life Field matchup marks the first time in postseason history that features a hitter facing a pitcher with the same first and last name.
Oct 08

ALDS Games Two, 2023

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Texas at Baltimore, 1:07 PM PDT, TV: FS1

LHP Jordan Montgomery pitches for the Rangers and RHP Grayson Rodriguez goes for the Orioles. Texas has a 1-0 lead in the series.

Minnesota at Houston, 5:03 PM PDT, TV: FS1

RHP Pablo López takes the mound for the Twins and LHP Framber Valdez does so for the Astros. Houston leads the series 1-0.

Today in baseball history:

  • 1908 In a make-up contest necessitated by Fred Merkle’s baserunning blunder on September 23, Three Finger Brown outduels Christy Mathewson, 4-2, as the Cubs win the National League pennant by one game over the Giants in one of the most dramatic pennant races of all time.
  • 1929In front of 50,000 fans at Wrigley Field, surprise starter Howard Ehmke establishes a new World Series record, striking out 13 Cubs en route to a 3-1 A’s victory in Game 1 of the Fall Classic. The mark will last 34 years until Dodger hurler Carl Erskine fans 14 Yankees in 1953.
  • 1939 In the top of the tenth, Yankee outfielder Joe DiMaggio scores from first base when Reds’ catcher Ernie Lombardi lies in a daze at home plate after being run over by ‘King Kong’ Charlie Keller. The Bronx Bombers score three runs thanks to ‘Lombardi’s Swoon,’ winning the game, 7-4, to complete the World Series sweep and become the first club to win four consecutive Fall Classics.
  • 1956 Don Larsen pitches the first perfect game in World Series history, defeating the Dodgers, 2-0 in Game 5 of the Fall Classic at Yankee Stadium. The 27-year-old right-hander, who had a poor start in Game 2 because of a lack of control, throws only 97 pitches, striking out pinch-hitter Dale Mitchell looking for the final out.
  • 1957 Club President Walter O’Malley makes it official, announcing the Dodgers will play in Los Angeles next season. The club’s departure from Brooklyn corresponds with the massive social shift in the borough that finds many of its former residents leaving for the suburbs of Long Island.
  • 1966 The Orioles collect only three hits off Claude Osteen, but Paul Blair’s fifth-inning 430-foot home run proves to be the difference when Baltimore beats the Dodgers in Game 3 of the World Series, 1-0. Wally Bunker throws a six-hitter, winning the first Fall Classic game ever played in Baltimore.
Nov 05

World Series Game Six, 2022

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Phillies at Astros, 5:03 PM PDT, TV: Fox

The Phillies ask RHP Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82 ERA regular season; 1-2, 2.67 ERA postseason) to stop the Astros’ seeming juggernaut and force a Game Seven. The Astros hand the ball to LHP Framber Valdez (17-2, 2.82 ERA regular season; 2-0, 1.42 ERA postseason) and ask him to finish the Series tonight.

Today in baseball history is mostly filled with managerial moves, including Chuck Tanner’s ascent to the Pirates, Burleigh Grimes to the Dodgers, and Paul Molitor to the Twins.

Oct 29

World Series Game Two, 2022

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Phillies at Astros, 5:03 PM PDT, TV: Fox

The Phillies came back from a 5-0 deficit and took Game One on a Realmuto HR in the 10th inning. For today’s game they hand the ball to RHP Zack Wheeler (12-7, 2.82 ERA regular season; 1-1, 1.78 ERA postseason). The Astros counter with LHP Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA regular season; 1-0, 1.42 ERA postseason).

Today in baseball history was mostly a day of contract signing and manager movements, as until the advent of the playoff system the World Series had concluded by the end of October. There were still a couple of games played on October 29, though:

  • 2008. The Phillies complete the first-ever suspended game in World Series history, playing three innings at Citizens Bank Park, beating the Rays, 4-3, in Game 5 to win the Fall Classic. The World Championship is only the team’s second in franchise history and the first since 1980.
  • 2014 In Game 7 at Kauffman Stadium, the Giants clinch their third World Series in five years when the team defeats the Royals, 3-2. San Francisco’s 25-year-old southpaw Madison Bumgarner, the MVP of the Fall Classic, hurls the five final scoreless innings to earn the save in addition to his victories in Games 1 and 5.
Oct 20

ALCS Game Two, 2022

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Yankees at Astros, 4:37 PM PDT, TV: TBS

The Yankees give the ball to RHP Luis Severino (7-3, 3.18 ERA regular season; 0-0, 4.76 ERA postseason). He’ll face the Astros’ LHP Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA regular season; 0-0, 3.18 ERA postseason).

Gene Tenace hits yet another World Series HR, Orel Hershiser closes out the 1988 WS, the 2004 Red Sox come all the way back from an 0-3 deficit to beat the Yankees for the fourth straight time in the ALCS to move on to the World Series and much more today in baseball history.

Oct 13

ALDS Games Two, 2022

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Mariners at Astros, 12:37 PM PDT, TV: TBS

RHP Luis Castillo (4-2, 3.17 ERA) pitches for the Mariners and LHP Framber Valdez (17-6, 2.82 ERA) pitches for the Astros.

Guardians at Yankees, 4:37 PM PDT, TV: TBS

RHP Shane Bieber (13-8, 2.88 ERA) gets the ball for the Guardians and LHP Nestor Cortes (12-4, 2.44 ERA) gets it for the Yankees.

Oct 31

World Series Game Five, 2021

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Astros at Braves, 5:09 PM PDT, TV: Fox

LHP Framber Valdez (Postseason 1-1, 6.35 ERA) tries to halt the Braves’ march to the title, while LHP Tucker Davidson (0-0, 3.60 ERA) opens for the Braves. Valdez won Game Five of the ALCS, giving up just one run over eight innings to the Red Sox. Davidson was not initially on the World Series roster but replaced Charlie Morton, who broke his leg in Game One.

On this date in baseball history Derek Jeter hit a game-winning HR in the 10th inning of Game Four of the 2001 World Series, earning himself the nickname “Mr. November.” In Game Three of the 2009 World Series a fly ball off Alex Rodriguez’s bat became the subject of the first use of instant replay in a Series, and in 2010 the battery of Madison Bumgarner and Buster Posey were the first rookies to start a World Series game since Spec Shea and Yogi Berra in 1947.

Lineups when available.

Astros:

Braves:

Oct 25

World Series Game One, 2021

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Braves at Astros, 5:09 PM PDT, TV: Fox

The Braves send out righthander Charlie Morton (Postseason 0-1, 3.77 ERA), who’s got World Series experience with the Astros (2017) and the Rays (2020). He’ll face the Astros’ lefthander Framber Valdez (Postseason 1-0, 4.20 ERA). He had the longest outing of any starter this postseason on any team: eight innings of three-hit ball against the Red Sox in Game Five of the ALCS. This will be his first World Series.

I’m no fan of the Braves and their loathsome “tomahawk chop” and chant, but my disdain for the Houston Astros can be measured in metric tons, so I guess I’m very mildly rooting for the Atlanta team.

Addendum: Here’s what a guy at Deadspin says about these teams after making suggestions to improve the playoff system:

In the meantime, enjoy the baseball being played by two very good teams who were not the best in baseball this year but earned their way to the World Series. There’s no good rooting option — it’s the cheaters (yes, we’re still for Dusty Baker getting a ring) against the racists (yes, Freddie Freeman seems like a real good dude, and Tyler Matzek is a fantastic story, and so is Eddie Rosario, and not everyone who roots for that team is a racist, but seriously, we’ve been hearing the Chop for 30 years despite it being called out for what it is FROM THE JUMP — oh, and they had anti-vaxxer Travis Tritt sing the national anthem on Saturday) — but the games should be good.

Lineups when available.

Braves:

Astros:

Oct 20

ALCS Game Five, 2021

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Astros at Red Sox, 2:08 PM PDT, TV: FS1

LHP Framber Valdez (postseason 0-0, 7.71 ERA) goes for the Astros and LHP Chris Sale (postseason 0-0, 14.73 ERA) goes for the Red Sox. Yes, it’s a rematch of the Game One pitchers. Houston won that one.

Lineups when available.

Astros:

Red Sox: