The Cleveland Guardians will keep the red carpet rolled out for the AL West-leading Houston Astros to kick-start a four-game weekend on Friday. It has been a rough 10-game run for the Astros, following their series loss at home to the Boston Red Sox. They are now 4-6 in their last 10 games, including getting swept in their previous road trip by the Oakland Athletics.
Meanwhile, the Guardians handled their business in a series win over the Arizona Diamondbacks. They hope to continue making life difficult for the Astros when facing Houston’s starting right-handed pitcher Framber Valdez.
The Astros got swept by the Oakland Athletics before taking care of business against the Seattle Mariners. And then they got shut down offensively by the Boston Red Sox at Minute Maid Park in a 2-1 series loss in their home building.
Things have been uncomfortably hot and cold for the AL West leader.
There’s hope they can find life against the Guardians with Framber Valdez starting at pitcher on Friday. The 28-year-old lefty has already handed the Guardians one loss this season. So he’ll be salivating at the mouth for an opportunity to hand them another.
But this Guardians team won’t be a walk-in-the-park opponent, either. They gave the Red Sox all they could handle at Fenway Park and then knocked off the Tampa Bay Rays at Tropicana Field. And then they put up some solid offensive numbers against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
However , Valdez has been sensational. He’s throwing a 2.80 ERA with a 1.13 WHIP and 9-4 record on the season. Houston’s offense has been up and down all year long, but if they can deliver the goods in this matchup, Valdez and the relievers should have no problems cleaning things up on janitor duty.