Following Wednesday’s shutout win, the Pittsburgh Pirates are back in action against the Houston Astros on Thursday. Veteran left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez takes the mound for the visitors and poses a challenge for the Pirates’ scuffling offense.
Valdez has received American League Cy Young votes in each of his last three seasons and enters Thursday’s game on pace to continue that trend. The lefty sports a 3.12 ERA, as well as a sizeable 60% groundball rate.
The lefty uses a sinker, curveball, and changeup combination, although his sinker is what he’s best known for. He uses the pitch both early in at-bats to get ahead, as well as to induce weak contact. Deeper in counts, his curveball and changeup provide swing-and-miss stuff to put hitters away. Valdez’s arsenal allows him to work out of jams effectively as well; the veteran led the league in double plays induced in 2024.
On top of Valdez’s pure talent, his release provides a challenge to the Pittsburgh lineup. The Pirates are just 4-9 in games started by left-handed pitchers this season, and their wRC+ of 68 against southpaws is 27th in baseball.
Bryan Reynolds and Alexander Canario are the only players on the active roster with multiple home runs against lefties this season. The latter is hitting just .190 against them. Andrew McCutchen may have to be the engine for Pittsburgh’s lineup. His .309 batting average leads the team against left-handed pitching.
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High strikeout rates against lefties up and down the lineup have been an Achilles’ heel for the offense. While Valdez isn’t overpowering, his offspeed pitches may give Pirate hitters trouble.
Each team owns a 3-0 shutout victory in the series, meaning Thursday’s winner will take the series. The Philadelphia Phillies travel across the state to face the Pirates in a three-game series, beginning on Friday.
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