Framber Valdez will toe the slab Saturday for the Astros and the 29-year-old southpaw is 1-2 with a 1.80 ERA, 1.16 WHIP, and 25/8 K/BB ratio in four starts (25 innings pitched) this season. Last Sunday, Framber got a rare loss and I expect him to bounce back here on Saturday in the ATL.

Valdez led the American League in innings pitched last season (201.1). He was 17-6 with a shiny 2.82 ERA and a 194/67 K/BB ratio. Framber has never met Atlanta before so that will benefit the pitcher and the Astros as the ATL batter have never seen his stuff.