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New York Times
an hour ago
- Sport
- New York Times
Cam Smith's workload, an All-Star logjam and recovering pitchers: Astros takeaways
WEST SACRAMENTO, Calif. — The College World Series semifinals concluded Wednesday, allowing Houston Astros manager Joe Espada another chance to marvel at an absurd ascension. Last year, Cam Smith propelled Florida State University into college baseball's final four. Twelve months later, Smith is the starting right fielder for a division-leading team trying to maintain a dynasty. A whirlwind winter preceded a prolific spring training and subsequent position change, neither of which has fazed an affable 22-year-old who still maintains an aw-shucks attitude. Advertisement 'He wants to be great, so he thinks, 'The more I do on the field, the quicker I can reach greatness,'' Espada said Thursday afternoon. 'But we have to let him know (he) has to rest, recover.' Smith played in his 61st game Thursday. Six more and he'll reach uncharted territory. Smith started 66 games and took 322 plate appearances during his final season at Florida State, the highest workload he has ever absorbed as an amateur. Smith will obliterate that benchmark before the All-Star break. How his body responds to the longest season of his baseball life is a compelling subplot to an already riveting rookie season. Can't get enough of Cam. #VoteCam ⭐️ — Houston Astros (@astros) June 19, 2025 Team officials are encouraged that Smith's supreme athleticism and strict habits will allow him to handle a heavy workload, but they also believe reducing some of his rigorous pregame routine will benefit him in the second half. 'He understands that cutting down on some of his swings in the cage, (that) some of his work in the outfield is less — but quality,' Espada said. 'Right now, he looks good. He's moving great. But it's something that I'm mindful of.' Finding a left-handed-hitting outfielder at the trade deadline could lessen some of Smith's workload during the second-half dog days, too, but if Smith continues to produce as he did during Houston's four-game split with the Athletics, platooning him might be impossible. Espada slotted Smith fifth in Thursday's batting order against A's left-hander Jacob Lopez — the highest he has hit in any lineup as a major leaguer. A hitless night didn't diminish an otherwise dominant series, one in which Smith raised his OPS from .690 to .758. His two-homer game Tuesday ended a streak of 147 at-bats without a long ball. Following it with a three-hit game Wednesday inspired optimism that Smith is starting to harness a consistency that has sometimes eluded him. Advertisement 'Physically, he's fine. My conversations with him are more (about) just how he is mentally,' Espada said. 'The mindset of handling the failures, the ups and downs. Right now, I am very impressed with the way he's going about his work. He's playing his best baseball right now, but for us to maintain that, we have to be careful how much we push him.' Jacob Wilson of the Athletics and the Kansas City Royals' Bobby Witt Jr. separated themselves during the first round of All-Star fan balloting, ahead of the American League shortstop who has better numbers than both of them. Whether that matters for Jeremy Peña's candidacy is a fascinating discussion. All of Peña's statistics make him a surefire All-Star. He entered Thursday slashing .321/.377/.474 across Houston's first 74 games. According to Baseball-Reference, Aaron Judge is the only player in baseball worth more wins above replacement than the 4.3 Peña has accumulated. 'Snub' wouldn't suffice if Peña is somehow left off the American League roster. If he isn't elected to start the game, though, finding a place for him could get complicated — far more complex than his first half deserves. A representation rule and a remarkable showing from Peña's fellow American League shortstops are to blame. Twenty-seven American League position players entered Thursday worth at least 2.0 WAR, according to Baseball-Reference. Seven are shortstops: Peña, Wilson, Witt, Gunnar Henderson, J.P. Crawford, Zach Neto and Taylor Walls. Major-league rules dictate that each club must have at least one representative in Atlanta. At least two shortstops, Wilson and the Los Angeles Angels' Neto, are logical candidates to be the representatives for their team in Atlanta. If Witt isn't elected to start the game, it's difficult to envision any scenario in which he is omitted from the roster. Advertisement The same should be said for Peña. Major League Baseball combines player balloting and commissioner's selections to pick reserves for the rosters, which featured four shortstops last season. Players electing Peña is perhaps the most direct route to his inclusion. The sanctity of an exhibition game won't be impacted if an infielder plays a different position, either. Given the preponderance of worthy shortstops, perhaps it is a situation the sport should explore. The trajectory of Houston's trade deadline can be traced to West Palm Beach, Fla., where four injured pitchers reside in various states of recovery. How Cristian Javier, Luis Garcia, Spencer Arrighetti and J.P. France progress will determine what the Astros prioritize across the next six weeks. Predicting exact timelines for the pitchers' returns is an impossible exercise, especially given the team's checkered history with its 'return to play procedure.' That Garcia has suffered a slew of setbacks only complicates the process. Still, time is running short for any of the quartet to return before the All-Star break begins on July 14 — 17 days before the trade deadline. All four men are building back up as starters, a process that requires at least another month once a pitcher starts facing hitters. Of the quartet, only France and Javier have reached that benchmark. Arrighetti isn't even throwing off a mound while recovering from a fractured right thumb. According to Espada, France is scheduled to throw his third live batting practice session sometime next week, putting him the closest to a potential return. Javier only threw his first live batting practice session Thursday afternoon. According to Espada, his fastball reached 95 mph. At least two more live batting practices loom before Javier could begin a possible minor-league rehab assignment, during which he'd require at least four outings to build his pitch count. Advertisement Garcia could throw a live batting practice session next week, Espada said, but he has reached this benchmark on multiple occasions before suffering setbacks. Garcia hasn't pitched in a major-league game since May 1, 2023. How effective he would be after such a long absence is one of many questions general manager Dana Brown and his baseball operations staff must ponder.
USA Today
12 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Tyler Soderstrom Player Props: June 19, Athletics vs. Astros
Tyler Soderstrom Player Props: June 19, Athletics vs. Astros Tyler Soderstrom is trying to get back on track following a hitless performance in his last game (0 for 4). His Athletics take on Colton Gordon and the Houston Astros on Thursday at 10:05 p.m. ET on NBCS-CA and SCHN. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Tyler Soderstrom player prop bets. Soderstrom has a team-high 45 runs batted in (he's hit 14 home runs). Soderstrom's home runs rank 24th in MLB and he ranks 22nd in RBI in MLB. Watch tonight's Athletics game on Fubo! Tyler Soderstrom Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 0.5 hits (Over odds: -189) 0.5 hits (Over odds: -189) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +475) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +475) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +160) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +160) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: +125) 0.5 runs (Over odds: +125) Total Bases Prop: 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +135) 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +135) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +1300) How to Watch Athletics vs. Houston Astros Matchup: Athletics vs. Houston Astros Athletics vs. Houston Astros Time: 10:05 p.m. ET 10:05 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Thursday, June 19, 2025 TV Channel: NBCS-CA and SCHN NBCS-CA and SCHN Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Tyler Soderstrom vs. Colton Gordon Tyler Soderstrom prop bet insights Soderstrom has a hit in 61.3% of his 75 games this year, with at least two hits in 25.3% of those contests (19). In 13.3% of his games this season, he has hit a home run (10 of 75). During the 2025 campaign, he's gone deep in 4.5% of his trips to the dish. Soderstrom has touched home plate at least one time 29 times this year in 75 tries (38.7%), including scoring multiple runs in 10.7% of games (eight times). He has driven in at least one run in 26 out of 75 games this season (34.7%), with two or more RBI in 10 of those games (13.3%). Soderstrom has struck out at least once 48 times this season in 75 tries (64.0%), including striking out on multiple occasions in 25.3% of games (19 times). MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 6:33 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Tyler Soderstrom stats against the Astros Astros starter: Colton Gordon
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jose Altuve Player Props: June 19, Astros vs. Athletics
Jose Altuve Player Props: June 19, Astros vs. Athletics Jose Altuve, coming off a three-RBI performance in his last game (going 1-for-4), will take the field for the Houston Astros versus Jacob Lopez and the Athletics on Thursday. First pitch is set for 10:05 p.m. ET on NBCS-CA and SCHN. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Jose Altuve player prop bets. Altuve has 10 doubles, 12 home runs and 19 walks while batting .277. Altuve ranks 41st in home runs and 81st in RBI among all batters in MLB play. Watch tonight's Astros game on Fubo! Jose Altuve Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 1.5 hits (Over odds: +195) 1.5 hits (Over odds: +195) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +550) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +550) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: -105) 0.5 runs (Over odds: -105) Total Bases Prop: 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +110) 1.5 total bases (Over odds: +110) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +525) How to Watch Houston Astros vs. Athletics Matchup: Houston Astros vs. Athletics Houston Astros vs. Athletics Time: 10:05 p.m. ET 10:05 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Thursday, June 19, 2025 TV Channel: NBCS-CA and SCHN NBCS-CA and SCHN Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Jose Altuve vs. Jacob Lopez Jose Altuve prop bet insights Altuve has recorded a hit 48 times this year in 71 games played (67.6%), including 24 multi-hit games (33.8%). In 14.1% of his games this season, he has homered (10 of 71). During the 2025 campaign, he's taken the pitcher deep in 4% of his trips to the plate. Altuve has scored at least one run in 39.4% of his games this season (28 of 71), with two or more runs scored in six of those contests (8.5%). He has tallied at least one RBI 19 times this year in 71 tries (26.8%), including driving in multiple runs in 12.7% of games (nine times) and producing three or more of his team's runs on five occasions. In 45.1% of his 71 games this season, Altuve has been set down on strikes (32 times). He's also had 11 games with multiple strikeouts in 2025 (15.5%). MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 1:29 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Jose Altuve stats against the Athletics Athletics starter: Jacob Lopez
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jeremy Pena Player Props: June 19, Astros vs. Athletics
Jeremy Pena Player Props: June 19, Astros vs. Athletics After a multi-hit performance in his last game (3 for 6 with two RBIs), Jeremy Pena will be trying for more success Thursday. The Houston Astros take on the Athletics, and will face starting pitcher Jacob Lopez at 10:05 p.m. ET on NBCS-CA and SCHN. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Jeremy Pena player prop bets. Pena leads the Astros with a .321 batting average. He's hit nine home runs and racked up 36 RBI. Watch tonight's Astros game on Fubo! Jeremy Pena Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 1.5 hits (Over odds: +155) 1.5 hits (Over odds: +155) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +675) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +675) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +200) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +200) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: -120) 0.5 runs (Over odds: -120) Total Bases Prop: 1.5 total bases (Over odds: -105) 1.5 total bases (Over odds: -105) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +270) How to Watch Houston Astros vs. Athletics Matchup: Houston Astros vs. Athletics Houston Astros vs. Athletics Time: 10:05 p.m. ET 10:05 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Thursday, June 19, 2025 TV Channel: NBCS-CA and SCHN NBCS-CA and SCHN Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Jeremy Pena vs. Jacob Lopez Jeremy Pena prop bet insights In 74.3% of his games this season (55 of 74), Pena has recorded a hit, and in 26 of those games (35.1%) he's recorded multiple base knocks. In 10.8% of his games this season, he has homered (eight of 74). During the 2025 campaign, he's taken the pitcher deep in 2.8% of his trips to the plate. Pena has scored in 35 of 74 games this season, with multiple runs scored in nine of them. In 29.7% of his 74 games this season, he has driven in a run (22 times). He's also notched nine games with multiple RBI in 2025 (12.2%) and driven in three or more of his team's runs in four contests. Pena has gone down on strikes in 35 of 74 games this year, with multiple punchouts in 13 of them. MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 1:29 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Jeremy Pena stats against the Athletics Date Opp. SP H/AB XBH HR RBI R K/BB SB 6/18/2025 Luis Severino 3-for-6 0 0 2 1 1/0 0 6/17/2025 JP Sears 0-for-3 0 0 0 1 0/1 0 6/16/2025 Mitch Spence 0-for-4 0 0 0 0 2/0 0 5/28/2025 Luis Severino 1-for-4 0 0 0 1 0/1 1 5/27/2025 JP Sears 2-for-5 1 1 2 2 0/0 0 9/12/2024 Mitch Spence 0-for-4 0 0 0 0 1/0 0 9/11/2024 Joey Estes 2-for-3 0 0 0 1 0/0 0 9/10/2024 JP Sears 0-for-5 0 0 0 0 1/0 0 7/24/2024 JP Sears 1-for-3 0 0 1 0 1/0 0 7/23/2024 Osvaldo Bido 3-for-4 2 1 1 1 1/0 1 Athletics starter: Jacob Lopez Lopez (1-4) takes the hill for the Athletics in his sixth start of the season. He has produced a 4.80 ERA in 30 2/3 innings pitched, with 40 Ks. His last outing was on Saturday versus the Kansas City Royals, when the lefty went six scoreless innings while surrendering three hits. In nine outings this season, the 27-year-old has amassed a 4.80 ERA and 12 strikeouts per nine frames, while surrendering a batting average of .267 to opposing batters. Lopez is trying to notch his third quality start of the year.
USA Today
17 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Jacob Wilson Player Props: June 19, Athletics vs. Astros
Jacob Wilson Player Props: June 19, Athletics vs. Astros Jacob Wilson is trying to build on a one-hit showing in his most recent game (1 for 4). His Athletics face Colton Gordon and the Houston Astros on Thursday at 10:05 p.m. ET on NBCS-CA and SCHN. Find odds, stats, and more below to make your Jacob Wilson player prop bets. Wilson paces the Athletics with a team-best batting average of .359. He has eight home runs and 38 RBI. Watch tonight's Athletics game on Fubo! Jacob Wilson Prop Bets and Odds Hits Prop: 1.5 hits (Over odds: +120) 1.5 hits (Over odds: +120) Home Runs Prop: 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +625) 0.5 home runs (Over odds: +625) RBI Prop: 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150) 0.5 RBI (Over odds: +150) Runs Prop: 0.5 runs (Over odds: -111) 0.5 runs (Over odds: -111) Total Bases Prop: 1.5 total bases (Over odds: -139) 1.5 total bases (Over odds: -139) Stolen Bases Prop: 0.5 stolen bases (Over odds: +900) How to Watch Athletics vs. Houston Astros Matchup: Athletics vs. Houston Astros Athletics vs. Houston Astros Time: 10:05 p.m. ET 10:05 p.m. ET Date: Thursday, June 19, 2025 Thursday, June 19, 2025 TV Channel: NBCS-CA and SCHN NBCS-CA and SCHN Live Stream: Fubo (Watch now! - Regional restrictions may apply) Jacob Wilson vs. Colton Gordon Jacob Wilson prop bet insights Wilson has reached base with a hit 54 times this season in 70 games played (77.1%), including multiple hits in 44.3% of them (31 times). He has homered in seven of 70 games in 2025 (10.0%), which is 2.7% of his trips to the plate. Wilson has scored at least one run in 30 of 70 games this year (42.9%), with more than one run scored in eight of those games (11.4%). In 35.7% of his 70 games this season, he has picked up an RBI (25 times). He's also notched nine games with multiple RBI in 2025 (12.9%) and plated three or more of his team's runs in three contests. In 17 of 70 games this season (24.3%), Wilson has been set down on strikes at least once, including two games with multiple punchouts. MLB odds courtesy of BetMGM Sportsbook. Odds updated Thursday at 1:29 p.m. ET. For a full list of sports betting odds, access USA TODAY Sports Betting Scores Odds Hub. Jacob Wilson stats against the Astros Astros starter: Colton Gordon
