A unique initiative is underway in Japan as 12 active Japanese MLB players, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki, will be honored with custom manhole covers starting June 16. The installations will take place at locations linked to each player's baseball roots.

Among the honorees is St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who represented Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Nootbaar, who has Japanese heritage, will have his cover unveiled on June 23 in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. Despite a strong start to the season, Nootbaar has struggled recently, hitting just .128 in June with 15 strikeouts.

The Pittsburgh Pirates are set to face the Chicago Cubs in Game 2 of their series at Wrigley Field. The Pirates enter with a record of 28-41 while the Cubs boast a stronger 41-27. On the mound for Pittsburgh, Paul Skenes has been impressive with a 1.88 ERA and 4-6 record, striking out at least 7 players in each of his last five outings. The Cubs will counter with Cade Horton, whose 4.11 ERA and less effective outings raise concerns. In their previous matchup, the Cubs edged out the Pirates 3-2, with notable home runs from Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki.

Betting trends favor the Cubs, who have won 11 of their last 13 games at home, while the Pirates have seen 83% of their recent games go under the total. With strong pitching from Skenes and key offensive players like Crow-Armstrong and Suzuki, the stage is set for an intriguing game.

The Pittsburgh Pirates faced a narrow defeat against the Chicago Cubs, losing 3-2 at Wrigley Field, leaving the bases loaded in the seventh inning. Pete Crow-Armstrong and Seiya Suzuki both provided key home runs for the Cubs, with Crow-Armstrong's two-run shot breaking the scoreless tie. The Pirates managed to score in the seventh, with Adam Frazier driving in a run followed by a walk that brought them within one run. Despite their late-game surge, they couldn't capitalize on the opportunity.

Thursday's MLB slate features a pair of day-night split cards, with the night card starting at 6:35 EDT showcasing five games, providing a unique DFS opportunity. Quality pitching options are limited, yet standout players emerge, most notably Framber Valdez from Houston, who boasts a remarkable 1.84 ERA and 0.86 WHIP over his last six starts. Valdez is set to face a struggling Chicago White Sox team ranked near the bottom in several offensive categories, making him a must-have in lineups.

On the hitter's side, Chicago Cubs' Seiya Suzuki continues to impress with an impressive OPS, particularly against left-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Isaac Paredes has found his stride with the Astros, making him a valuable selection against Davis Martin. As for value bats, players like Kerry Carpenter and Vinnie Pasquantino are also proving their worth. The Houston Astros represent a solid stacking option against Martin, especially with Jeremy Pena and Jose Altuve performing well recently.

Seiya Suzuki showcased his power at Comerica Park, leading the Chicago Cubs to a 6-1 victory over the Detroit Tigers with two home runs. His performance was part of a five-home run display from the Cubs, with contributions from Pete Crow-Armstrong, Michael Busch, and Matt Shaw. Jameson Taillon dominated on the mound, throwing seven innings and allowing only one run as the Cubs improved to 18-7 in their last 25 games. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized that the team has made it hard to beat them consistently.

Suzuki's success comes amid friendly competition with Crow-Armstrong, both vying for an All-Star spot. The Cubs offense capitalized on their opportunities despite only seven hits, showing their ability to make each swing count. As Taillon prepares for a key start against rookie Cade Horton, the Cubs are looking to extend their winning streak and solidify their place among the league's elite.