The Los Angeles Dodgers faced a historic defeat at the hands of the Houston Astros, losing 18-1 in a game that saw the Astros score season highs in runs and extra-base hits. Despite leading the major leagues in scoring, the Dodgers were overwhelmed, managing just five hits against Houston's pitching duo, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jason Alexander.

Victor Caratini highlighted the Astros' dominance with a grand slam, part of a ten-run sixth inning that marked the largest inning ever against the Dodgers at Dodger Stadium. Jose Altuve contributed significantly, hitting two homers, including a three-run shot during the same inning. McCullers, after a rough outing previously, returned to form, limiting the Dodgers to four hits over six innings.

Nick Kurtz delivered a thrilling walk-off home run in the 10th inning to push the Oakland Athletics past the Houston Astros, 6-4, marking his second walk-off victory against the Astros within four nights. Despite a late-game lead, the Astros struggled offensively, finishing just 1-for-11 with runners in scoring position and leaving 10 men on base.

Victor Caratini showcased his power, hitting a crucial three-run home run to tie the game in the eighth after the A’s had taken a 4-1 lead. The Astros managed to split the four-game series in a contest where pitching effectively kept both teams in the game, but ultimately, Oakland's late-game execution outshined Houston's offensive shortcomings.

In a tightly contested matchup between the Houston Astros and Pittsburgh Pirates, Astros manager Joe Espada opted for Shawn Dubin as his seventh-inning reliever instead of the usual Bryan King. Dubin, who has showcased impressive statistics this season, entered with a solid 0.77 ERA over ten appearances. He effectively neutralized the Pirates' right-handed hitters, contributing to a 3-0 victory for the Astros.

Espada recognized Dubin's potential for higher-leverage situations, noting his ability to handle both righties and lefties effectively. This performance comes after Dubin's earlier setbacks from injuries, making his current form a welcome return to the mound. His strategic use of pitches, particularly the slider, indicates his growth as a reliever, which could benefit fantasy leagues as he gains more trust from the coaching staff.

Lance McCullers Jr. stepped up for the Houston Astros in a crucial matchup against the Seattle Mariners, showcasing his potential to solidify the rotation as injuries mount. Despite a high pitch count, his performance included eight strikeouts over 4⅓ innings in a 9-2 victory. McCullers emphasized the importance of effective game strategies, aided by catcher Victor Caratini, and felt he made significant progress after his lengthy recovery from surgery.

After a shaky start, McCullers found his rhythm, striking out key hitters like Jorge Polanco and Cal Raleigh, showcasing his commanding slider. Coach Joe Espada noted the challenge of balancing McCullers' development and bullpen management as the team strives to maintain strength in their pitching staff.