Jared Carrabis on Houston Astros pitcher Valdez: "Cheating is as common in baseball as high socks and sunflower seeds"

Controversy always arises when the Houston Astros do something out of the ordinary. This World Series, their fourth in six years, isn't any different.

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez produced a sensational outing against the Phillies in their 5-2 victory. The starter went for 6 1/3 inning of one-run ball on four base hits, three walks, and nine strikeouts.

However, a few of Valdez's actions came under scrutiny, including what appeared to be a substance he rubbed on his hand.

MLB podcaster Jared Carrabis, who does not shy away from sharing his divisive opinions, quirky observations and many hot takes on games, insinuated that Valdez might be using something illegal. Carrabis went on to say that he shouldn't get upset about it anymore because cheating is a regular occurrence in baseball.

"Cheating is as common in baseball as high socks and sunflower seeds. I can’t get worked up about it anymore," said Jared Carrabis on Twitter.

Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez changes gear in Game 2 of World Series

Framber Valdez delivers a pitch during the early innings of Game 2.

In a move similar to the world of NBA, NFL, and football, Houston Astros pitcher Framber Valdez changed his gear during Game 2 of the World Series against the Philadelphia Phillies.

The lefty started the game off sporting a tan and wheat-colored baseball glove with orange cleats, but in the fifth inning, the pitcher suddenly went for an all-black glove and cleats combination.

"Framber Valdez first inning vs 5th inning. Looks like he changed his cleats and glove from orange to black." - @ MLB Metrics

Among the several theories was that Valdez was superstitious, the gear was uncomfortable, and that the Astros did so to gain an advantage.

Whatever the truth may be, the common spectator might find it peculiar that a pitcher would suddenly change his get-up in a World Series game without a hint of it being dysfunctional or warranting a change ruled by the game officials.