Astros name LHP Framber Valdez as ALCS Game 2 starter

Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker on Saturday named left-hander Framber Valdez as the team’s starter for Monday’s Game 2 of the American League Championship Series.

Justin Verlander had already been named the Astros’ starter in the first play of the game against the Texas Rangers on Sunday. The Rangers are expected to send left-hander Jordan Montgomery to the mound in Game 1.

Valdez, 29, was 12-11 with a 3.45 ERA in 31 starts for Houston this season in which he was named an AL All-Star for the second time. Valdez also started Game 2 of the AL Division Series against the Minnesota Twins and struggled, allowing five runs on seven hits in 4⅓ innings in the Astros’ only loss of the game.

In 14 playoff appearances (13 starts) over the past four seasons, Valdez is 7-3 with a 3.82 ERA. In five career ALCS starts, he is 3-1 with a 1.83 ERA in 29⅔ innings.