Connelly Early, the standout left-handed pitcher for the Portland Sea Dogs and a top prospect for the Boston Red Sox, has been dominating the mound this season with a 6-2 record and a stellar 2.70 ERA over 60 innings. He emphasizes the importance of staying in the strike zone, a philosophy supported by his manager, Chad Epperson, who notes Early's effective cutter and fastball command.

Early, at 23, utilizes a variety of pitches, including a fastball that reaches 96 mph, and has emerged as Portland's most reliable starter. His collegiate success at Army and Virginia, where he earned accolades like the Patriot League Pitcher of the Year, speaks to his potential and dedication to improving his velocity. As he aims to refine his fastball, Early's consistency makes him a player to watch in the Red Sox organization.

With a full slate of 16 MLB games on tap, the betting scene heats up this Friday as the New York Yankees welcome the Chicago Cubs. Key player prop bets are capturing attention, especially with the Athletics facing the Toronto Blue Jays. Notably, Lawrence Butler is projected to exceed 1.5 combined hits, runs, and RBIs, riding a solid .786 OPS against right-handed pitchers. Another promising bet features Nick Kurtz, who notched a home run recently and boasts an impressive .402 wOBA at home.

Meanwhile, Corey Seager's prop of 1+ walks looks enticing, especially with Lance McCullers Jr. on the mound, whose walk rate has been problematic this season, giving Seager an edge to draw a free pass. As the weekend approaches, these prop bets not only showcase players’ current forms but also highlight the strategic angles savvy bettors are keen to exploit.

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.

Home runs continue to captivate baseball fans, and Tuesday night proved no exception with 44 home runs across 15 MLB games, including two inside-the-park homers.

Lawrence Butler of the Oakland Athletics and Patrick Bailey of the San Francisco Giants made history by becoming the first players to hit a leadoff and a walk-off inside-the-park home run on the same day. Butler's two-home run game pushed his season total to 13, while Bailey's walk-off blast was only his second homer this season.

The Giants' victory over the Philadelphia Phillies marked their fourth consecutive win, the longest active streak in the National League, as they continue to build momentum in the playoff race.

The Texas Rangers made headlines by releasing outfielder Billy McKinney, only to re-sign him two days later to a minor league contract, assigning him to Triple-A Round Rock. This swift move came as McKinney returned home and played in two games before being designated for assignment following Evan Carter's return from bereavement leave. Meanwhile, others like Josh Jung and Rowdy Tellez are also making their debuts with Round Rock, adding depth and potential to the team.

Jung, who was sent down after struggling with the Rangers, is looking to regain form, while Tellez, recently signed, aims to prove his worth. The Rangers continue to adjust their roster, seeking the right mix as they navigate the season. These developments could impact fantasy rosters, especially those keeping an eye on the Triple-A players who might see big league time soon.