Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez is due to make his second consecutive trip to the MLB All-Star Game, but it appears he’s not satisfied by merely being on the roster.
Following his start on Saturday, Valdez told reporters that he’s hoping to start the game for the American League on Tuesday. More so, the 29-year-old said that if he’s not named the starting pitcher, he “probably wouldn’t” pitch at all.
“I worked really hard to be able to start the All-Star Game. I led the league in ERA ... and it would mean a lot to me,” said Valdez, via Brian McTaggart of MLB.com. “I really want to pitch first inning. If I don’t get the opportunity to do that, I probably wouldn’t pitch in this year’s All-Star Game.”
Ultimately the decision of who starts the game on the mound comes down to the American League manager. That just so happens to be Astros skipper Dusty Baker, who has the potential to fulfill Valdez’s wish, although the righthander threw 105 pitches on Saturday.
He’ll be joined by fellow starting pitchers Gerrit Cole, Shohei Ohtani, Luis Castillo, Sonny Gray, Nathan Eovaldi, Kevin Gausman and Shane McClanahan in representing the American League at the All-Star Game in Seattle, all of whom will be hoping to get the starting nod.
Entering the All-Star break, Valdez boasts a league-best 2.49 ERA. In his eyes, he’s deserving of the honors of starting Tuesday’s midseason classic.
