The Houston Astros continue their strong performance, even in the absence of All-Star shortstop Jeremy Peña, who is sidelined with a minor rib fracture. Peña sustained the injury after being hit by a pitch against the Chicago Cubs, leading to his placement on the injured list. Despite this setback, Peña plans to travel to Atlanta for the All-Star Game, although he will not participate in the actual game.

Astros manager Joe Espada confirmed Peña's dedication to recovering, indicating that he has been focusing on rehabilitation and will start working towards a return to the lineup soon. The Astros have demonstrated resilience, managing to sweep the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcasing their depth and talent even without their key player.

The Houston Astros, with a commendable 55-37 record, currently lead the AL West. Despite recent setbacks against the Cleveland Guardians, where they lost two out of three games, the team has reason to celebrate. Third baseman Isaac Paredes has been selected for the All-Star Game, marking his second consecutive appearance. Paredes, who has shown impressive performance with a .255 batting average, 19 home runs, and an .829 OPS, signed a one-year contract worth $6.6 million with the Astros this offseason. His future, however, could demand a hefty price, as predictions suggest a nine-year contract worth $236.8 million may be on the horizon, given his young age of 26.

The American League Rookie of the Year race has tightened significantly, with the Oakland Athletics' Jacob Wilson and Houston Astros' Cam Smith emerging as top contenders. Wilson currently holds the favorite status at -110 odds, but Smith has seen a remarkable rise to +105 after an impressive month, showcasing his potential with a .348 average over the past 30 days. Meanwhile, Boston's Roman Anthony remains an intriguing bet at +1200, despite averaging .345 recently, his numbers lag behind Smith's.

Smith, a former No. 14 overall pick, has transformed expectations since his trade from the Cubs to the Astros. His statistical growth is notable: a batting average leap from .125 in March to .350 in July, supplemented by 80 hits and 39 RBIs. His defensive capabilities also make him a potential Gold Glove candidate, ranking high in Outs Above Average and Defensive Runs Saved. As Wilson's performance dips, Smith is positioned to take the lead in the race for the coveted award, making him a hot betting option now.

As the MLB season approaches the All-Star break, savvy bettors are looking for value in the upcoming matchups. The Kansas City Royals face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the spotlight shines on Kris Bubic. Despite a rocky return to the rotation, he presents an intriguing Over/Under prop of 6.5 strikeouts, largely due to the Pirates' struggles against left-handed pitching. The Pirates hold a staggering 27.1% strikeout rate against lefties, making this bet appealing.

In another matchup, the Houston Astros' Brandon Walter offers a prop of Over 4.5 strikeouts against the Guardians. Walter, a relatively unknown pitcher, has shined in his brief MLB tenure with impressive metrics. Despite the Guardians being a low-strikeout team, Walter's recent form suggests he can clear this number. Bettors should consider these lines carefully for their potential.

The Cleveland Guardians (42-48) face off against the Houston Astros (55-37) tonight, July 9, in Houston, aiming to complete a three-game sweep after winning the first two games of the series. Guardians' Slade Cecconi (3-4, 3.56 ERA) takes the mound against Astros' Brandon Walter (1-1, 4.15 ERA). In their last outing, the Astros rallied from a 6-1 deficit but lost in the 10th inning to the Guardians, highlighting their struggles in both early and late innings.

Recent trends show the Guardians have won their last two games after a 10-game losing streak. Key players to watch include Jose Altuve, who has produced 12 hits in his last 27 at-bats, and Jose Ramirez, who has hit safely in four of his last five games. As the Guardians look to continue their momentum, the Astros aim to avoid a sweep and regain their footing in the series.