In a tightly contested matchup between the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros manager Joe Espada opted for Shawn Dubin as his seventh-inning reliever instead of the usual Bryan King. Dubin, who has showcased impressive statistics this season, entered with a solid 0.77 ERA over ten appearances. He effectively neutralized the Pirates' right-handed hitters, contributing to a 3-0 victory for the Astros.

Espada recognized Dubin's potential for higher-leverage situations, noting his ability to handle both righties and lefties effectively. This performance comes after Dubin's earlier setbacks from injuries, making his current form a welcome return to the mound. His strategic use of pitches, particularly the slider, indicates his growth as a reliever, which could benefit fantasy leagues as he gains more trust from the coaching staff.

Lance McCullers Jr. stepped up for the Houston Astros in a crucial matchup against the Seattle Mariners, showcasing his potential to solidify the rotation as injuries mount. Despite a high pitch count, his performance included eight strikeouts over 4⅓ innings in a 9-2 victory. McCullers emphasized the importance of effective game strategies, aided by catcher Victor Caratini, and felt he made significant progress after his lengthy recovery from surgery.

After a shaky start, McCullers found his rhythm, striking out key hitters like Jorge Polanco and Cal Raleigh, showcasing his commanding slider. Coach Joe Espada noted the challenge of balancing McCullers' development and bullpen management as the team strives to maintain strength in their pitching staff.

Veteran catcher Victor Caratini is adapting to Major League Baseball's new automated ball-strike system after his debut during a Grapefruit League game for the Houston Astros. In a match against the Mets, Caratini successfully challenged the umpire's calls on two pitches, showcasing the potential advantages of this technology for catchers. He expressed concern about the impact of the automated strike zone on the traditional role of pitch framing, a skill that has defined many catchers' careers.

Despite the uncertainty surrounding the system's future, which isn't expected to fully arrive in the majors until 2026, initial responses have been positive from players and managers alike. Astros manager Joe Espada remarked on the quickness of the challenge process, indicating that the system holds promise for improving call accuracy. Caratini, who has spent eight seasons in the majors, is preparing to adjust his techniques, emphasizing the need for catchers to learn the strike zone better in a changing landscape.