MLB analyst declares Astros $18 million two-time All-Star ace as main reason for September collapse

TJ Morin

MLB analyst declares Astros $18 million two-time All-Star ace as main reason for September collapse image

The Houston Astros have had one of the most disappointing September collapses in the MLB, and there’s a lot of people to blame. However, one stands out more than the rest. 

According to Fansided's Zachary Rotman, Astros ace Framber Valdez is the biggest reason for Houston’s collapse.

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  “Valdez allowed 19 runs in 20.2 innings of work across four starts to begin September. He failed to complete five innings in two of those four starts, and the Astros failed to win any of those games. Valdez is a huge reason why the Astros are even alive now with how he pitched over the first five months of the season, but there's no denying that with the exception of Thursday's start, he's melted down in September,” Rotman wrote. 

Rotman continued, stating that Valdez’ meltdown is what led to the team’s meltdown, and it’s inexcusable for the ace of their team who wants a big bag in free agency to just fall apart like this. 

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With the season days away from ending, Valdez has a record of 13-11, an ERA of 3.66, 187 strikeouts, and a WHIP of 1.245 in 192 innings pitched. Hopefully Houston makes it to the playoffs, and he goes back to normal.

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TJ Morin

TJ Morin is a Sports Media graduate of Butler University. When he isn’t writing, or arguing about sports, he’s sitting on the couch with his dad cheering for one of their various teams, the Washington Commanders, the Boston Celtics, the Boston Red Sox, the Virginia Cavaliers and the Butler Bulldogs. TJ can be found ranting about them on X @_Big_3_Sports_.