Framber Valdez Already Setting Tigers Records After Another Fantastic Start
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Framber Valdez twirled another six-inning gem on Friday afternoon in his first game at Comerica Park in a Tigers uniform. After his elite six-inning, two-run (one earned), five-strikeout performance in the Tigers' win over the Padres in game two of the regular season, Valdez followed it up with a better outing.
On Friday, he allowed just three hits, walked two, and struck out five over six scoreless innings. He earned his first win of the season. He threw 91 pitches, which means he's likely fully stretched out to 100 pitches if needed during his next go-around.
In fact, his first two starts for Detroit were so good that he's already set franchise records. According to the Tigers' PR team, the last time a Detroit pitcher threw a quality start in the home opener was Spencer Turnbull in 2019.
The last time a Tiger starter replicated Valdez's magic, a quality start in the home opener and his home debut for the Tigers, was Jordan Zimmerman in 2016. When Detroit signed Valdez to the massive three-year, $115 million deal, this is the production it expected.
Framber Valdez Is Picking Up Where He Left Off Last Season
When you make a starting pitcher not named Tarik Skubal the third-highest-paid pitcher in baseball, everyone will have high expectations, and Valdez has reached them so far.
Excluding Justin Verlander's lackluster start to the season, the Tigers' starters have been electric to start the season, and Valdez is a big reason why. Detroit is ranked sixth in starting pitcher ERA on the young season, headlined by Valdez's 0.75 ERA.
He's already setting records for the Tigers, but this is nothing new to him. Valdez owns a 3.34 career ERA over 190 games dating back to 2018. He's posted one season with an ERA above 3.66, way back in 2019. Since 2022, Valdez has started at least 28 games each season and posted a 3.21 ERA and 14.9 WAR.
The 32-year-old has finally arrived in Detroit, and he's just doing what he does best: dominate. If his first two starts are any indication of how this season will go, he may be in the CY Young conversation with Skubal.
2022 was his closest year to the prestigious award, but he finished fifth. He posted a 2.82 ERA in the regular season and a 1.44 ERA in the postseason over 25 innings.
Jeffrey is a sports writer located in Louisville, Kentucky, with a passion for sports, writing, and storytelling. He has hundreds of published articles across various platforms, including Kentucky Today, The Baptist Courier, FanSided, and more. Jeffrey is a senior at Indiana University Southeast pursuing a B.S. in Journalism/Media with a Minor in Writing. He has a beautiful wife, dog, and firstborn child on the way.