The Chicago Cubs' grip on first place in the National League Central is slipping, following a 2-0 loss to the Houston Astros. The Cubs' recent performance has been shaky, with only a 12-13 record over a grueling stretch of games. Meanwhile, both the Milwaukee Brewers and St. Louis Cardinals are in hot pursuit, sitting just two and two-and-a-half games behind, respectively.

Jameson Taillon struggled again, unable to go deep into the game despite a promising start. He improved his pitch sequencing but surrendered a critical home run to Jose Altuve. Nico Hoerner has emerged as a surprising power source for the Cubs, hitting three homers in his last five games. Meanwhile, Chris Flexen has solidified his role in the bullpen, proving he can handle longer outings, and contributing to the bullpen's overall effectiveness.

Jeremy Pena, the Houston Astros' shortstop, is enjoying a breakout season, showcasing a .326 batting average and a stellar 4.6 WAR, which ranks second in the MLB behind only Aaron Judge. The Astros are keen to extend his contract, potentially worth around $100 million, but Pena has paused negotiations after switching to Scott Boras, a high-profile agent known for maximizing player contracts.

Pena's remarkable performance, which includes a 145 OPS+ significantly above his previous career highs, has heightened his value, making an extension with the Astros a challenging negotiation. Veteran teammate Jose Altuve has emphasized the need to secure Pena long-term, expressing surprise that a deal hasn't already been finalized. With Pena's potential to become a superstar, the stakes are high for both the player and the franchise.

Framber Valdez of the Houston Astros is showcasing a dominant run, boasting six wins and a stellar 2.25 ERA over his last seven starts. As he prepares to face the Philadelphia Phillies at Daikin Park, Valdez aims to extend his impressive form. The Phillies will counter with Ranger Suárez, who holds a 6-1 record and an equally impressive 2.20 ERA this season.

The game is set to air at 7:10 p.m. on Space City Home Network, with radio coverage on 790 AM and 93.3 FM. With key players like José Altuve and Kyle Schwarber in lineup positions, fans can expect a competitive matchup that may have significant implications for both teams as the season progresses.

As the Houston Astros gear up to face the Philadelphia Phillies in a three-game series, all eyes are on Jose Altuve, who is expected to play left field. Altuve, traditionally a second baseman, has garnered attention for his strong performance despite a shift in position. Currently sitting third in the All-Star voting for American League second basemen, Altuve has accumulated over 795,000 votes, trailing behind Gleyber Torres and Jackson Holliday.

Although Altuve's batting average stands at .269 with 12 home runs this season, his bWAR of -0.3 and OPS of .754 suggest a downturn in performance. This shift raises questions about his future in the Midsummer Classic, especially as MLB acknowledges his unconventional placement on the ballot.

Thursday's MLB DFS slate features five exciting divisional matchups, kicking off at 6:40 p.m. ET, including the Phillies against the Marlins. With favorable hitting conditions projected at Sutter Health Park during the Astros and Athletics clash, fantasy managers should prioritize hitters from this game. The analysis highlights key pitchers like Spencer Strider, who recently showed remarkable form, alongside Cristopher Sanchez and Charlie Morton, who are also poised to make an impact. Sleeper picks include Gunnar Henderson and Jose Altuve, who are both on hot streaks and are well-positioned to capitalize on their matchups. The article emphasizes the importance of monitoring lineups and weather updates, particularly for the Tampa Bay game.