The Atlanta Braves are experiencing an unexpected downturn this season, sitting at 39-47 and facing a daunting challenge to reach the postseason. With seven consecutive playoff appearances in the rearview, the team is now seven games out of a Wild Card spot.

Trade speculation looms as the Braves may be forced into a fire sale at the deadline. Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna has emerged as a potential trade candidate despite struggling recently due to a hip injury. He ranks near the bottom of qualified hitters in OPS since June 1, but could still attract interest from teams seeking offensive help.

With the MLB playoffs looming, strategic pitching acquisitions become crucial for fantasy teams. Yusei Kikuchi has turned a corner since June, boasting a string of quality starts and strikeouts, making him a viable buy-low candidate. Ryan Pepiot is gaining traction due to an advantageous upcoming schedule, particularly excelling on the road. Jacob Lopez is transitioning from a reliever to a starter and showing promise, albeit with a smaller sample size. Edward Cabrera's control issues have improved, hinting at a potential breakout. Michael Soroka, now healthy, is showing consistent performance. Quinn Priester and Chad Patrick present contrasting trends, with Priester surging while Patrick struggles.

With July 4th festivities approaching, MLB DFS players will have a busy Friday filled with eight games to choose from. Pitching options are limited, but Spencer Strider from Atlanta stands out as the top choice despite his high salary. He's shown promise with a 2.70 ERA and an impressive strikeout rate in his recent outings against a struggling Baltimore lineup.

On the other hand, Sandy Alcantara, returning from Tommy John surgery, offers a lower-risk option given his historical performance, albeit with a current high ERA. Hitting prospects include Riley Greene, who boasts a solid OPS against righties, and Matt Olson, whose recent form shows improved power numbers. Others to consider are bargain hitters Mookie Betts and Andrew Benintendi, lately finding their groove against weaker pitching.

On a festive Friday main slate for FanDuel MLB, fantasy players face a nine-game lineup commencing at 6:40 p.m. EDT. The pitching options are somewhat limited, with only five arms priced above $9,100, as run totals suggest a high-scoring night across the board. Notably, the Rockies-White Sox matchup leads the slate with an 11.0 run total, while the Dodgers and Braves feature prominently as favorites despite respective offensive struggles.

Spencer Strider and Eduardo Rodriguez stand out as pitching options at $9,500, but Strider's efficiency gives him an edge with higher potential for strikeouts and wins against Baltimore. Other pitchers like Quinn Priester and Charlie Morton hold appeal due to favorable matchups, especially with the Braves' recent slump. Target players include Corey Seager and Marcus Semien from the Rangers, both on impressive hitting streaks, while the Padres' lineup could exploit Kumar Rocker's recent struggles. Stacking opportunities arise with the Dodgers facing Lance McCullers and the Blue Jays against Kyle Hendricks, offering strong potential for fantasy points.

Week 15 of the 2025 MLB season presents a treasure trove of breakout hitters and potential fantasy gems. Key players on the rise include Brandon Lowe, who is currently on an impressive 18-game hitting streak, showcasing a .380 batting average with six home runs. Jo Adell, also making waves, has transformed into a power hitter, boasting a 13-game hitting streak with a .340 average. Meanwhile, underachievers like Corey Seager highlight the discrepancies between expected and actual performance, suggesting a robust bounce-back potential.

Fantasy managers should be on the lookout for waiver wire targets with players such as Zach McKinstry and Caleb Durbin. McKinstry's versatility across multiple positions and his recent .524 batting average make him an attractive acquisition. Similarly, Durbin’s minor league speed credentials could translate into significant fantasy value if he heats up. Utilizing tools for trade analyses and matchup data can further enhance lineup decisions as we navigate the critical stretch of the season.