**Astros Set to Rely on Framber Valdez for Crucial Game 1 Against Tigers**

The Houston Astros are gearing up for the playoffs, keen to prove their mettle once again. On Sunday, team correspondent Julia Morales revealed that left-handed pitcher Framber Valdez will be starting Game 1 of their Wild Card Series against the Detroit Tigers.

Valdez has been the ace of the Astros’ pitching staff for several seasons and 2024 was no exception. The Dominican Republic native compiled an impressive 2.91 ERA, 1.11 WHIP, and struck out 169 batters over 176 1/3 innings this year. His consistency on the mound has been a key factor in Houston’s ability to capture the American League West title after a rocky start to the season.

In their matchup, the Astros will face a formidable opponent in Tarik Skubal, a leading candidate for the Cy Young Award, who will be pitching for the Tigers in Game 1. Houston understands the difficulty of the challenge ahead, particularly as Detroit has been one of the hottest teams in Major League Baseball over the past few months.

Valdez has faced the Tigers once this season, allowing two earned runs on six hits over 7.0 innings, contributing to a 5-2 victory. However, given the Tigers' recent surge, this upcoming game poses a significantly different challenge. For the Astros to set the tone and secure an early advantage in the series, a strong performance from Valdez will be critical.

Former Astros manager A.J. Hinch, now at the helm of the Tigers, knows well the difficulties of winning at Minute Maid Park. The Houston team is determined to make sure their home-field advantage counts, leaning on their history of postseason success.

Anticipation is high for an exciting and competitive series, but for Houston, winning Game 1 is crucial. With Valdez on the mound, the Astros believe they have their best shot at taking an early lead in this pivotal clash.