Latest news with #LanceMcCullersJr.


New York Post
04-07-2025
- Sport
- New York Post
Fanatics Sportsbook promo: New users get $1,000 no sweat first bet for Astros vs. Dodgers
Gambling content 21+. The New York Post may receive an affiliate commission if you sign up through our links. Read our editorial standards for more information. Two of MLB's marquee franchise's will play the first of a three-game set on Fourth of July in Los Angeles on Friday night. With recent hot stretches, both the Dodgers and Astros have started to pull away in their respective divisions, setting up a perfect opportunity for the clubs to see where they stand among baseball's best. Find out how we're betting this potential World Series matchup below. Fanatics Sportsbook promo for Dodgers vs. Astros The offer is valid for new users in Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Washington, D.C., Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, New Jersey, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia and Wyoming. You must place at least a $1 bet with odds of -500 or longer for 10 straight days to be eligible for the no sweat bet. How to sign up at Fanatics Sportsbook Select your bonus offer. Choose your state. Fill out your login details. Enter the promo code. Make a deposit. What our Post expert thinks about Dodgers vs. Astros Lance McCullers Jr. will take the mound for the Astros looking for a bounce-back outing against one of the best offenses in baseball. Since returning after a two-year absence due to arm issues, the right-hander has struggled, posting a 6.61 ERA. Heading into Thursday, the Dodgers had scored 6.2 runs per game over their last 10 games. Against the struggling McCullers, I'm betting them to have another big scoring night. New customers in AZ, CO, CT, DC, IA, IL, IN, KS, KY, LA, MA, MD, MI, NC, NJ, OH, PA, TN, VT, VA, WV, or WY only. Must apply this promotion in your bet slip and place a $1+ cash wager with odds of -500 or longer each day for 10 straight days. Your 10 days begin the day you establish your account. Wager must settle as a loss to qualify for Bonus Bets. Bonus Bets will equal the amount of the losing wager(s) (up to $100 in Bonus Bets per day) and expire 7 days from issuance. This offer is not available in NY. Terms apply- see Fanatics Sportsbook app. Why Trust New York Post Betting Dylan Svoboda is a versatile writer and analyst across many sports. He's particularly knowledgeable about the big three — MLB, the NFL and the NBA.


Winnipeg Free Press
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Winnipeg Free Press
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. activated off IL, set to start against Cubs
HOUSTON (AP) — Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. is set to start for the Houston Astros on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs after the team activated him from the 15-day injured list. McCullers was placed on the injured list June 13. After missing two full seasons because of a right flexor tendon surgery, McCullers is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in seven starts this season, but he compiled a 3.20 ERA in his last five starts with 35 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. McCullers' return is welcome news for an Astros rotation that has lost Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco for the rest of the season because of surgery and has been without Spencer Arrighetti since April after he suffered a broken right thumb during a batting practice accident. Houston is also without right-handers Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier, who are still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite being short-handed, the Astros entered Saturday with a 6 1/2-game lead in the American League West. Their 3.41 team ERA is tied for fourth best in the majors. The Astros optioned right-hander Nick Hernandez to make room on the roster for McCullers. ___ AP MLB:


Fox Sports
28-06-2025
- Sport
- Fox Sports
Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. activated off IL, set to start against Cubs
Associated Press HOUSTON (AP) — Right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. is set to start for the Houston Astros on Saturday against the Chicago Cubs after the team activated him from the 15-day injured list. McCullers was placed on the injured list June 13. After missing two full seasons because of a right flexor tendon surgery, McCullers is 1-2 with a 4.91 ERA in seven starts this season, but he compiled a 3.20 ERA in his last five starts with 35 strikeouts over 25 1/3 innings. McCullers' return is welcome news for an Astros rotation that has lost Hayden Wesneski and Ronel Blanco for the rest of the season because of surgery and has been without Spencer Arrighetti since April after he suffered a broken right thumb during a batting practice accident. Houston is also without right-handers Luis Garcia and Cristian Javier, who are still recovering from Tommy John surgery. Despite being short-handed, the Astros entered Saturday with a 6 1/2-game lead in the American League West. Their 3.41 team ERA is tied for fourth best in the majors. The Astros optioned right-hander Nick Hernandez to make room on the roster for McCullers. ___ AP MLB: recommended


Time of India
16-06-2025
- Sport
- Time of India
Astros under pressure as Lance McCullers Jr heads to 15 day IL
Image Source: Getty The Houston Astros got hit with another big loss Sunday, when veteran right-hander Lance McCullers Jr. was placed on the 15-day injured list because of a right foot sprain. The transaction, backdated to June 13, comes right as the team embarks on a critical run of 13 consecutive games without a day off. This represents a new hurdle for McCullers, who has already fought his way back from multiple arm surgeries, and it also means the Astros must adjust their now even-battered starting rotation yet again. Lance McCullers Jr injury adds to Houston Astros pitching concerns It was a return — a slow one — from a season-ending October 2022 injury for McCullers, whose 2025 season had been a series of steps back. After undergoing flexor tendon and bone spur surgeries that cost him all of 2023 and 2024, he returned to make seven starts this season, going 1–2 with a 4.91 ERA in 29⅓ innings. His play was still working itself into form, but he still added another layer to a Houston rotation that was already down a few regulars in the game. Now, his latest injury makes the challenges the club faces even greater. This season, Houston has relied heavily on rookies and spot starters, as Colton Gordon and Brandon Walter have stepped into the fray as Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown have continued to fill in as veteran leadership. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 임플란트 29만원 이벤트 임플란트 더 알아보기 Undo The lack of rotation depth is putting pressure not only on manager Joe Espada, but also the front office to make a well-weighed which creates lots of decisions. Astros rotation reshuffle begins after McCullers Jr lands on IL Rookie Ryan Gusto is in line to start in place of McCullers, along with veteran righty Jason Alexander being recalled from Triple-A Sugar Land to start Tuesday. Though numbers are numbers, Alexander has put together a pretty impressive year in the minors: 1.74 ERA, but at the same time, his MLB numbers (6.37 ERA) are hard to ignore when it comes to sustainability at the highest level. With the Astros at 41–30 and in first place in the AL West, they are entering a tough stretch of their schedule. How the rest of the team adjusts to life without McCullers is one of the biggest storylines heading into July, and it will surely test the front office's commitment toward a six-man rotation. Also Read: What led Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. to hire security for himself and his daughter Espada said after the announcement, there would be pressure: "We have depth, but it's being tested on a daily basis. We'll see who steps up.' Houston is eyeing a playoff spot and a division championship with no more room for missteps, and that gives McCullers' recovery timetable even greater importance.
Yahoo
31-05-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Lance McCullers Jr. Reveals 5-Year-Old Daughter's Heartbreaking Question Amid Ongoing Death Threats
Houston Astros pitcher Lance McCullers Jr. is taking serious steps to protect his family after receiving alarming death threats from fans upset over his recent performance. The 31-year-old right-hander, who returned to the mound this season after missing two years due to injury, revealed this week that the threats became extremely severe. Advertisement In fact, they aimed some of their threats at Lance McCullers Jr.'s 5-year-old daughter, Ava. Lance McCullers Jr.'s Daughter Asks, 'Who Wants To Hurt Me?' Amid Disturbing Death Threats 'She asked me when I came home, 'Daddy, like, what is threats? Who wants to hurt us? Who wants to hurt me?'' McCullers shared in a candid interview with the Associated Press on Wednesday, May 28. 'So those conversations are tough to deal with.' McCullers said the threats, which reportedly included graphic messages about harming his children, began after a rocky outing on May 10 against the Cincinnati Reds. During the game, he surrendered seven runs and recorded just one out before being pulled. Advertisement 'I understand people are very passionate and people love the Astros and love sports,' McCullers said. 'But threatening to find my kids and murder them is a little bit tough to deal with. Threatening to find them or saying next time they see us in public they're going to stab my kids to death, things like that, it's tough to hear as a dad.' Astros Step In After McCullers Jr. Receives Chilling Threats Kim Hukari/Image of Sport/Newscom/MEGA The situation quickly escalated to a point where the MLB player reached out to the Astros organization. In response, team owner Jim Crane stepped in and offered personal security for the family. 'You have to at that point,' McCullers said of accepting the offer. Advertisement Astros manager Joe Espada also addressed the situation, calling the threats 'very unfortunate' and urging fans to consider the human side of the game. 'There are people who are threatening his life and the life of his kids because of his performance,' Espada said. 'It's very unfortunate that we have to deal with this.' Joe Espada Praises Lance McCullers Jr.'s Return Amid Threats Ray Stubblebine/UPI Newscom/MEGA Espada reminded fans of McCullers' significant contributions to the franchise's success over the years. The veteran pitcher played key roles in the Astros' World Series victories in both 2017 and 2022, making his current return from injury all the more admirable. Advertisement 'He hasn't been on the mound in almost two years,' Espada said. 'It's going to take time.' McCullers has made five starts this season, battling his way back into the rotation after a long road of recovery. Though the early results haven't been ideal, he's focused on moving forward, both on and off the field, with his family's safety and well-being at the forefront. The situation is currently under investigation by the Houston Police Department and MLB security, with a police spokesperson confirming Thursday that the case remains active. MLB Stars Speak Out As Online Abuse Grows Unfortunately, McCullers is not alone in facing this kind of harassment. Associated Press reported that Boston Red Sox reliever Liam Hendriks recently took to social media to share that he, too, had received vile messages, including death threats directed at his wife, following a poor performance. Advertisement As the trend of online abuse intensifies, fellow players are speaking out in support of McCullers and raising awareness about the emotional toll it takes. Milwaukee Brewers star Christian Yelich, a 13-year MLB veteran and former National League MVP, told reporters the issue has become disturbingly routine. 'I think over the last few years it's definitely increased,' Yelich said. 'It's increased to the point that you're just: 'All right, here we go.' It doesn't even really register on your radar anymore. I don't know if that's a good or a bad thing… It's not just me. It's everybody in here, based on performance.' Lance McCullers Jr. Focused On Family Safety And Comeback After Threats While McCullers is focused on getting back to full strength after nearly two years away from the mound, he's also prioritizing his family's safety amid the chaos. The pitcher, who was a key part of the Astros' World Series-winning teams in 2017 and 2022, has made five starts so far this season and continues to work his way back into top form. Advertisement Despite the challenges, McCullers remains grateful for the support he's received and is committed to ensuring his loved ones stay protected. 'It's tough to hear as a dad,' he said. 'But you do what you have to do.'