The San Francisco Giants, with a record of 43-34, find themselves in a competitive position in the NL West, trailing the Los Angeles Dodgers by 3.5 games. Despite a winning record, their offense has been underwhelming, ranking 24th in MLB with a .683 OPS and only 73 home runs. In a strategic move to bolster their lineup, the Giants acquired Rafael Devers from the Boston Red Sox, trading away Jordan Hicks, Kyle Harrison, and other prospects.

Devers, a proven hitter with an OPS of .890 this season, has stepped into the middle of the Giants' order, but his transition to first base has been complicated by a current groin injury. While Devers is recovering, the Giants face a decision at first base, with Dominic Smith and Wilmer Flores as potential replacements. Smith has shown promise with a .298 batting average this season, while Flores has contributed with 11 home runs and 54 RBIs.

The San Francisco Giants face off against the Detroit Tigers in a crucial interleague series starting Monday. The Tigers are fresh off a commanding 5-0 victory against the Cleveland Guardians, while the Giants narrowly edged out the Washington Nationals with a 3-2 win. With a record of 31-22, the Giants currently sit second in the National League West, boasting a road record of 14-13 this season. The Tigers lead the American League Central at 34-20, performing impressively at home with an 18-8 record.

Hayden Birdsong is expected to start for San Francisco, presenting a solid 1.91 ERA over 28.1 innings. On the other hand, Keider Montero, with an ERA of 5.28, will take the mound for Detroit. Key players to watch include Giants' first baseman Wilmer Flores, hitting .254 with 10 homers and 43 RBIs, and Tigers' left fielder Kerry Carpenter, batting .281 with 10 home runs.

Week 8 of the 2025 MLB season is crucial for fantasy baseball players as they look to improve their rosters through strategic waiver wire pickups. With injuries and underperforming players impacting many teams, there are hidden gems available to boost categories like HR, RBI, SB, AVG, and runs.

Key players to consider include Ryan McMahon, whose contributions on a struggling Rockies team include a solid batting average and substantial run total. Tyler Fitzgerald offers versatility and potential to score runs, while Daulton Varsho has returned from the IL with impressive stats. For home runs, young talents like Jordan Beck and Will Benson are making waves, alongside established players like Trevor Larnach. For those seeking RBIs, Wilmer Flores is having a breakout year with significant RBI numbers. Stolen base specialists like Chandler Simpson and Jose Caballero can provide a much-needed speed boost. Lastly, players like Hyeseong Kim and Drake Baldwin can help improve batting average significantly.

As fantasy baseball enthusiasts navigate through Week 3 of the 2025 MLB season, it's crucial to identify waiver wire hitters who can boost your team's performance across various categories. Players like Zach McKinstry, Mike Yastrzemski, and Ty France are making waves in the Runs category, while Jonah Heim, Michael Busch, and Matt Mervis lead as promising options for Home Runs. Meanwhile, Jonathan Aranda, Wilmer Flores, and Cam Smith are showing potential in RBIs, with Zac Veen, Jake Meyers, and Jose Caballero stealing bases. Lastly, Geraldo Perdomo, Jacob Wilson, and Jorge Polanco are essential for enhancing batting averages. Act fast to secure these players who are projected to contribute significantly to your fantasy lineup.

The Cincinnati Reds fell short of a series sweep against the San Francisco Giants, losing 8-6 in a ten-inning thriller at Oracle Park. After leading by five runs, the Reds' lead evaporated as the Giants rallied back, highlighted by Mike Yastrzemski's walk-off two-run homer in the 10th, marking the 106th splash hit in McCovey Cove history. Despite a strong start, Reds' manager Terry Francona lamented the inability to maintain their lead.

Nick Martinez had a solid start but struggled late, allowing four earned runs in 5.2 innings. The Reds built an early 5-0 lead in the third inning, propelled by key hits from Elly De La Cruz and Gavin Lux. However, the Giants' offense finally awoke, tying the game in the eighth before sealing the victory, leading to a mixed bag of emotions as the Reds head into their next series against the Pittsburgh Pirates.