Two starters that have experienced some dominant summers took the hill in the opener between the Astros and Rays. One looked much sharper than the others.
Valdez was coming off a near no-hitter against the Rangers. Despite a slow start to the season, he has once again proven to be one of the most productive pitchers in the league. Bradley had a forgettable start in his last outing against Baltimore but is still fresh off winning the July American League Pitcher of the Month award.
Yandy Diaz hit third for a third straight game, his first start in that spot against a left-handed pitcher. It seems like a decision from Kevin Cash that will stick through the season.
Bradley made a mistake early in the game, trying to beat Alex Bregman with an inside fastball. Bregman got his hands to it and quickly homered to left, giving Houston a 1-0 lead. While he flashed his electric fastball at times and managed to strikeout six, it was a second consecutive disappointing start for Bradley.
The Rays lone run came on a sac fly from Jose Caballero, which brought Taylor Walls home. Walls reached on the easiest triple you will ever see.
It went Kevin Kelly to Richard Lovelady to Cole Sulser out of the bullpen. Very few stuck around to watch.
I’ll be spending the rest of the season thinking, What excites me for 2025? I have tossed whatever playoff hopes I was clinging to, and I have to say it’s a more enjoyable viewing experience this way. With that being said, tonight’s performance did little to stoke my expectations for next season.
