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.

As fantasy baseball gears up for Week 9, savvy managers are scouring the waiver wire for emerging starting pitcher talent. Will Warren of the New York Yankees has gained traction, boasting impressive strikeout numbers and a solid ERA. Cleveland's Gavin Williams is another promising option, demonstrating recent growth in strikeouts with a revamped pitch mix. Jeffrey Springs of the Athletics offers reliability though with fewer strikeouts, while Mitch Keller from Pittsburgh has shown consistency on the mound. In deeper leagues, players like Shane Smith, Ryan Weathers, and Noah Cameron are worth considering for their strong starts and potential in the rotation.

Pete Crow-Armstrong showcased his remarkable talent in the Cubs' recent 13-3 victory over the White Sox, hitting a three-run home run that maintained its fair trajectory thanks to a 21 mph wind gusting out to left-center at Wrigley. This marked Crow-Armstrong's 12th home run of the season, making him the first in Cubs history to achieve at least 12 homers, 30 RBIs, and 10 steals in the first 45 games.

In his major league debut, Cade Horton earned his first win by allowing only three runs over five innings, demonstrating solid command as he struck out multiple batters while effectively managing the challenging wind conditions. The game not only highlighted the Cubs' emerging talents but also emphasized their potential as playoff contenders this season.

Week 5 in fantasy baseball calls for strategic waiver wire moves, especially for starting pitchers. Among the top picks is Andrew Heaney of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who, despite a fastball under 90 MPH, has been effective with a 5.1% walk rate and an impressive K% of 26.3% in his last four starts. Mitchell Parker of the Washington Nationals also stands out, boasting a 1.39 ERA, but his low strikeout rate may limit his overall value. Landen Roupp from the San Francisco Giants shows promise with a significant K% increase, though inconsistency in his ERA raises questions. Jose Quintana of the Milwaukee Brewers remains a reliable option for controlling ratios and winning potential, albeit with limited strikeout upside. Deeper leagues may find value in Reese Olson of the Detroit Tigers, who has improved rapidly, and Matthew Liberatore from the St. Louis Cardinals, boasting four quality starts. Tobias Myers and Shane Smith, both rostered under 30%, are also worth consideration for streaming options.

The Minnesota Twins faced a disappointing 3-0 defeat against the Chicago White Sox, failing to capitalize on a rainy opportunity at Target Field. Despite their aspirations for a series sweep, the Twins struggled to generate any offensive momentum, experiencing their third shutout of the season. In a game characterized by heavy rain and field delays, the White Sox's Lenyn Sosa and Michael Vargas hit solo home runs, while Joshua Palacios contributed with a bases-loaded walk, showcasing the White Sox's resilience amidst their early season challenges.

Rookie Shane Smith led the charge for Chicago, allowing just four hits in five innings while striking out seven Twins batters, proving crucial in their defensive strategy. Meanwhile, Chris Paddack continued to search for his first win, enduring another tough outing by giving up two runs and failing to find his rhythm on the mound. The Twins had their chances, especially in the sixth inning when they loaded the bases, but failed to convert, a microcosm of their struggles throughout the game.