With the ever-changing dynamics in MLB, recent custom power rankings reveal significant shifts among teams. The New York Yankees have risen to the top spot, while the Houston Astros have also seen a notable climb. Conversely, both the Detroit Tigers and Seattle Mariners have experienced declines. The Tampa Bay Rays remain stagnant despite earlier value predictions, while the Baltimore Orioles are emerging as playoff contenders, suggesting they could outpace teams like the Minnesota Twins and Texas Rangers in the race for a postseason spot.

Betting lines reflect this movement. The Orioles, now at +1200 to reach the playoffs, offer enticing value as they contend with others underperforming in the league. For savvy bettors, waiting for potential downswing opportunities with the Astros could yield better returns. Trends show how quickly narratives can change as teams like the Yankees solidify their status and the O's gain momentum.

Gleyber Torres of the Detroit Tigers is currently leading the American League second basemen in the first update of the 2025 MLB All-Star voting, with 535,079 votes. This places him ahead of notable players like Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles and Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros. Torres, a two-time All-Star, is poised to break a nearly decade-long drought for the Tigers at this position.

With the first phase of voting concluding on June 26, fans can vote online, with the top player at each position guaranteed a starting spot. The Tigers are in a good position, with Torres, Riley Greene, and Javier Báez potentially advancing to the next round. Additionally, pitchers like Tarik Skubal will also be in contention for selection, aiming to boost the Tigers' representation at the All-Star Game.

As FanDuel's Tuesday slate approaches, excitement builds around 12 games set to kick off at 7:05 p.m. EDT. The slate features pitching options, with only two hurlers priced above $10,000 while five more are above $9,000. With the Astros facing the Athletics in a matchup with a staggering 11.5 run total, the potential for offensive fireworks is palpable. Meanwhile, the Yankees and Dodgers are the day's biggest favorites at -260 and -215 respectively, creating favorable environments for star players.

Pitchers like David Peterson from the Mets, priced at $9,700, are emerging as intriguing options, especially against the Atlanta lineup that struggles against lefties. Despite some concerns regarding Peterson's pitch count following a complete game, his recent performance includes six quality starts in seven attempts. On the other hand, Will Warren from the Yankees at $8,200 is riding a high strikeout rate that could yield dividends against the Angels' struggling offense.

Batters to watch include Shohei Ohtani, who faces San Diego's Randy Vasquez, a pitcher who has struggled against left-handed hitters. Ohtani's $4,800 price tag is competitive for a player of his caliber, while Fernando Tatis Jr. is also a hot target as he boasts ten hits in four games. As players finalize their lineups, strategic stacking, particularly with Houston and Milwaukee, may prove essential in maximizing scoring opportunities on this promising slate.

The Houston Astros face off against the Oakland Athletics, with Jason Alexander on the mound for the Astros and JP Sears for the Athletics. Houston comes off a loss in the series opener, while Oakland looks to build on their recent victory.

The current odds favor the Astros with a moneyline of -120 compared to +100 for the Athletics. The spread is set at Astros -1.5, and the total runs at 11.0.

Alexander struggled in his last outing against the Los Angeles Dodgers, allowing nine earned runs in just over two innings, raising his ERA to 18.00. Conversely, JP Sears has been more consistent, having allowed just two earned runs in 5.1 innings in his last outing against the Dodgers.

Trends indicate the Astros have won 10 of their last 15 road games following a loss, while the Athletics have a 57% over record with Sears as the starter. Expert predictions suggest a moneyline bet on the Astros, a spread play on the Athletics at +1.5, and a total bet on the under for the game.

The Houston Astros are in a tough spot with injuries, having to call on Jason Alexander as their 11th starting pitcher of the season. With seven of their regular starters sidelined, Alexander, who recently was designated for assignment by the Oakland Athletics, gets the call after showing impressive form in the minors. In his previous outings at Triple-A, he posted a 1.74 ERA, demonstrating that he could be a solid addition to the rotation. He relies heavily on his sinker and sweeper, making him a good fit for the Astros' style of play.

Fans are likely to have some fun with his name, drawing connections to the actor known for his character in Seinfeld. However, Alexander has had a rough stint in the majors, with a notable outing yielding nine earned runs in just over two innings. As he steps into this role, the Astros are hopeful for a resurgence from him, particularly in a six-man rotation used to cope with their current injury woes.