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.

As MLB's brief break approaches, take advantage of the Wednesday's 11-game slate for your DFS lineups. Notable pitching options include Kris Bubic, who has a commendable 2.36 ERA after 17 starts, and Lucas Giolito, who has rebounded with a 0.83 ERA over his last five outings. Dylan Cease, while facing a tough offense, boasts impressive metrics that make him a wild card for your roster.

Top hitters to target include Corey Seager, who has a .968 OPS in recent weeks, and Maikel Garcia, who excels against left-handed pitching. Bargain bats like Spencer Steer and Jake Cronenworth are also recommended for their recent performances. Consider stacking players facing struggling pitchers, particularly the Athletics and Cubs, to maximize your scoring potential this week.

As the MLB season approaches the All-Star break, savvy bettors are looking for value in the upcoming matchups. The Kansas City Royals face off against the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the spotlight shines on Kris Bubic. Despite a rocky return to the rotation, he presents an intriguing Over/Under prop of 6.5 strikeouts, largely due to the Pirates' struggles against left-handed pitching. The Pirates hold a staggering 27.1% strikeout rate against lefties, making this bet appealing.

In another matchup, the Houston Astros' Brandon Walter offers a prop of Over 4.5 strikeouts against the Guardians. Walter, a relatively unknown pitcher, has shined in his brief MLB tenure with impressive metrics. Despite the Guardians being a low-strikeout team, Walter's recent form suggests he can clear this number. Bettors should consider these lines carefully for their potential.

The Arizona Diamondbacks are set to face the Kansas City Royals in a compelling matchup at Chase Field, with Eduardo Rodriguez pitching for the Diamondbacks and Kris Bubic on the mound for the Royals. Rodriguez has been impressive lately, limiting opponents to no more than two runs in his last five starts, showing signs of consistency with a 4.09 ERA against Kansas City in his career.

Bubic, despite his recent struggles, boasts a strong changeup that has yielded a .155 average against hitters. The Royals are seeking to address their offensive shortcomings, averaging just 3.3 runs per game, which is the lowest in the American League. Their starting rotation, highlighted by Bubic, remains a key strength.

The Chicago Cubs are facing significant challenges in their starting rotation as they enter the second half of the season. Despite holding a four-game lead in the National League Central, the absence of Justin Steele and the underperformance of pitchers like Ben Brown, Colin Rea, Cade Horton, and Jameson Taillon, whose ERAs are all above 4.00, raises concerns for the Cubs' playoff aspirations.

This issue could have been mitigated had they proceeded with a potential trade for Jesús Luzardo from the Miami Marlins in the offseason. Luzardo has since blossomed into a reliable pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies, showcasing his abilities in the majors. With the trade deadline approaching, names like Kris Bubic from the Kansas City Royals have surfaced as potential targets. Bubic, a former top prospect, is enjoying a resurgence after returning from Tommy John surgery and is currently the ace of the Royals’ staff.

To solidify their chances in October, the Cubs must address their pitching woes quickly. The team boasts one of the most potent offenses in baseball, but without a reliable rotation, their postseason hopes could be in jeopardy. Acquiring a pitcher of Bubic's caliber could be exactly what Chicago needs to bolster their rotation for a playoff push.