Opening day games almost always feature premier pitchers’ matchups. The Astros/Angels last night was no different.
You'd think that if it were a pitcher’s duel between Shohei Ohtani and Framber Valdez, as good as Valdez is, it’s still advantage Ohtani, advantage Angels.
Yes, Ohtani was good. He went 4.2 innings with nine strikeouts and only one walk. But he surrendered four hits, including a third-inning double to Michael Brantley, followed by an RBI single to Alex Bregman.
But Valdez was even better. He pitched 6.2 scoreless innings, allowing only 2 hits, ( one a swinging bunt) one walk and six Ks.