Also for what it’s worth, he’s been doing it all year. 76 RPM increase is well within normal margins for start-to-start variance. That’s the same Framber he’s been all year.

— Ben 🏁 (@midzee4) October 30, 2022

Ben the law student says it's true on twitter. Color me skeptical.

stanek's problem is walks. I think that's why he is in the doghouse a bit

I can't stop laughing. Machete is cheating using Albert's illegal bats. But Albert can go crazy and by crazy I mean do something so far outside his norm it's unbelievable the last 2.5 months of the season and everybody goes all cumbahyah.

Somewhere there is a real story that nobody will touch.

Good morning to everyone but Philadelphia, #RedOctober fans & anyone desperately trying to revisit or create new @astros cheating narratives. Face it: they’re just that good. Everyone learns, sooner or later. #LevelUp #WorldSeries #ad pic.twitter.com/ESTjzl51rW

— Adam Clanton (@adamclanton) October 30, 2022

After reading twitter I can confirm, Philly fans are children.

Philly thinking their fans will be hard on the Astros and affect them? LOL. Do they have any idea what this team has endured the past 2 years?

That's any pitcher. It's happened to Nola, Verlander, and Wheeler so far. He hasn't given up 4 ER (including the postseason) since Aug 25 2021. I know he was out for a while but that's still 15-20 starts ago.

I'm not trying to suggest anything here, I promise, but I don't think I've ever seen a pitcher change their glove without a malfunction, or change their shoes -- let alone both like Framber Valdez has -- in the middle of a start. Let alone a start in the World Series.

— Alex Carr (@AlexCarrMLB) October 30, 2022

Valdez is a really good pitcher. However…

switching gloves
changing cleats
rubbing palm
always wiping hands on hair, pants as he leaves mound

Strange things impossible not to notice. Not saying anything, but asking, WTH is going on?

— Jon Johnson (@jonjohnsonwip) October 30, 2022

Paranoia: " I'm not trying to suggest anything, so let me clearly suggest something"

Clearly it's the magic cleats.

Framber is so far in their head they are going to poop him out.

Orange team bad!

They may not be cheating, but after their past, and now the pitcher is changing gloves and cleats, and they used a illegal bat last night your telling me they aren’t gonna at least look into what framber is doing??? He’s never done this before lmao

— depressed phillies fan (@BryceInHisVeins) October 30, 2022

Tell me you've never watched framber pitch without telling me you've never watched framber pitch

It's not like Framber can't pitch and then suddenly could. These people will ***** about anything. I hope we punch them in the mouth 3x in a row now.

As insufferable as this thread was Friday, I'll take our fans' bleeding over the Phillies making excuses about cheating any day.

amercer said:

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Wait so different people are allowed to use different bats? WTF?

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In the case with Pujols' bats it seems to be more of a safety issue than a competitive one. Maple bats saw a huge up tick in popularity because of their use by Barry Bonds in the early 2000's. Maple being a rather hard and rigid wood they tend shatter more often than ash or hickory bats. MLB did a study of maple in hopes of reducing the flying kindling due to the influx of maple bats. They came up with various weight and grain requirements that the wood used for hickory bats had to meet when the rule went into effect, Since this is seen a safety rule rather than a competitive one bats made for players already playing did not have to meet these requirements. In other words the rule was grandfathered in like the use of batting helmets, batting helmets with ear flaps, etc.

One thing that should be kept in mind, bat makers tend to set aside what they consider to be higher quality wood for the bats of stars. Both Pujols and Maldy used the same model for their bats. Maldy was a teammate of Albert and since he was retiring he asked him if he had a few extra in which he did not mind parting with since they used same bat type. Maldy was definitely looking for a higher quality bat but I'm also certain he was not looking for a loop hole in which to use an "illegal" bat.

I mostly enjoyed Machete calling him Buster Only.
And calling his dumbass out in front of the rest o fthe press.

jkag89 said:

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amercer said:

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Wait so different people are allowed to use different bats? WTF?

---

In the case with Pujols' bats it seems to be more of a safety issue than a competitive one. Maple bats saw a huge up tick in popularity because of there use by Barry Bonds in the early 2000's. Maple being a rather hard and rigid wood they tend shatter more often than ash or hickory bats. MLB did a study of maple in hopes of reducing the flying kindling due to the influx of maple bats. They came up with various weight and grain requirements that the wood used for hickory bats had to meet when the rule went into effect, Since this is seen a safety rule rather than a competitive one bats made for players already playing did not have to meet these requirements. In other words the rule was grandfathered in like the use of batting helmets, batting helmets with ear flaps, etc.

One thing that should be kept in mind, bat makers tend to set aside what they consider to be higher quality wood for the bats of stars. Both Pujols and Maldy used the same model for their bats. Maldy was a teammate of Albert and since he was retiring he asked him if he had a few extra in which he did not mind parting with since they used same bat type. Maldy was definitely looking for a higher quality bat but I'm also certain he was not looking for a loop hole in which to use an "illegal" bat.

---

So, no competitive advantage but a safety issue. New narrative coming soon... "Mandy was trying to murder the Philly players. His nickname is even Machete! What more proof do you need!"

Here’s how the @Astros big 1st inning sounded on SportsTalk790, as called by @raford3 & @SteveSparks37! #WorldSeries #LevelUp @AstrosRadioMLB pic.twitter.com/8icsMu2ozd

— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) October 30, 2022

Here’s how Alex Bregman’s big HR in the 5th sounded on SportsTalk790 as called by @raford3 & @SteveSparks37! #LevelUp #WorldSeries @AstrosRadioMLB pic.twitter.com/HR03zTRRc5

— SportsTalk 790 (@SportsTalk790) October 30, 2022

Framber Time pic.twitter.com/13aqIzonTP

— Astros Radio (@AstrosRadioMLB) October 30, 2022

pic.twitter.com/4bJfSAOym4

— Astros Radio (@AstrosRadioMLB) October 30, 2022

If MLB wants, I'm fine with them revoking Maldy's one hit this WS.

Phillies media: the Astros won't be able to handle what they are about to walk into.

What they walk into:

Excellent explanation by @DALLASBRADEN209 of what went on with Framber Valdez. People don’t realize how sweaty the inside of a glove gets. pic.twitter.com/VMgvt0Heqn

— Brendan (4-3)🇨🇺 ☭ (@Astrocialist) October 30, 2022

Former A's pitcher here calling BS on all the pearl clutchers

Okay seriously Philly? Take the goddamn L and shut the fuck up. Framber is filthy pitcher who doesn’t use any substances. My God. Not defending Houston, just telling Philly to shut up and don’t make excuses for a loss. https://t.co/sFbPLlL4Qi

— Seattle Sports Diaries Podcast (@SEASportDiaries) October 30, 2022

Mariners fans even calling BS on Philly

Farmer1906 said:

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He said the sweat activates the substance too.

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Sweat and rosin is legal.

Wabs said:

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Philly thinking their fans will be hard on the Astros and affect them? LOL. Do they have any idea what this team has endured the past 2 years?

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I'm sure the Phillies themselves will get a boost playing in front of their home crowd but the idea that the Astros will somehow be intimidated by them is just so cute. I doubt Philly fan is clever enough to come up with a new twist on the whole sign stealing sandal in which to rag the 'Stros, in other words, we've heard it all before. Go ahead, do your best all you be doing is stoking the fire which is already ablaze in the belly of this team.

Billy, this is Framber Valdez. He's an excellent pitcher who is so consistent that he broke the single season consecutive quality start streak record. His one defect is that baseball fans think his shoes have supernatural powers and that his sweat is cheating juice. pic.twitter.com/FDupj7QtdT

— Jake Meyers Fan Club Member (@DelRaz09) October 30, 2022