It’s the most important series of the season to this point. Therefore, it’s baffling to us mere fans why both of the Astros’ All-Star calibre starters weren’t scheduled in this series after the All-Star break.
But tonight’s starter, Brandon Walters said, “who needs Framber Valdez?” Maybe that’s the strategy. Maybe coach Joe Espada knew the Astros offense as currently configured would not score enough runs to win even if Sandy Koufax was pitching, so why waste you best arm now. But Valdez wouldn’t have thrown a better game than Walter and no team has much of a chance to win getting only four hits and scoring only one run.