Isaac Paredes, the Houston Astros' third baseman, will miss the MLB All-Star Game due to a family matter. Recently added as a replacement for José Ramírez, this marks Paredes' second consecutive All-Star selection. Despite his absence from the All-Star festivities in Atlanta, Astros' manager Joe Espada expects him back for the first series post-All-Star break in Seattle. Paredes has been a standout for Houston, leading the team with 19 home runs and ranking second in RBIs with 49, solidifying his place among the top third basemen in the American League.

Several other Astros are set to participate in the All-Star Game, including pitchers Hunter Brown and Josh Hader, along with shortstop Jeremy Peña. However, Peña is currently on the injured list due to a fractured rib and will attend the festivities but will not play. With Paredes not joining, only Hader is expected to appear in the game for the Astros.

Hunter Brown's rise to an MLB All-Star this season has been marked by impressive performance improvements, particularly in his ERA, which has dropped to 2.21 from 3.49 last year. His strikeouts are way up, already nearing last year’s total midway through the season. Much of this success can be traced back to a pivotal conversation with teammate Jose Altuve, who advised Brown on pitch strategy, emphasizing the importance of adjustments in his pitching.

Hunter Brown of the Houston Astros has been replaced on the American League All-Star roster by Joe Ryan of the Minnesota Twins, following Brown's recent performance. The reasons for Brown's replacement were not disclosed. It's notable that pitchers who start on the Sunday before the All-Star Game can be replaced, which could apply to Brown, who pitched recently. His exclusion comes despite impressive stats, including a second-best ERA of 2.21 in the American League, and he ranks third in strikeouts with 129.

Meanwhile, Astros shortstop Jeremy Peña is sidelined due to a fractured rib, and Isaac Paredes has been added to the AL roster as a replacement for the Guardians’ José Ramírez. This change adds to the dynamic nature of the roster just before the All-Star Game, with the Astros still managing key players during the season.

Hunter Brown's ability to limit hard contact was tested during his start against the Cleveland Guardians, where he allowed six runs on six hits. Despite struggling, he showcased his potential by maintaining a low hard-hit rate for the season. The Guardians struck the ball hard, averaging 93.2 mph on batted balls, highlighting Brown's need to adjust his pitch locations and selection, especially after yielding a season-high four extra-base hits.

Manager Joe Espada acknowledged Brown's execution wasn't up to par but praised his resilience, noting his impressive 2.21 ERA and ability to battle through challenging innings. Brown is expected to reflect on this outing and make necessary adjustments as he heads into the All-Star break.

For MLB bettors looking for an edge, July 8 presents some promising matchups and trends worth noting. The Houston Astros are in top form, facing off against a struggling Cleveland Guardians team. With Hunter Brown on the mound, the Astros are favored to cover a -1.5 run line at +115, given the Guardians' recent offensive struggles.

In contrast, the Pittsburgh Pirates face the Kansas City Royals, who have been the league's lowest-scoring team at home. The suggested wager here is on the game total falling under 8 runs at -115, reflecting the lack of offensive firepower on both sides. Lastly, the Seattle Mariners, underdog against the New York Yankees, are also recommended to win on the money line (+115), thanks to strong pitching from Logan Gilbert and the Yankees' faltering bullpen.