As the Cincinnati Reds prepare for the 2025 MLB Draft set for July 13, the team is adopting a 'best player available' strategy. Director of Scouting, Joe Katuska, reflects on the notable depth of the 2023 draft, which featured top talents like Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews, emphasizing that this year's class presents more uncertainty. The Reds, holding the 9th overall pick, aim to leverage their scouting continuity and history of successful picks—including Hunter Greene and Jonathan India—to navigate the challenges of this draft.

While they have leaned towards college players in recent drafts for quicker MLB impacts, Katuska notes the potential for high school selections this year. Importantly, the Reds will prioritize their internal evaluations over public rankings, emphasizing their unique perspective on identifying talent that aligns with their development needs.

As MLB betting heats up, pinpointing key trends is essential for savvy bettors. Notably, the Cincinnati Reds are heavily favored at -235 against the Colorado Rockies, while the Detroit Tigers hold a -215 edge over the Seattle Mariners.

When analyzing pitching matchups, Philadelphia's Ranger Suárez, boasting a remarkable 1.99 ERA, is set against San Diego's Ryan Bergert, who has recently struggled. Suárez's ability to limit homers juxtaposed with Bergert’s injuries gives the Phillies an advantageous position. The recommendation here is to take the Phillies with -1.5 runs at +108.

In a different matchup, the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros face off in a game projected with a total of 8 runs. However, with both starting pitchers, Lance McCullers Jr. and Jack Leiter, showing inconsistent performances, the OVER bet appears to be promising. The suggested wager is the OVER 8 runs for -115.

The final weekend before the All-Star break is packed with action, featuring a full slate of 15 MLB games. Start your DFS lineup with pitching recommendations like Joe Ryan from the Minnesota Twins, who boasts a 2.76 ERA despite facing Paul Skenes and the Pittsburgh Pirates, who languish at the bottom in runs scored. Gavin Williams of the Cleveland Guardians is another solid pick against the struggling Chicago White Sox. For a bold choice, consider Chase Burns from the Cincinnati Reds, who has the potential to dominate against a Rockies lineup that has struggled to score runs this season.

Top hitters to consider include Juan Soto, who has shown exceptional form with a recent 1.156 OPS. Despite not being an All-Star, his performance against right-handed pitchers is noteworthy, especially against a floundering Michael Wacha. Also, keep an eye on José Ramírez, who has been central to the Guardians' offense with a .301 average and the potential for big plays, while players like Addison Barger and Willy Adames present great value at lower prices.

Stacking options for the day include the Texas Rangers against Lance McCullers Jr., and the Oakland Athletics facing Max Scherzer, who seems to be past his prime but remains a formidable opponent. With strong options across the board, fantasy players have ample opportunities to craft winning lineups before the break.

July 11, 2025, brings an exciting MLB DFS slate with all 15 teams playing, presenting ample opportunities for strategic lineup construction. Tarik Skubal stands out as a top-tier pitcher with a remarkable 33.9% strikeout rate and a 1.87 FIP, making him a strong choice against the Mariners, who struggle against left-handed pitchers. For budget-conscious players, Chase Burns offers high strikeout potential at a lower cost, facing the Rockies, who have the second-highest K rate against righties.

Infielders like Elly De La Cruz and Jose Ramirez are poised for big performances, particularly against less-than-stellar pitchers. Meanwhile, Aaron Judge, fresh off a walk-off win, remains a must-have against Chris Flexen, who has historically struggled against right-handed batters. The Yankees and Blue Jays are top stack options for the night, with favorable matchups and high implied run totals.

With all 15 teams playing on this Friday night before the All-Star break, it's a prime opportunity for daily fantasy baseball players to capitalize on some enticing matchups. Tarik Skubal of the Detroit Tigers stands out as a top-tier pitcher, boasting an impressive 33.9% strikeout rate and a remarkable 1.87 FIP this season, making him a solid investment despite his higher price tag on DraftKings and FanDuel.

For those looking for value, Chase Burns from the Cincinnati Reds emerges as a worthwhile SP2 option, especially against a struggling Colorado Rockies offense that has the second-highest strikeout rate against right-handed pitchers. Players like Elly De La Cruz, Aaron Judge, and Jose Ramirez are also crucial lineup considerations, offering solid performance metrics to back up their high projections for this slate.