Wilyer Abreu of the Boston Red Sox made history with a rare accomplishment, hitting an inside-the-park grand slam during a game against the Cincinnati Reds, a feat not witnessed in 67 years. Meanwhile, the New York Mets are concerned about Griffin Canning’s possible Achilles injury sustained in their victory over the Atlanta Braves. Tampa Bay Rays star Wander Franco has been found guilty of sexual abuse involving a minor but will not serve time due to a suspended sentence. Bobby Witt Jr. of the Kansas City Royals is set to join Aaron Judge and Paul Skenes on Team USA for the 2026 World Baseball Classic.

In other news, Arizona Diamondbacks’ Ketel Marte had an emotional moment after a fan’s taunt about his late mother during a game against the Chicago White Sox. Corbin Carroll hopes his injured list stint will be temporary, and the Diamondbacks have signed veteran catcher James McCann. Meanwhile, the Rays are facing serious allegations against Wander Franco, who is fighting charges of sexual abuse against a minor and could face prison time.

The Kansas City Royals (40-47) are set to face off against the Seattle Mariners (45-41) at T-Mobile Park. In the recent series, the Mariners captured game three with a narrow 3-2 victory, bringing the series score to 2-1 in their favor. The Royals have struggled lately, holding a 2-9 record in their last 11 games, while the Mariners have a favorable 7-4 record over the same span.

Both teams will send strong pitchers to the mound: Seth Lugo for the Royals (5-5, 2.74 ERA) and Bryan Woo for the Mariners (7-4, 2.93 ERA). Lugo recently pitched 5.2 innings allowing no earned runs, while Woo also delivered a stellar performance in his last outing, striking out nine batters.

The betting odds favor the Mariners at -156, while the Royals are at +130. The game total is set at 7 runs, with the Mariners favored to cover the 1.5-run spread. Bettors are leaning towards the over, considering the recent offensive inconsistencies of the Royals against American League teams.

Daily fantasy baseball enthusiasts have a well-structured slate ahead for Thursday, 7/3/2025, with impactful matchups and a variety of pitching options. Notable pitchers like Robbie Ray and Seth Lugo are at the forefront, offering solid strikeout potential and favorable matchups. Ray, recently coming off an injury, boasts a strong 2.75 ERA this season and has shown consistent performance against lefty-heavy lineups. Lugo, meanwhile, has been on a tear against top teams, showcasing a potent strikeout curveball.

Offensively, Bobby Witt Jr. and Addison Barger emerge as key targets. Witt is heating up with a six-game hitting streak, presenting great value against the Mariners’ struggling pitcher Logan Evans. Barger’s impressive metrics suggest he can exploit favorable matchups against right-handed pitching, making him a solid mid-range option. Meanwhile, Shohei Ohtani remains a standout play, contributing across the board with power and speed. Weather conditions are favorable, ensuring optimal conditions for fantasy relevance.

The Chicago Cubs are actively exploring the pitching trade market following the loss of Justin Steele for the remainder of the 2025 season. Among the teams the Cubs are reportedly in talks with is the Kansas City Royals, eyeing their starting pitcher Seth Lugo. Lugo, who finished as the American League Cy Young runner-up in 2024, has continued to impress in 2025 with a 2.74 ERA over 15 starts.

Despite the Royals’ insistence on contending for the postseason, their struggling offense may prompt a trade. Lugo’s addition could bolster the Cubs’ rotation, which has faced challenges this season, primarily relying on Shota Imanaga and Matthew Boyd. The Cubs see Lugo as a valuable asset for a potential postseason run, and they are willing to negotiate, although a deal may require overcoming the Royals’ current standing ambitions.

Today's MLB action presents intriguing strikeout prop opportunities as several starting pitchers excel against their opponents' strikeout rates. Notably, Logan Gilbert of the Seattle Mariners showcases a 37.0% strikeout rate against a Kansas City lineup that strikes out 18.1% of the time. Jacob Misiorowski from the Milwaukee Brewers offers a strong 33.9% against the New York Mets, who have a 21.0% strikeout rate.

Hunter Brown from the Houston Astros, with a 32.1% strikeout rate, faces a Colorado team that leads the league with a 27.0% strikeout rate. MacKenzie Gore of the Washington Nationals also stands out with a 31.8% strikeout rate against the Detroit Tigers, who strike out 22.3% of the time. These matchups provide exciting potential for a strikeout parlay bet.