The Houston Astros are leading the American League West and are shaping up to be contenders in the American League once again. However, this could be their last run with Framber Valdez.The Athletic's Chandler Rome revealed in the offseason that the Astros did not approach Valdez with extension talks and that he expects to be a free agent after this season.

Jared Triolo, who entered with a .152 batting average, had two of Pittsburgh’s five hits against him. Triolo drove a leadoff double in the third inning and scored on two groundouts. Valdez’s only other blip came in the fifth, when Triolo had the first of three straight two-out singles against him.

Framber Valdez pitched seven strong innings, Isaac Paredes homered twice, and the Houston Astros beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 8-2 after a lengthy rain delay