Houston backs J.P. France off a 30-day minor-league rehab, weighing whether he returns as a starter, long-relief option, or swingman as the Astros juggle a thinning pitching staff. With Spencer Arrighetti, Cristian Javier, and Jason Alexander set to start in Baltimore, Houston is weighing how to create space for a potential McCullers promotion from the IL while keeping its rotation intact. The decision hinges on France’s readiness and the team’s roster flexibility, a strategic crossroad that could reshape fantasy value on both ends of the rotation.

France, who built 3.83 ERA across 136 1/3 innings in 2023 (23 starts), has battled shoulder issues and underwent surgery before rehab. His return could add depth if used as a starter, but Houston remains unclear on whether he’ll slot into the rotation or fill a bullpen swing role. McCullers’ return further clouds the picture, as Houston must clear a roster spot while preserving a stable stretch run, making France a wait-and-see play for fantasy managers until a concrete role emerges.

In fantasy terms, the situation is a classic add-or-drop scenario: Paris-worthy upside if he’s in the rotation with a clear workload, but significant risk if he’s a swingman or bullpen piece. The Orioles series offers a concrete test, but the real signal will come once Houston confirms France’s role and whether McCullers returns to complement or supplant any of the current starters. Until then, patience and lineup-dynamic monitoring are key.

The Houston Astros have notably shifted their bullpen strategy, now incorporating a significant number of left-handed pitchers. This season, the Astros have five lefties in their bullpen, including the highly effective closer, Josh Hader, who has remained flawless in his save opportunities. Hader's dominance is reflected in his performance, holding right-handed hitters to a mere .160 batting average. The Astros' left-handed relievers have excelled against right-handed hitters, contributing to the team's impressive second-lowest bullpen ERA of 3.21.

In a recent game against the Philadelphia Phillies, the Astros showcased their left-handed depth, utilizing four lefties to seal a shutout victory. Each pitcher delivered a scoreless inning, demonstrating their ability to neutralize right-handed hitters even against a lineup that historically performs well against left-handers. This strategic adaptability underlines the Astros' emphasis on versatility over traditional platoon advantages in today's game.

The Houston Astros faced a challenging game against the Cleveland Guardians, relying heavily on their bullpen due to the unavailability of key relievers Bryan King and Bryan Abreu. Hunter Brown took the mound and initially thrived, pitching five scoreless innings before struggling in the sixth, where he allowed four runs. Steven Okert, who stepped in to contain the Guardians' lineup, managed to navigate a bases-loaded situation but ultimately gave up a grand slam, highlighting his mixed performance this season.

Shawn Dubin followed, showing resilience after conceding a crucial home run to José Ramírez, allowing the Astros to stay competitive. In the extra innings, the Astros' bullpen showcased its depth, with Bennett Sousa securing a save despite throwing just 18 pitches and demonstrating impressive strikeout potential. The game exemplified the Astros' ability to adapt under pressure while underlining their bullpen’s integral role in maintaining their winning record.

The Houston Astros faced a disappointing 13-3 loss against the Tampa Bay Rays, marked by a disastrous seventh inning. Despite the Astros' bullpen entering the game with the second-best ERA in the majors, Bryan King allowed five runs in one third of an inning, ballooning his ERA to 3.38. The Astros, who started strong, quickly fell behind due to their pitchers issuing six walks and hitting three batters.

The Rays continued their impressive run, scoring 11 runs off the Astros' bullpen, following a solid performance by starter Ryan Gusto. In a stark contrast, Houston managed only eight hits and struggled to convert opportunities, leaving runners stranded. Jose Altuve provided a bright spot with a home run, but the Astros ultimately couldn't keep pace with the Rays’ potent offense, which capitalized on every mistake.

Recent analysis highlights the Chicago Cubs and Kansas City Royals as the sneakiest teams in Major League Baseball, showing exceptional skills in both slider pitching and base stealing. The Cubs and Royals both ranked consistently high with an average score of 3.5 over the last three years.

Pitchers like Bryan King from the Houston Astros showcased stellar slider performance, while base stealers such as Leody Taveras of the Texas Rangers and Tyler Tolbert of the Kansas City Royals have been leading the charge on the bases. Teams like the Colorado Rockies and New York Mets also ranked well, rounding out the top five in this fascinating look at MLB's under-the-radar talents.