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The Detroit Tigers came into this season with high expectations for 32-year-old southpaw Framber Valdez following his massive three-year, $115 million contract in the offseason.
Unfortunately, his inconsistencies this season have arguably made him the weakest link in a Tigers rotation that's placed more pressure on a bullpen that's already been a significant shortcoming.
Unfortunately, the two-time All-Star and World Series champion in 2022 hasn't lived up to his usual standards as he's struggled with a 5-7 record and 4.57 ERA with a 1.38 WHIP.
Last season with the Houston Astros, Valdez had a 13-11 record and a 3.66 ERA with 187 strikeouts. In his last start against the Chicago Cubs on July 21, it was the second time in his career that he failed to get out of the first inning. Valdez was charged with six earned runs, two walks and one strikeout across 0.2 innings pitched. It was also the fourth game this season where he has surrendered five or more earned runs.
Framber Valdez's rough season with the Tigers continues
In his last four starts, Valdez has sported a disappointing 7.71 ERA and 1.88 WHIP across 18.2 innings pitched, which has been a rough stretch for the Tigers' marquee free-agent signing.
The veteran has put up career-worst stats with a 4.10 ERA, a 1.319 WHIP, 0.9 home runs per nine innings, 7.3 strikeouts per nine innings, a .252 opponents' batting average, a .700 OPS and a 22 percent fly-ball rate. In addition, his 4.16 FIP ranks 25th among qualified AL starters.
Valdez's 4.57 ERA is the third-worst in the AL and the second-highest of his career, with his 5.86 ERA in 2019 being the highest. His rough outing against the Cubs was also the 13th time he has allowed five or more hits this season. His 11 home runs given up across 20 starts are also up from the 15 home runs he surrendered across 31 starts last season.
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