As the 2025 MLB season approaches its halfway point, fantasy baseball managers must reconsider their pitching options. In this week’s Unlikely Aces, we evaluate four starting pitchers who have shown unexpected promise: Colton Gordon, Trevor Rogers, Adrian Houser, and Matthew Liberatore. Each has demonstrated various strengths and weaknesses critical for fantasy roster decisions.

Colton Gordon, despite a recent hike in ERA after a rough outing at Coors Field, shows elite command with a 99th percentile walk rate. However, his lackluster fastball and high HR/9 rate make him a risky streaming option. Trevor Rogers, who’s rebounded from injury woes and is showing improvements, especially in velocity and control, remains a solid option in mixed leagues. Adrian Houser’s resurgence with the White Sox, boasting a stellar 1.90 ERA over his last seven starts, illustrates his potential as a bench streamer. Lastly, Matthew Liberatore has turned around his previous struggles with impressive command and a decent strikeout rate, making him a reliable addition for most fantasy formats.