The Houston Astros continue to assert their dominance in the AL West, but their recent victories have come at a cost. The team has endured injuries to key players, including infielder Isaac Paredes, who suffered a hamstring strain in a tight 4-3 win against the Chicago White Sox, and rookie outfielder Jacob Melton, who is dealing with ankle soreness after a two-hit performance against the Minnesota Twins. Paredes, a crucial contributor this season, leads the Astros with 15 home runs and 42 RBIs, making his absence a significant setback.

In response to the injuries, Houston has called up Luis Guillorme from Triple-A Sugar Land to fill the void. Though Guillorme has had a mediocre major league career, his experience could provide depth for the team as they navigate the challenges ahead. The Astros are currently five games ahead of the Seattle Mariners and aim to secure a series win over the Twins, with Hunter Brown set to pitch against Joe Ryan in the upcoming game.

The New York Yankees and Kansas City Royals face off in their final game of the season series Thursday night at Kauffman Stadium. The Yankees have dominated the series, going 5-0 against the Royals, with four victories coming by more than one run. Despite a promising starting pitcher for Kansas City, the Royals enter as underdogs once again.

Key betting insights center on players like Vinnie Pasquantino, Jac Caglianone, and Paul Goldschmidt. Pasquantino, battening cleanup, has recorded an impressive 5 RBIs in his last 8 games and offers a good matchup against Yankees starter Will Warren, who has a high hard-hit rate. Caglianone has potential for more hits, while Goldschmidt's position in the leadoff spot has led him to score 19 runs in just 22 starts.

On June 12, 2025, the MLB landscape is brimming with potential for home run bets, especially given the favorable hitting weather across the East Coast. Star players like Juan Soto and Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets are primed for big performances against pitcher Michael Soroka, who has struggled against left-handed hitters this season. Both players are on hot streaks, with Soto recently achieving a .707 SLG and McNeil hitting a .711 SLG over the last 14 days.

Additionally, Heliot Ramos of the San Francisco Giants is in a good spot at Coors Field facing Antonio Senzatela, who has been vulnerable to right-handed batters. Capping off the spotlight is Vinnie Pasquantino from the Kansas City Royals, who is putting up impressive offensive numbers against a struggling Will Warren. With the right strategies, bettors can capitalize on these matchups.

Despite a disappointing loss to the New York Yankees, rookie Jac Caglianone made a memorable home debut for the Kansas City Royals in front of over 30,000 fans. He contributed to the team's score with a groundout that brought in Vinnie Pasquantino and extended his hitting streak to three games. Caglianone's performance included a total of six hits in his last twelve at-bats, showcasing his potential to invigorate a struggling Royals lineup that ranks 28th in the league for runs scored per game.

His home debut was made even more special by the presence of Kansas City Chiefs quarterback Patrick Mahomes in the crowd, a detail Caglianone reflected on, expressing his gratitude for the warm welcome from fans. The Royals will look to bounce back in their upcoming series against the Athletics, hoping to leverage Caglianone's promising start as they aim to climb out of the Central Division basement.

The 2025 All-Star selections are shaping up to be an exciting event, with plenty of thrilling debates surrounding the National and American League roster candidates. The selection process requires each team to have one representative while balancing pitchers and position players. Key discussions have arisen, notably in the NL around first basemen Freddie Freeman and Pete Alonso, both in remarkable form this season. Freeman leads the league in batting average while Alonso leads in RBIs.

In the outfield, Pete Crow-Armstrong is making a compelling case for MVP, showcasing exceptional defense and surprising power. Meanwhile, the American League highlights include Bobby Witt Jr. vying against Jeremy Peña and Jacob Wilson for shortstop. Additionally, Tarik Skubal is in the running to defend his Cy Young title. With several players, including stars like Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, making their mark, the anticipation for the Midsummer Classic continues to build.