Padres 2, Rockies 0 in a dreary Petco Park opener highlighted by McCade Brown’s quality start for Colorado, but the offense never showed up, chalking up 14 strikeouts. Freddy Fermin opened San Diego’s scoring with an RBI single, then Luis Arraez added an RBI hit to push the lead to 2-0. Jackson Merrill doubled the lead with a fourth-inning blast as Padres bullpen slammed the door, preserving the two-run victory. Rockies battle Friday with Tanner Gordon toeing the rubber.

Fantasy takeaway: lean Padres for value, especially Arraez and Fermin, who supplied the scoring. Colorado’s bats remain the fade, but Brown’s night hints at a late-season breakout if the lineup can support him. Friday’s matchup features Colorado’s Tanner Gordon versus an uncertain Padres starter, offering potential DFS leverage if San Diego’s hot bats carry over.

Condon, the Rockies’ 2024 third pick, is heating up at Hartford. He’s slashing .262 with 10 homers in 47 games, and since Aug. 1 he’s .297/.415/.624 with eight homers and 22 RBIs in 28 contests, ranking among Eastern League leaders in power and overall production. The org. envisions a homegrown, power-first first baseman to fill the Helton void, especially as Toglia struggles and Kurtz excels elsewhere. Condon’s grounded approach and ongoing adjustments keep his major-league path plausible.

Behind the scenes, Meacham and Rockies execs preach patience and process: stay in the moment, read pitchers, and avoid chasing shortcuts. Condon’s tweaks—slightly lower stance, improved pitch recognition, and steadier handling of failure—fit a blueprint many Rockies fans hope leads to a Denver debut, with long-term fantasy upside if his power and contact converge against higher-quality pitching.

Shane Smith's journey from Rule 5 draft pick to an All-Star is a remarkable tale in baseball. The White Sox right-hander earned his first All-Star nod for the American League, set to take place on July 15 in Atlanta, making him the team's sole representative. Despite a season record of 3-7 with a 4.20 ERA across 17 starts, Smith's growth has been impressive, including standout performances during spring training where he notably struck out Shohei Ohtani twice in one game.

Manager Will Venable expressed pride in Smith's achievements, highlighting how this rookie pitcher has evolved from fighting for a roster spot to making an All-Star team. His early season success was marked by a string of quality outings, and while recent performances have seen some struggles, Smith remains optimistic about his development. He reflects on his journey, emphasizing gratitude for the opportunity and the support from the White Sox organization.

Week 14 offers fantasy baseball players a host of intriguing waiver wire options, with focus on hitters under 50% rostered. Ernie Clement (TOR) stands out, especially against lefties, boasting a .425 batting average against them. Miguel Vargas (CHW) is poised for improvement as the team heads to Coors Field. Michael Toglia (COL) looks to capitalize on the homestand, while Nolan Schanuel (LAA) remains a solid option despite recent struggles. As for desperate picks, Spencer Steer (CIN) shows promise after recent performances, while Carlos Santana (CLE) may find his footing against left-handed pitchers.