As the fantasy baseball season progresses into Week 11 of 2025, several pitchers are emerging as potential impact players. Notably, Hayden Birdsong of the San Francisco Giants is showcasing significant upside, transitioning back to a starting role. Despite some command issues, his strong strikeout rate and improved pitch metrics make him a valuable waiver wire option. Shane Smith from the Chicago White Sox also garners attention with a solid 2.45 ERA and a developing curveball that has proven effective in recent outings. Meanwhile, Luis L. Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians has found his groove with an effective slider, although concerns about his fastball linger. Lastly, Adrian Houser, now with the White Sox after being picked up from the Rangers, has impressed with a 1.48 ERA across his first four starts, suggesting he could be a savvy pick-up for fantasy managers needing depth.

On June 9, 2025, the Cincinnati Reds (33-33) are set to face the Cleveland Guardians (34-30) at Progressive Field. The Reds are fresh off a sweep against the Arizona Diamondbacks and are bringing the momentum into this matchup. Wade Miley, despite his current 18.00 ERA, has a chance to turn things around facing the Guardians’ Luis L. Ortiz, who boasts a solid 4.02 ERA. The Guardians narrowly avoided a sweep against the Astros last week, showcasing their resilience.

Key players like Jose Trevino and Christian Encarnacion-Strand are crucial for the Reds, while Cleveland’s Bo Naylor, who had an impressive 3-for-4 outing with a home run in his last game, will look to lead the Guardians. Recent trends highlight that the Guardians have been dominant against the Reds at home, winning their last three matchups. Betters should keep an eye on the total runs, with the last three road games for the Reds against the Guardians staying under the total.

As we approach Week 4 of the 2025 MLB fantasy season, three starting pitchers have emerged as potential waiver wire targets due to their surprising performances. Griffin Canning of the New York Mets showcased significant improvement in his last start against the Cardinals, striking out eight over six innings. Canning has increased his slider usage, achieving a remarkable whiff rate, indicating he could be a valuable addition for fantasy players.

Landen Roupp of the San Francisco Giants also delivered an impressive outing against the Angels, recording nine strikeouts and displaying a dominant curveball that has shown a high strikeout potential. His performance suggests he could be a high-upside option for deeper leagues. Lastly, Luis Ortiz of the Cleveland Guardians is making headlines with his recent strikeout rate. Although his past struggles raise questions about sustainability, his recent performance against the Pirates could indicate he's turning a corner.

Bo Naylor led the charge for the Cleveland Guardians, going 3-for-5 with a home run and three RBIs during a thrilling 10-7 victory against the Pittsburgh Pirates, snapping a two-game losing streak for Cleveland. Naylor's pivotal two-run double in the fourth inning helped the Guardians take the lead, while a five-run seventh inning sealed the deal. Jhonkensy Noel and Gabriel Arias also contributed with critical two-run doubles. Despite a valiant effort by the Pirates, including Bryan Reynolds' three hits and two RBIs, they fell short. The Guardians' starting pitcher, Luis L. Ortiz, struck out eight and managed the game effectively, marking a strong performance against his former team.

The MLB schedule is heating up with all 30 teams in action, presenting numerous betting opportunities for players. Cole Ragans of the Kansas City Royals is set to face the Detroit Tigers, a team that ranks among the highest in strikeouts. Ragans boasts a remarkable strikeout rate of 36.6% early this season, making his over 7.5 strikeouts a promising wager. Meanwhile, Jose Altuve of the Houston Astros is expected to shine, with his over 1.5 hits, runs, and RBIs against a struggling Kyle Hart. Altuve's .311 batting average and favorable matchup against left-handed pitchers suggest a productive day ahead. Lastly, Luis L. Ortiz of the Pittsburgh Pirates is also worth watching, as he aims to exceed 4.5 strikeouts against the Cleveland Guardians, a team that has been prone to strikeouts this season.