Inside the Astros

Astros Announce Major Change to Starting Rotation Against Mariners

The Houston Astros are making a change to their probable starters against the Seattle Mariners.
Kenneth Teape|
Jul 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Daikin Park.
Jul 12, 2025; Houston, Texas, USA; Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez (59) pitches against the Texas Rangers in the first inning at Daikin Park. | Thomas Shea-Imagn Images

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Houston Astros

The Houston Astros entered the All-Star break on a downswing, losing five out of their last six games against the Cleveland Guardians, who swept them, and the Texas Rangers, who won two out of three.

That was not the kind of finish the Astros were hoping for, but they have to be happy overall, sitting in first place in the American League West with a 56-40 record, five games clear of the second-place Seattle Mariners.

Houston will have the opportunity to expand that lead right away, with the AL West rivals set to start a three-game series in their first matchup out of the All-Star break.

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Originally, it was announced that the Astros would be going with left-handed pitcher Brandon Walter in Game 1, followed by right-handed pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. in Game 2 and left-handed ace Framber Valdez taking the mound in the series finale in Game 3.

It was surprising for some to see Hunter Brown not scheduled to start in the first series, and ultimately, the team must have thought the same thing.

That is because, according to Brian McTaggart of MLB.com, Houston made a change to their probable starters against Seattle.

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Instead of Valdez taking the mound on Sunday, it will be Brown toeing the rubber in the finale, with the lefty set to take the mound at some point in their three-game series against the Arizona Diamondbacks set to begin on Monday.

Valdez, who last started on July 12, will have at least one week between starts for the second consecutive outing.

It worked last time, as he put together a gem against the Rangers that day, striking out 10 across six innings, allowing only one unearned run.

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Brown, who started the team’s first-half finale on July 13, was going to have a little extra rest after showing some signs of wear and tear in his final two outings before the break, surrendering 10 earned runs in 11 innings after giving up only 21 earned runs across his first 104 innings of work this season.

For more Astros news, head over to Astros On SI.

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Kenneth Teape
KENNETH TEAPE

Kenneth Teape is an alumnus of SUNY Old Westbury and graduated in 2013 with an Honors Degree in Media Communications with a focus on print journalism. During his time at Old Westbury, he worked for the school newspaper and several online publications, such as Knicks Now, the official website of the New York Knicks, and a self-made website with fellow students, Gotham City Sports News. Kenneth has also been a site expert at Empire Writes Back, Musket Fire, and Lake Show Life within the FanSided Network. He was a contributor to HoopsHabit, with work featured on Bleacher Report and Yardbarker. In addition to his work here, he is a reporter for both NBA Analysis Network and NFL Analysis Network, as well as a writer and editor for Packers Coverage. You can follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @teapester725, or reach him via email at teapester725@gmail.com.

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