Riley Quick, an Alabama right-hander, has emerged as a top prospect in the 2025 MLB Draft after a stellar season. He finished with an 8-3 record, a 3.92 ERA, and 70 strikeouts over 62 innings, showcasing his recovery from Tommy John surgery.

Projections for Quick's draft position vary, with ESPN predicting a second-round selection by the Kansas City Royals, while other analysts foresee him being picked as high as No. 26 by the Philadelphia Phillies or No. 39 by the New York Yankees. His impressive size and high-velocity sinker make him a valuable addition to any team.

The Texas Rangers will be without their ace, Jacob deGrom, at the upcoming MLB All-Star Game in Atlanta after he was named to the American League team. The team announced that deGrom, who has had a stellar season with a 2.29 ERA and 9-2 record, will be replaced by Kansas City Royals pitcher Carlos Estévez. Although deGrom will not pitch, he plans to attend the game and participate in the festivities. This marks the first time since 2017 that the Rangers will not have a representative at the All-Star game, highlighting deGrom's significance to the club.

DeGrom, who last appeared in an All-Star game in 2019, has struggled with injuries in recent years. Despite his absence from the All-Star lineup, he has had his healthiest season with the Rangers, starting 18 games. The decision for him to skip the game appears prudent as he prepares for a crucial game against Houston the following Saturday.

The Houston Astros have surged past expectations this season, taking a commanding seven-game lead in the AL West over the Seattle Mariners. Despite this success, the Astros face pressing issues, particularly in their starting rotation, which has been heavily impacted by injuries. The situation is exacerbated by Framber Valdez's looming free agency at the end of the year, which raises questions about his future with the team.

Tim Kelly from Bleacher Report suggests that the Astros should consider acquiring Seth Lugo from the Kansas City Royals. Lugo, with a solid 2.67 ERA and 6-5 record in 17 starts, could add depth to a rotation that currently lacks reliable options beyond Valdez and Hunter Brown. A rotation that includes Lugo would not only enhance their playoff prospects but could also solidify their chances of capturing another World Series title.

As the New York Mets visit the Kansas City Royals, both teams find themselves in pivotal moments of the season. The Mets, at 53-41, recently suffered two defeats in a doubleheader against the Orioles, placing them 1.5 games behind the division-leading Phillies in the National League East. Conversely, the Royals, sitting at 46-48, are riding a four-game winning streak after sweeping the Pirates, yet they remain 13 games behind the Tigers in the American League Central.

The matchup features Mets' pitcher Kodai Senga, boasting a stellar 1.47 ERA, facing Royals' Michael Wacha, who has struggled with a 3.83 ERA. The Mets come into this game with mixed trends, having won 16 out of their last 28 games following a loss. Betting lines favor the Mets as slight favorites at -141 on the moneyline, with the total set at 9 runs.

In a tightly contested match on Wednesday night, the Pittsburgh Pirates fell to the Kansas City Royals, suffering their sixth consecutive loss, ending the game 4-3. Salvador Perez's eighth-inning home run against Isaac Mattson sealed the Pirates' fate at Kaufman Stadium.

The Royals established a commanding lead early, with Perez's solo homer in the second and Jac Caglianone's stunning 466-foot two-run blast in the fourth. However, the Pirates fought back in the sixth, with Oneil Cruz grounding out to bring in a run. Ke'Bryan Hayes then stepped up, hitting a two-run single to level the score.

Kris Bubic's effective pitching kept the Pirates at bay until the sixth inning. The matchup showcased the Royals' resilience, with timely hitting and strong pitching, while the Pirates showcased determination despite their extended losing streak.