Astros at Pirates Prediction: Odds, expert picks, starting pitchers, betting trends, and stats for June 5  —  It's Thursday, June 5 and the Astros (33-28) are in Pittsburgh to take on the Pirates (23-39).  Framber Valdez is slated to take the mound for Houston against Mitch Keller for Pittsburgh.

Yankees Build a Better Team After Losing Out on Juan Soto  —  Sometimes, as the saying goes, the best deals are the ones you don't make.  —  It's a small sample size and very early in the process, but so far, the New York Yankees are fortunate to have not signed Juan Soto.

Manfred: MLB will propose automated ball-strike challenge system for 2026  —  NEW YORK — Commissioner Rob Manfred said Wednesday he plans to introduce a proposal to Major League Baseball's competition committee that would bring the automated ball-strike system to MLB in 2026.

Fantasy Baseball Closer Report: Luke Weaver sidelined, Devin Williams steps back in as Yankees closer  —  In this week's Closer Report, Devin Williams is getting another ninth-inning audition with the Yankees as Luke Weaver heads to the injured list with a left hamstring strain.

Mets Injury Notes: Sean Manaea's first rehab start set, good news on Mark Vientos  —  Also, what's next for Frankie Montas  —  POPULAR IN THE COMMUNITY RECENT STORIES  —  Alonso recapturing early-season success after two-homer game vs. Dodgers  —  SEE IT: Mets, Soto stay loose with game of bottle flip in win over Dodgers

Guardians pitcher Ben Lively has Tommy John surgery, expected to miss 12-18 months  —  CLEVELAND — Guardians pitcher Ben Lively had Tommy John surgery on his right elbow Wednesday morning.  —  Dr. Keith Meister did a right elbow ulnar collateral ligament reconstruction with a flexor tendon repair on the 33-year-old Lively in Dallas.

Red Sox, Angels engage in pregame kerfuffle  —  A GM'S VIEW OF CALLING PLAYERS UP QUICKLY  —  Alex Cora mentioned immediately after Tuesday night's demoralizing 10-inning loss to the Angels that all the Red Sox could do to start fix their problems is show up Wednesday.

New York Mets  —  Objective: Get Juan Soto really going and run away with the NL East.  —  Best fit: Cedric Mullins  —  What to know: The Mets have the best record in the NL, and that's without Soto having his typical year and with a patchwork rotation that has managed to be the game's best.

Mets, Brandon Nimmo discuss play on Freddie Freeman's fly ball in 10th inning: 'It's not as routine as it looked'  —  Freeman's fly ball dropped in for a double to score Dodgers' game-winner  —  POPULAR IN THE COMMUNITY RECENT STORIES  —  BEGLEY  —  Mets blow ninth-inning lead, lose to Dodgers in extras