Astros Pitcher Framber Valdez Responds To Cheating Allegations: “We Are Winning Legally”
Framber Valdez led the Houston Astros to a comfortable 5-2 victory in Game 2 of the 2022 MLB World Series after Game 1 of the series was a lesson in humility. The left-hander from the Dominican Republic was outstanding that evening and appeared to be in command starting in the first inning.
In 6.1 innings of work, Valdez only gave up four hits and one run. On 104 pitches, he struck out nine batters, giving his team a dominating lead in the game.
Astros Pitcher Framber Valdez Is Accused of Cheating
Numerous fans and those connected to MLB started accusing Dominican pitcher Framber Valdez of cheating to win the game after Houston’s triumph to tie the series.
#Astros starter Framber Valdez was asked about the insinuations online that he was using a substance. "They shouldn't think anything bad about it…I everything out in the open, in plain sight."
(Translation follows his answer) pic.twitter.com/HSL5e9fFu6
— Daniel Gotera (@DTGotera) October 30, 2022
The allegations stemmed from the pitcher touching his right hand before each delivery as if looking for something. Some people theorized that he was able to throw with more accuracy because of a forbidden chemical that gave him a stronger grip. In 6.1 innings of work, Framber has four hits, one earned run, and nine strikeouts.
Several observers have scrutinized Framber Valdez for what seems to be a misunderstanding. Valdez is renowned for his distinctive mound presence and the peculiar way he interacts with various hitters. The All-Star pitcher was once more in the news on Saturday night due to an odd series of circumstances.
It seems like Framber Valdez is going to his right hand for a substance? #WorldSeries pic.twitter.com/ufIAM50D6Z
— Hard Rock Bet (@HardRockBet) October 30, 2022
Valdez switched out his gloves and shoes midway through the contest. This apparent innocent alteration in clothing raised red flags among the baseball community. Framber Valdez argues that his strategies are a diversionary device to disrupt hitters’ rhythm.
Gerrit Cole, an All-Star pitcher for the New York Yankees, recently referred to Valdez’s presence on the mound as “whimsical.” The Astros standout is renowned for employing unconventional strategies to divert opposition hitters.
Lots of chatter here about Framber Valdez appearing to wipe something off his hands before getting checked by the umpires tonight.
Here's a video after Valzez pitched the fifth inning. pic.twitter.com/Rk9WC05sI2
— Rob Tornoe (@RobTornoe) October 30, 2022
After winning the second game of the series, Framber Valdez addressed the media and said that they shouldn’t think poorly of them because they were merely devises to divert the batter.
Framber Valdez, through an interpreter, on the videos circulating: “Nobody should think it the wrong way. Those are just tendencies I do throughout the game, distracting the hitter from what I’m doing.” He said those are “tendencies” he does and said “we’re winning legally.”
— Chandler Rome (@Chandler_Rome) October 30, 2022
“Only tendencies that the Dominicans do just to be able to stay loose. Only tendencies. The important thing obviously is to win. And we are winning, obviously winning, legally. But, yes, just random tendencies,” Valdez said at a press conference.
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