Houston Astros may be employing next-level gamesmanship, and we’re here for it

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Astros pitcher Framber Valdez received a lot of attention after Game 2 of the World Series for the way he rubbed down the baseball in between pitches. With the thought being, he's using an illegal substance to gain an advantage against the opponent. This behavior isn't something that's really new for Framber, but with all the eyes on Houston during the World Series, he is now receiving a higher level of scrutiny.

Plus, catcher Martin Maldonado has been told by MLB he can no longer use the bat Albert Pujols gave him, as this bat is no longer legal to use in MLB unless you were grandfathered in like Pujols. With so many concerns from Philly about the Astros and their reputation over the last several years, could Framber be taking advantage of the situation and leaning into the narrative just to make the Phillies and their fans waste time worrying about a non-issue? Pretty crafty if you ask us.

Check out the video above to learn more!

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The Angels beat the Astros, 3-0. Composite Getty Image.

José Soriano and two relievers combined for a two-hitter and Oswald Peraza hit his first home run since a trade from the Yankees to lead the Los Angeles Angels to a 3-0 win over the Houston Astros on Sunday.

Soriano (10-9) allowed one hit and struck out eight in seven innings. Luis García allowed one hit in a scoreless eighth and Kenley Jansen threw a perfect ninth for his 25th save.

There were two outs in the fifth when Peraza connected off Hunter Brown (10-7) into the bullpen in right-center field to put the Angels up 1-0. His homer comes after his two-run single in the ninth inning Saturday helped Los Angeles to a 4-1 victory that snapped a three-game skid.

Yoan Moncada walked to start the eighth and scored on Mike Trout’s double that bounced off the wall in center field to make it 2-0. Taylor Ward walked before Luis Rengifo reached and Trout scored on an error by Lance McCullers Jr. when the pitcher overthrew first base.

Yordan Alvarez singled with no outs in the first and Soriano walked a batter in the second and sixth innings. The Astros didn’t get another hit until Ramón Urías doubled with one out in the eighth inning. Los Angeles outfielder Taylor Ward was injured trying to make a catch on that hit when he crashed face-first into the metal scoreboard in left field.

He was carted off the field holding a towel to the right side of his face. He was taken to a hospital by ambulance where interim manager Ray Montgomery said he would receive stitches to close the cut and be evaluated.

Brown allowed three hits and a run with five strikeouts in six innings. McCullers Jr. allowed three hits and two runs in his first relief appearance since 2018.

Key moment

The home run by Peraza.

Key stat

It’s the fifth time the Astros have been shut out this month.

Up next

LHP Yusei Kikuchi (6-9, 3.68 ERA) will start for Los Angeles in the series finale Monday against RHP Luis Garcia, who’ll make his return after sitting out since May 2023 recovering from Tommy John surgery.

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