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.

Javier Báez's grand slam and Colt Keith's two-run homer led the Detroit Tigers to a 7-4 victory against the Houston Astros, preventing a series sweep. After the Astros opened scoring with Jeremy Peña's leadoff homer, the Tigers answered with Keith's two-run shot in the second inning. Báez then delivered a grand slam in the third, giving the Tigers a commanding lead. Though Jackson Jobe faced challenges, particularly in the fifth inning, the bullpen managed to secure the win for Detroit, which is now 19-12 for the season.

Jobe, back after a 12-day absence, struggled initially by allowing a home run on his first pitch but then found his rhythm. He completed four innings, giving up three runs, with the bullpen holding strong to seal the victory against a formidable Astros lineup. The Tigers avoided a sweep, showcasing their offensive depth and resilience in a key win.

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a challenging offensive slump, but there's optimism surrounding Bo Bichette as a key player to back in their matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Bichette has been underperforming relative to his stellar metrics, making his over 1.5 bases prop bet a prime opportunity. His aggressive approach at the plate, marked by a low walk rate and high contact level, suggests he could break out against Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito, who struggled with a high home run rate in the past. On the opposing side, betting on Alex Bregman and Kristian Campbell to each get a hit presents favorable odds, especially considering Bregman's current hitting streak.

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.