The 2025 fantasy baseball season is heating up as Week 7 approaches, bringing several starting pitchers into the spotlight. Shane Smith of the Chicago White Sox has been particularly impressive recently, boasting a remarkable 2.08 ERA. He showcased his potential with a stellar six-inning performance against the Miami Marlins, striking out seven without allowing any earned runs. Smith's changeup has been a standout pitch this season, holding opponents to a .143 average, while his fastball consistently generates swings and misses.

Meanwhile, Stephen Kolek of the San Diego Padres has made a splash by throwing a complete-game shutout against the Rockies, potentially solidifying his spot in the rotation amid uncertainty with Yu Darvish's return. Lastly, Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox seems to be on the verge of rebounding after a shaky start to the season, culminating in his best outing yet, allowing just one unearned run over 6.2 innings. With the season's halfway mark approaching, these pitchers may be worth a look on fantasy waiver wires as managers search for valuable arms.

Optimistic fantasy baseball pickups emerge as young talents Jackson Holliday and Kyle Stowers excel, showcasing their potential. Holliday, a 2B for the Baltimore Orioles, recently hit his first multi-homer game and boasts impressive stats: .341 average, .449 OBP, and .561 SLG over his last 15 games. His improved plate discipline and power could make him a hot add in leagues. Meanwhile, Stowers, an OF for the Miami Marlins, has also impressed with two multi-HR games in four days, including a dramatic walk-off slam. His barrel rate and hard-hit percentage suggest he could soon rise in the Marlins' lineup.

Other notable pickups include Javier Baez of the Tigers, who, despite inconsistency, has shown flashes of his potential. Shane Smith of the White Sox presents two-start value, leveraging strong pitching against the Royals and Marlins. Meanwhile, the Dodgers' Ben Casparius and Athletics' Gunnar Hoglund are intriguing for deeper leagues. Collectively, these players could provide significant boosts for fantasy managers looking for an edge.

As the fantasy baseball season progresses into Week 6 of 2025, several starting pitchers have emerged as intriguing waiver wire pickups. J.P. Sears of the Athletics boasts a 2.94 ERA and 1.07 WHIP, primarily due to his improved control and increased slider usage. Meanwhile, Matthew Liberatore from the Cardinals shows promise with a 3.44 ERA and a striking improvement in his command. Shane Smith of the White Sox is generating excitement with a 2.23 ERA in his rookie season, supported by a diverse pitch arsenal. Tyler Anderson of the Angels, while consistently solid, remains a streaming option, and Ben Lively of the Guardians shows potential as a matchup-based starter despite a higher SIERA.

Shane Smith made an impressive mark in his major league debut, pitching five scoreless innings against the Minnesota Twins to secure his first win with the Chicago White Sox. This victory ends a painful 14-game losing streak at Target Field for the Sox, with notable offensive support coming from Miguel Vargas and Lenyn Sosa, both of whom contributed solo home runs. Vargas expressed his growing confidence at the plate, highlighting improved at-bats, and manager Will Venable praised the team’s resilience throughout their struggles in the series.

Smith’s performance was characterized by an aggressive approach, as he struck out seven batters, demonstrating his ability to regain control of counts after initial setbacks. His current ERA sits at a commendable 2.30 over five starts. Meanwhile, catcher Edgar Quero is showcasing his potential, registering multiple hits and maintaining a .333 batting average since his call-up from Triple-A. Bryse Wilson, filling in as a starter due to an injury in the rotation, also performed admirably, managing to limit damage despite a shaky start. The Sox's bullpen stepped up as well, with Jordan Leasure and Brandon Eisert helping secure the win, the latter achieving his first career save.

As the 2025 MLB season progresses, the spotlight shines on several starting pitchers showcasing noteworthy changes. Edward Cabrera of the Miami Marlins has made significant adjustments, including a dramatic decrease in four-seam fastball usage. Instead, he is now leaning on breaking balls, particularly a newly refined slider and a revamped curveball that shows promise for whiffs. These changes may herald a breakout season if Cabrera can maintain control.

Ben Brown of the Chicago Cubs, despite a recent impressive performance against the Dodgers, struggles with consistency. His high walk rates and reliance on two pitches raise red flags for long-term success. Shane Smith from the White Sox is also navigating his own challenges. While he showcases effective velocity, his pitch distribution needs refinement to effectively compete against right-handed hitters. Finally, Yusei Kikuchi's transformation with the Angels has initially yielded disappointing results, with concerns surrounding his new arm slot and pitch command.