Daikin Park welcomed home a ceremonial return for Houston as Cristian Javier came back from Tommy John surgery, delivering five innings in his first major-league start in 14 months. Alex Bregman returned to a raucous reception, launching a two-run shot in his first Houston at-bat since leaving Fenway Park years earlier. Ramón Urías, traded from Baltimore, homered in his Astros debut, while Jeremy Peña and Yainer Diaz contributed run-scoring hits and a late defensive gem. Boston’s rally fell short as the Astros held on for a 7-6 opener to maintain a one-game lead over Seattle in a tight AL West race.

The game highlighted a host of storylines: Javier’s velocity rebounded to the 93.5 mph four-seamer range with a new sinker wrinkle; Bregman’s presence injected energy and offense; Correa drew loud cheers in his return to Houston; and Urías arrived with instant impact. The Red Sox, led by Yoshida and Rafaela in late-inning bursts, fought back but couldn’t fully erase Houston’s early cushion. The win set the tone for a three-game set as Houston seeks to keep the division edge intact.

This slate of MLB matchups presents a challenging scenario for fantasy enthusiasts, particularly with a strong lineup of pitchers in favorable spots. Among the elite options, Jacob deGrom from the Texas Rangers stands out. With a stellar 2.13 ERA and 0.89 WHIP, he has been exceptional, allowing two runs or fewer in 14 consecutive starts. This makes him a compelling choice against the struggling Los Angeles Angels, who rank poorly in several offensive categories.

For those looking for value picks, Noah Cameron of the Kansas City Royals is another intriguing option against the Pittsburgh Pirates, who have been dismal offensively. In terms of hitters, Bobby Witt Jr. and Salvador Perez are key players to consider, especially with favorable matchups against Andrew Heaney. Other valuable targets include Tyler Freeman of the Colorado Rockies and Rob Refsnyder of the Boston Red Sox, both of whom have demonstrated strong recent performance.

The Boston Red Sox are poised for a boost in their offensive lineup with the imminent return of designated hitter/outfielder Masataka Yoshida. After a shoulder injury sidelined him for a significant part of the season, he is expected to make his 2025 debut during the upcoming homestand, according to manager Alex Cora. Yoshida's return is crucial as the Red Sox aim to capitalize on their slim 2.5-game deficit in the playoff race. Cora has indicated plans to platoon Yoshida with Rob Refsnyder, which could enhance their batting production.

Yoshida's stats from the previous season highlight his potential impact, boasting a .280 batting average with 10 home runs and 56 RBIs, alongside a .764 OPS in 108 games. Prior to his injury, he demonstrated decent form, hitting .286 in the preseason. His return could not only rejuvenate the Red Sox's lineup but also bolster their postseason aspirations for the first time since 2021.

The Boston Red Sox are looking to bounce back against the Los Angeles Angels after a disappointing opener in their three-game series. The Red Sox lost after conceding four runs in the eighth inning. They are expected to improve with Garrett Crochet on the mound, boasting an impressive 2.20 ERA and leading the league in strikeouts. The Angels counter with Tyler Anderson, who has struggled recently with an ERA above 8 in June. Boston consistently performs well against left-handed pitchers, ranking fourth in wRC+ versus lefties, while the Angels lag behind.

For fantasy managers, Rob Refsnyder is a strong play, particularly against lefties, and he has a solid track record against Anderson. Mike Trout, despite an underwhelming season, shows signs of a potential resurgence. His recent performance since returning from injury suggests he could find his groove in this matchup. The odds favor Boston to cover a -1.5 spread, making them an appealing choice for parlay bets.

On June 24, 2025, Casey Wilson unleashes his favorite MLB player prop bets focusing on home runs. With favorable weather on the East Coast, the bets hinge on player matchups rather than stadium effects, especially outside Coors Field. Highlighted players include Ernie Clement of the Toronto Blue Jays, who has shown impressive stats against left-handed pitchers, making him a strong bet against Logan Allen. Nolan Arenado, facing Jameson Taillon, is also poised to hit a home run due to Taillon's struggles with right-handed hitters. Rob Refsnyder and Byron Buxton round out the list, with both players poised to capitalize on their matchups.