HOUSTON, TX – July 12, 2025 – Tonight’s second game of the Silver Boot Series at Daikin Park promises a thrilling pitching duel, as two of baseball’s most dominant arms take the mound. The Houston Astros will send their left-handed ace, Framber Valdez, to face off against the Texas Rangers’ formidable right-hander, Jacob deGrom, in a matchup that has fans eager for first pitch.
Houston’s Ground Ball Guru: Framber Valdez (LHP, Houston Astros)
- Current Record: 10-4 with a 2.90 ERA through 18 starts in 2025.
- Brief Bio: Born November 19, 1993, in Palenque, Dominican Republic, Framber Valdez signed with the Astros as an international free agent in 2015. He made his MLB debut in 2018 and has since established himself as a cornerstone of the Astros’ rotation. A two-time All-Star (2022, 2023) and a 2022 World Series champion, Valdez pitched a no-hitter in 2023. Known affectionately as “La Grasa” (The Grease), he’s admired for his consistency and unique style.
- Pitching Style: Valdez is renowned for his exceptional ground ball rate, consistently leading the league in this metric. He relies heavily on a sinking fastball (two-seamer) that induces weak contact and groundouts, making him incredibly efficient. Complementing his sinker, he features a high-70s curveball and an occasional changeup, effectively mixing pitches to keep hitters off balance and generate strikeouts. His ability to limit hard contact and home runs is a hallmark of his success.
Texas’s Dominant Dynamo: Jacob deGrom (RHP, Texas Rangers)
- Current Record: 9-2 with a 2.29 ERA through 18 starts in 2025.
- Brief Bio: Jacob deGrom, born June 19, 1988, in DeLand, Florida, was drafted by the New York Mets in 2010 as a shortstop before converting to a pitcher. He made his MLB debut in 2014 and quickly ascended to become one of the game’s most dominant hurlers, winning back-to-back National League Cy Young Awards in 2018 and 2019. After signing with the Rangers, deGrom has continued to impress when healthy, showcasing elite velocity and command. He’s a five-time All-Star (including 2025).
- Pitching Style: DeGrom possesses an elite arsenal, highlighted by a blazing four-seam fastball that consistently sits in the upper 90s, often touching triple digits. He pairs this with a devastating slider that generates an exceptionally high swing-and-miss rate, and occasionally mixes in a changeup and curveball. His pinpoint command, combined with his overpowering velocity and sharp breaking pitches, allows him to dominate hitters and pile up strikeouts at an extraordinary rate.
Tonight’s game promises a fascinating contrast in styles: Valdez’s ground ball mastery against deGrom’s strikeout prowess. With the Silver Boot on the line and divisional implications looming, both pitchers will be looking to set the tone for their respective clubs.
