The 5 best Astros starts from April

Framber Valdez – Game Score: 65 | IP: 6.0 | H: 4 | R: 1 | K: 5 | BB: 2

The only game on this list that the Houston Astros lost and the only one they lost in the four game series in Arlington.  The fact that the Astros scored a total of fourteen runs across four games and won three of them shows you how good the starters were in this series.

Valdez gave up only an unearned run in the second inning and the Astros scored in the top of the seventh to take a 2-1 lead to put Valdez in line for the win, but the bullpen imploded.

Framber was not particularly efficient taking 97 pitches to record 18 outs, walking two  and hitting a batter in the process. That said, he was typical in one way — 10 ground balls to three fly balls.  If Valdez can keep that ratio and walk only two over six innings the Astros have a good chance to win as they did in this game.