Week 12 of the 2025 MLB season presents an opportunity for fantasy baseball managers to enhance their pitching rosters through key waiver wire targets. Among the prime candidates are veterans and emerging talents alike, rostered in under 50% of Yahoo! leagues.

Clayton Kershaw, at 38 years old, is regaining form with a recent win over the Cardinals, boasting seven strikeouts. Meanwhile, Mick Abel, stepping in for the injured Aaron Nola, has been impressive with a 2.35 ERA in his first three starts. Other noteworthy options include Shane Smith from the White Sox, Max Scherzer with Toronto, and rookie Cade Horton from the Cubs, all showing potential for impactful performances.

For deeper leagues, Edward Cabrera of the Marlins remains a trade candidate despite a recent setback, while Adrian Houser has impressed with increased velocity this season. Charlie Morton is making a case for streaming with a high strikeout rate, and Colton Gordon is quietly becoming a reliable asset for those in search of depth.

Several exciting No Runs First Inning (NRFI) betting opportunities are available today across five Major League Baseball games. The featured matchups include prominent pitchers like Kevin Gausman, Michael Wacha, and Hunter Brown, each demonstrating solid performances that lend support to NRFI bets. Gausman, despite a middling NRFI record, has shown promise with a low WHIP and opposing batting average. Meanwhile, Wacha stands out with an undefeated NRFI record this season, making him a strong candidate against a weak Chicago White Sox lineup.

In other games, Hunter Brown faces the Cleveland Guardians, who struggle to score in the first inning, while Boston's Garrett Crochet and New York's Ryan Yarbrough present a captivating pitcher duel. Finally, Baltimore's Charlie Morton and Oakland's Luis Severino round out the night with intriguing potential for NRFI bets, particularly with Severino's impressive NRFI record and low first-inning WHIP. Betting responsibly and considering the weather and lineups will be crucial as the action unfolds.

The Dodgers' Yoshinobu Yamamoto is set to continue his excellent pitching as he faces the Cleveland Guardians on Memorial Day. With a 5-3 record and a stunning 1.86 ERA, Yamamoto is a top contender for the National League Cy Young Award, currently sitting at +310 odds. He will go against Guardians' Gavin Williams, who holds a 4-2 record with a 3.94 ERA.

Top sportsbooks have placed Yamamoto's strikeout total at 6.5, while the SportsLine Projection Model favors the under as a four-star play, projecting Yamamoto for under that number. Williams also faces the same total, with the model suggesting he will similarly fall short against the powerful Dodgers lineup.

The Baltimore Orioles (16-32) face the Boston Red Sox (25-26) tonight with Charlie Morton on the mound for the Orioles against Lucas Giolito for the Red Sox. After breaking their eight-game losing streak with a 8-4 victory in extra innings, the Orioles are looking to build momentum. However, it’s been a rough start for Morton, who has lost all twelve of his starts this season, showcasing a 7.68 ERA. Giolito, who has a 7.08 ERA, will also be looking to improve after a rough outing in his last game where he allowed six earned runs in four innings. The matchup promises to be intriguing as both pitchers have struggled recently.

The odds favor the Red Sox at -130 on the moneyline, while the Orioles are at +110. Betting trends show the Orioles have lost four of their last five games, with the over being 8-4 in their matchups against AL East teams this season. Expect the Red Sox to leverage their home advantage at Fenway Park, aiming for a win to move closer to .500.