The Tampa Bay Rays are in a fierce race for the AL East, currently just half a game behind the Yankees. After a decisive sweep over the Royals, Tampa's pitching has been stellar, allowing only one run over three games, highlighted by Shane Baz's eight scoreless innings in a recent 4-0 victory. In contrast, the Baltimore Orioles have struggled, dropping two of three to Texas, leaving them 12 games under .500. The matchup features Ryan Pepiot (3.04 ERA) for the Rays against the Orioles' Tomoyuki Sugano (3.55 ERA), both looking to strengthen their teams' standings. Betting trends show the Rays are strong on the road, and the odds favor them slightly. Notably, Tampa has covered the spread in four of their last five games, while the Orioles have failed to score significantly in recent outings.

The MLB action heats up with a full slate of games, offering opportunities for savvy bettors focusing on No Runs First Inning (NRFI) picks. Key matchups on June 20, 2025, feature solid pitching duels that enhance the potential for scoreless first innings. Notable matchups include Tomoyuki Sugano facing Max Fried, Blade Tidwell against Zack Wheeler, Michael Lorenzen squaring off with Nick Pivetta, and Hunter Dobbins challenging Hayden Birdsong.

One of the highlights is the matchup between the Baltimore Orioles and the New York Yankees. Sugano's recent form, including a previous outing where he dominated the Yankees with five scoreless innings, presents a favorable scenario for an NRFI bet. Similarly, Fried's stellar 1.89 ERA underlines the Yankees' struggles against left-handed pitchers, making this a compelling pick.

In the game featuring the New York Mets against the Philadelphia Phillies, Wheeler's impressive stats complement Tidwell's potential, especially with the former boasting a 2.76 ERA. The familiarity gap could benefit Tidwell, making this match another NRFI target. The Kansas City Royals and San Diego Padres matchup also looks promising with Lorenzen's effective start against Pivetta's strong home performance.

Lastly, the Boston Red Sox face the San Francisco Giants, where both pitchers have shown an ability to limit early scoring opportunities. Given the favorable odds across these matchups, bettors should keep an eye on weather and lineups before placing wagers.

Tomoyuki Sugano struggled early, conceding four runs in just the first two innings, significantly hampering the Orioles' chances against the Athletics. Despite showcasing potential with his pitching, the team failed to generate enough offense to mount a comeback. The game ended with a disappointing 5-1 loss for the Orioles, putting pressure on their lineup as they seek to turn around their season.

The search for reliable starting pitchers continues to be a critical need for fantasy baseball teams, especially in the tumultuous early weeks of the season. This season, three pitchers have emerged as potential breakout candidates: Jameson Taillon of the Chicago Cubs, Tomoyuki Sugano of the Baltimore Orioles, and Ryan Weathers of the Miami Marlins. Each player offers unique strengths and weaknesses, raising the question for fantasy managers: are they worth the investment?

Jameson Taillon has shown resilience in his ninth MLB season with a 3.86 ERA and solid WHIP numbers. With the Cubs needing stability due to injuries in their rotation, Taillon has delivered five quality starts in his last six games. His ability to limit walks and deliver innings makes him a trustworthy addition to mixed leagues. Tomoyuki Sugano, transitioning from Japan, has impressed in his debut season with a 3.23 ERA, although he struggles with strikeouts and could face regression as he adapts to MLB competition. Meanwhile, Ryan Weathers has the highest strikeout potential among the trio, showcasing a 1.15 ERA and strong performances since returning from injury, making him a compelling pickup for those looking to boost their rotation with upside.

Week 9 of fantasy baseball is here, and it’s time to scour the waiver wire for valuable pitchers who are widely available in points leagues. Four standout options emerge: Shane Baz of the Tampa Bay Rays, Dustin May from the Los Angeles Dodgers, Tomoyuki Sugano of the Baltimore Orioles, and rookie Hayden Birdsong of the San Francisco Giants.

Shane Baz has electric stuff, evident from his early season dominance, though he struggled in May. His advanced stats signal potential for positive regression, especially with a favorable matchup against the Houston Astros. Dustin May has shown promise, particularly in a recent start against the Arizona Diamondbacks, and faces the struggling Cleveland Guardians next, making him a solid add. Tomoyuki Sugano is consistent and will start twice in Week 9, while Hayden Birdsong is set to shine in his new starting role after a solid outing against the Kansas City Royals. Each of these pitchers has the potential for significant fantasy impact, so consider adding them to bolster your roster.