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.

As the Pirates face off against the Royals at Kauffman Stadium, the stakes are high for both teams. The Pirates are desperately seeking a turnaround after suffering five consecutive losses, having scored only six runs in that stretch. Meanwhile, the Royals are riding high on a three-game winning streak, boosted by Nick Loftin's heroics that secured a walk-off win in their last game against Pittsburgh. On the mound, Bailey Falter (3.69 ERA) will try to stabilize the struggling Pirates, while Kris Bubic (2.36 ERA) aims to continue his strong season for the Royals.

Betting odds favor Kansas City significantly, with a moneyline of -199 and a spread of -1.5. The total runs are set at 8.0, prompting analysts to predict a potential over bet on the game. As the teams prepare for this crucial matchup, both the Royals and Pirates aim to cement their standings in the league, making this game a must-watch for fans and bettors alike.

As fantasy baseball enthusiasts gear up for today's 11-game slate, several standout players emerge as top picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Kris Bubic of Kansas City is highlighted as a strong cash play against Pittsburgh, who struggles against left-handed pitchers. MacKenzie Gore, recovering from earlier struggles, takes on St. Louis, which has shown poor performance against lefties recently. Lucas Giolito is also a recommended choice as he faces a struggling Colorado lineup.

In the infield, Texas' Corey Seager continues to thrive, recently hitting home runs and proving to be a formidable opponent against right-handers. Meanwhile, Oakland's Nick Kurtz is notable for his power display, making him a compelling addition for stacking. The outfield features Boston's Wilyer Abreu, who excels against weak right-handed pitching.

In a nail-biting finish, the Pittsburgh Pirates suffered a heartbreaking 4-3 loss to the Kansas City Royals at Kaufman Stadium, marking their fifth consecutive defeat. Oneil Cruz and Nick Gonzales each contributed a homer, but it wasn't enough to secure a win.

Starting pitcher Mitch Keller demonstrated resilience, retiring 16 batters in a row after allowing an early solo home run. However, a pivotal seventh inning saw Salvador Perez reach base on catcher’s interference, followed by Nick Loftin's two-run homer that propelled the Royals into a commanding lead.

This game further highlights the Pirates' struggles, as they continue to face challenges in closing out games and maintaining leads, posing questions for fantasy owners relying on their key players.

The Kansas City Royals have placed outfielder Mark Canha on the 10-day injured list due to a left elbow injury. Canha, who is in his first season with the Royals, is struggling with a batting average of .212 and a .537 OPS over 46 games.

Manager Matt Quatraro indicated that Canha’s injury is likely not serious, explaining that it stems from epicondylitis, commonly known as tennis elbow tendinitis. Canha had hoped to play through the discomfort, but after a couple of swings exacerbated the pain, he recognized he couldn't perform effectively.

In response to Canha’s situation, the Royals called up infielder Cam Devanney from Triple-A Omaha for his MLB debut. Devanney has shown promise, boasting a .272 batting average with 18 home runs and 55 RBIs in the minors. Manager Quatraro praised Devanney's versatility, noting he can fill various positions, making him a valuable addition to the roster during this challenging time.