The Houston Astros have been one of the best teams in baseball since the 2017 season, when they won their first ever World Series. From that season on, they dominated by finishing in first place for six of the next seven seasons, while reaching the World Series three more times, and winning once.
In the offseason, the ‘Stros added power hitter Christian Walker to their already potent lineup, but the story of Opening Day was their starting pitcher.
Framber Valdez, who has won 55 games games over the last four seasons, was given the nod in the first game of the 2025 season.
On the other side of the diamond, the New York Mets were looking to get off to a great start with their rewly revamped lineup, that includes Juan Soto.
With Francisco Lindor leading off, Valdez threw an 0-1 sinker and the Mets shortstop took a hearty swing, but lined out to his counterpart at short for the first out of the game.
Then the moment arrived with Soto in his Mets first at bat and in Soto clutch fashion, he drove a 1-0 sinker to the right side of second base for his first Mets hit. But that was all the hits the Mets would muster off Valdez until a 5th inning double off the bat of Luis Torrens.
Meanwhile, the Astros put up a run in the second and two in the third to go ahead 3-0. The Mets had their chances, but could not get any runners home against Valdez, as he tossed seven shutout innings, allowing four hits, with two walks and four strikeouts.
In the eighth, Astros reliever Bryan Abreu got himself in and out of trouble, after he walked three straight batters with two outs, but induced a lineout off the bat of Brandon Nimmo to end the threat.
With the Astros up 3-0 in the 9th, it was time for closer Josh Hader to shut the door but he made it very interesting. Hader allowed two straight singles to Starling Marte and Tyrone Taylor and then walked rookie Luisangel Acuna after a 12 pitch at bat, to load the bases.
Then rookie Hayden Senger came to the plate with his first MLB at bat, but Hader was able to strike him out on four pitches. Now with the Mets best hitters coming up, Hader gave up an RBI sac fly to Lindor and then struck out Soto on a sweeping nasty slider that trailed away from Soto to end the game a secure a 3-1 victory.
Valdez earned his first victory on the season, with Hader earning the save.
Both teams will be at it again on Friday night, with Hunter Brown taking the mound against the Mets Tylor Megill.
