Houston Astros starter Framber Valdez has denied violating Major League Baseball rules regarding the use of any sticky substance to try to improve his pitches in the World Series. Videos posted on social media show Valdez constantly rubbing his hands and grabbing part of his glove during his start in Game 2 of the World Series, which the Astros won 5-2 against the Philadelphia Phillies in Houston. “I think no one should think about this the wrong way,” Valdez told the Houston Chronicle. “I do it openly. But they are tendencies that I have.
I do it throughout the game. Maybe to distract the batter a bit from what I’m doing. Maybe, it’s like look at me rubbing different things and nothing about the pitch I’m going to throw. I’ve been doing it all season.” Phillies manager Rob Thomson downplayed the publications’ suggestions about Valdez, although they did note Valdez’s brushes with his glove, hand and ball.
