Valdez (1-0) allowed two hits and one walk while striking out six across 6.2 scoreless innings to earn the win Thursday against the Angels.

EDGE Analysis

Many pitchers will struggle this week to work deep into their first starts after a shortened spring training, but Valdez was incredibly efficient and put together a dominant outing. His method to get there was familiar, as he induced nine groundball outs, though he also racked up 11 swinging strikes on 84 total pitches. Valdez has put together two consecutive seasons with an ERA below 3.60, and his first start of the 2022 campaign makes those results look attainable once again.