Astros Send Left-Hander Valdez To Mound for ALDS Game 2

The Houston Astros will send left-hander Framber Valdez to the mound to start Game 2 of the American League Division Series against the Minnesota Twins on Sunday.

The Twins will counter with Pablo López, the pitcher they acquired last offseason in a trade that sent their top hitter, Luis Arraez, to the Miami Marlins.

The Astros won Game 1, 6-4, putting them up 1-0 in the series. Game 2 starts at 7:03 p.m. at on Sunday Minute Maid Park before the series shifts to Minneapolis for Game 3 on Tuesday.

The 29-year-old lefty has been one of Houston's best postseason starters during his career. He enters this start with a 7-2 playoff record and a 3.41 ERA over 13 games, 12 of which have been starts. He has struck out 75 in 68.2 innings.

The arbitration-eligible starter — who threw a no-hitter earlier this season — went 12-11 in the regular season, with a 3.45 ERA. He struck out 200, a career-high, and walked 57 while batters hit just .228 off of him.

In his last seven regular-season starts he figured in the decision five times (3-2), with a 3.12 ERA. He had 47 strikeouts against 19 walks in his last 43.1 innings.

“Big moment,” Valdez said. “It's going to be a good moment, and the only thing is just to stay focused and win.”

López (1-0, 1.59) made his first career postseason start in Game 1 of the AL Wild Card series against the Toronto Blue Jays. He gave up five hits and one run in 5.2 innings, as he struck out three and walked two.

In his first season with the Twins, he went 11-8 in 32 starts with a 3.66 ERA, as he struck out a career-high 234 and walked 48. He allowed batters to hit .238 against him and had a 1.15 WHIP.

He was 2-2 in his last seven regular-season starts with a 4.24 ERA, which included 47 strikeouts and nine walks in 40.1 innings.

“I know I have to be on my A-game,” Lopez said. “I have to be of the mindset of throwing my best pitches with conviction to get quick outs, quick innings. We've all seen what Framber Valdez is capable of doing. He can throw a lot of innings with little pitches because he's on the attack. He mixes his pitches. He can put guys away.”

Astros-Twins ALDS Schedule, Results

(Best-of-5 series, all times central)

Game 1: Houston 6, Minnesota 4 (Houston lead series, 1-0)

Game 2: Minnesota at Houston, Sunday, 7:03 p.m., FS1

Game 3: Houston at Minnesota, Tuesday, 3:07 p.m., Fox

Game 4: Houston at Minnesota, Wednesday, 1:07 p.m., FS1*

Game 5: Minnesota at Houston, 3:07 p.m., Friday, FS1*

*-if necessary