Miles Mikolas takes the mound for the St. Louis Cardinals as they face off against the Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park. The Cardinals have struggled recently, showcasing a 12-17 record, while the Reds sit at 16-13. Last game saw Nick Martinez earn his first win, leading the Reds to a 3-1 victory over the Cardinals. The matchup features two pitchers with contrasting stats; Mikolas is 0-2 with a 5.70 ERA while Brady Singer boasts an impressive 4-0 record and a 3.62 ERA.

Betting odds favor the Reds (-135) for the moneyline, with a projected total of 9 runs. Notably, Nolan Arenado of the Cardinals is in a slump, hitting just .161 over his last eight games, while Elly De La Cruz is on fire with a 12-game hitting streak at .333. The Reds have covered the run line in four of their last five games, which adds intrigue to this matchup.

Brady Singer delivered a stellar pitching performance, leading the Cincinnati Reds to a 5-3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates. With 53 of his 88 pitches finding the strike zone, Singer improved to 3-0 for the season. He impressed early, not allowing a hit until the fifth inning, while striking out three and conceding just two hits overall. The Reds' bullpen maintained the lead, with Taylor Rogers, Graham Ashcraft, and Emilio Pagán effectively closing out the game.

The Reds secured their runs with a mix of discipline and power; a two-run homer from Jeimer Candelario marked his first of the year, while an error allowed two additional runs to cross in the third inning. Despite the Pirates attempting a late comeback with a double and a home run from Adam Frazier, the Reds' pitching staff, currently ranked fourth in MLB in ERA, showcased their depth and resilience throughout the game.

As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, veteran pitchers are making headlines with impressive early performances. Brady Singer, now with the Cincinnati Reds, has transformed his game with a new pitch mix, achieving a 30.6% strikeout rate while abandoning his less effective pitches. His cutter's introduction has created a new dynamic on the mound. Meanwhile, Nathan Eovaldi of the Texas Rangers is also thriving, boasting a stunning 2.29 ERA and a career-high strikeout rate, largely due to an increased curveball usage. Likewise, Martin Perez has started strong for the Chicago White Sox, although his low ERA may not be sustainable due to regression factors. Kyle Freeland of the Rockies has added a sweeper to his arsenal, leading to improved ground ball rates, while Jesús Luzardo has captivated fans with an incredible strikeout percentage, thanks to a similar pitch adaptation. Fantasy players must keep an eye on these evolving talents as they navigate the season.

As Week 2 of fantasy baseball kicks off, maximizing waiver wire opportunities is crucial for fantasy managers aiming for victory. This week focuses on lesser-known but promising starting pitchers, all available in over 50% of Yahoo leagues. Injuries have plagued pitchers like Dustin May of the Los Angeles Dodgers, yet his impressive strikeout rate and potential for wins make him a top target after a stellar start against the Braves. Brady Singer of the Cincinnati Reds showcased a strong outing against the Rangers, making him a solid pickup as he faces the struggling Pirates. Reese Olson of the Detroit Tigers, despite a tough start against the Dodgers, is set to face the struggling Twins. Lastly, Max Meyer of the Miami Marlins appears to be a future star with a high strikeout rate, making him a worthy addition to any roster.

Strikeout props take center stage as the MLB season gains momentum. As we head into April 5, 2025, the betting landscape is ripe with opportunities, especially for savvy bettors looking to capitalize on pitchers with favorable matchups. Today's highlighted picks include players like Reese Olson of the Detroit Tigers, who is projected to exceed 5.5 strikeouts against the Chicago White Sox, a team that has shown a tendency to strike out against right-handed pitching. Olson's recent strong performance against the Dodgers showcases his potential.

Spencer Arrighetti from the Houston Astros, also targeting 5.5 strikeouts, faces a Twins lineup grappling with strikeout regression. With a solid debut under his belt and a potent curveball, Arrighetti could easily exceed this mark. Taj Bradley, meanwhile, will need to navigate the deep Texas Rangers lineup, but his strikeout rate suggests he’s capable of meeting the 5.5 threshold. Brady Singer has reinvented himself with a potent mix of pitches leading to increased strikeouts in his recent outings. He'll encounter a Brewers lineup that has struggled against righties. Lastly, keep an eye on AJ Smith-Shawver, who faces the Miami Marlins, one of the more strikeout-prone teams in baseball, making his 4.5 strikeout prop an intriguing bet.