Houston Astros starting pitcher Framber Valdez. (Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports)
The performance of Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez in Game 5 of the ALCS had Red Sox radio broadcasters wondering about cheating.
Framber Valdez was absolutely dealing during the first few innings of his start in Game 5 of the ALCS. Through four, the pitcher held Boston hitless.
He was also doing something that had the Red Sox radio broadcast highly suspicious.
According to the broadcast crew, the way Valdez kept touching his temple was a potential sign of cheating.
The guys in the booth were basically suggesting Valdez might be using an illegal substance, touching his temple to get a bit on the ball.
Red Sox broadcasters run with Framber Valdez cheating accusations
Realistically, this is not the day and age to try using an illegal substance in baseball. The umpires check pitchers as they come off the mound to prevent exactly that kind of cheating. So either Valdez is clean, or he’s figured to a novel way to get one past the umps.
More likely than anything, he’s touching his temple to take advantage of the sweat his body is producing naturally. Pitchers have long talked about the grip something as simple as sweat can provide.
The Red Sox will need to come up with a lot more proof than the observation from the broadcast. It’s a pretty hefty accusation to throw out there in the middle of a playoff game.
The Astros have a reputation, but this one doesn’t seem to hold water.
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