Lance McCullers Jr. is set to make his long-awaited return to the mound for the Houston Astros on May 4 against the Chicago White Sox, marking his first appearance since November 2022. The 31-year-old pitcher recently underwent surgery to repair his right flexor tendon and remove a bone spur, a procedure that took place on June 13, 2023. Astros manager Joe Espada expressed excitement about McCullers' comeback, noting the hard work he put in during his recovery. Historically, McCullers has been a reliable pitcher with a career ERA of 3.48 and a notable postseason track record, including a standout performance during the Astros' 2017 championship run.

Lance McCullers Jr. is poised to make his highly anticipated return to the mound for the Houston Astros this Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, marking his first appearance since the 2022 World Series. After undergoing surgery in June 2023 to repair his flexor tendon and facing setbacks in his recovery, McCullers is ready to take on this challenge, expressing a sense of excitement akin to a debut.

Having completed four rehab starts over the past month, McCullers showcased his readiness with a five-inning scoreless performance in his last outing. Despite acknowledging that he may need time to adjust back to major league competition, he feels confident in his physical condition and is eager to contribute to his team's success as the season progresses.

Lance McCullers Jr. returns to the mound for the Houston Astros this Sunday against the Chicago White Sox, marking his first major league appearance since the 2022 World Series. Astros manager Joe Espada expressed excitement about McCullers' comeback, acknowledging the hard work he has put in following his surgery in June 2023 to repair a flexor tendon and remove a bone spur. McCullers, an All-Star in 2018, has shown promising form during his rehab with 16 strikeouts over 12.2 innings in minor league starts.

With a career record of 49-32 and a 3.48 ERA, McCullers understands the weight of this moment, especially after missing significant time due to injuries since his MLB debut in 2015. His last outing was particularly impressive, with seven strikeouts over five shutout innings for Double-A Corpus Christi. With anticipation building, fans and teammates alike are eager to see how McCullers performs as he aims to reclaim his spot in the Astros' rotation.

On this Wednesday, a pair of intriguing National League matchups dominate the MLB betting landscape. The San Francisco Giants take on the San Diego Padres, where pitchers Landen Roupp and Michael King are set to duel. Roupp's 4.56 ERA is overshadowed by his impressive metrics, including a notable 10.9 K/9 rate. While he has had a shaky start, his ability to limit runs in most outings is promising. King's stellar 2.18 ERA and low WHIP suggest he will be a tough challenge for the Giants. Given both pitchers' strong early-game performances, betting on the 'Under' for runs in the first few innings seems prudent.

In the evening, the St. Louis Cardinals face the Cincinnati Reds with Steven Matz and Andrew Abbott on the mound. Matz's recent form shows promise, but historical struggles against Reds batters raise concerns. Abbott’s solid start to the season indicates he can limit the Cardinals' offense, especially given their struggles against left-handed pitching. The Reds are favored to score high, making their first-five innings line appealing for bettors.

The Houston Astros have decided to postpone Hayden Wesneski's next start as he recovers from his recent outing. Manager Joe Espada indicated that the team is monitoring Wesneski's health, which has been a concern after his fastball velocity dropped during his last performance. Initially scheduled to pitch against the Detroit Tigers, he may also miss an upcoming series against the Chicago White Sox.

In the meantime, AJ Blubaugh, a promising 24-year-old pitcher, could make his major-league debut if called upon for the start. Blubaugh has shown solid performance in the minor leagues, having a respectable ERA. As the Astros prepare for a hectic stretch of games, they are considering a bullpen game or leveraging their depth to ensure pitchers like Wesneski are ready for future matchups.