Thursday's MLB slate is packed with 16 games, divided between day and night. FanDuel has opted for the night games as the main slate, which features key pitchers and hitters. Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies stands out with a solid 3.29 ERA and a remarkable 23+ FanDuel points in 13 of his 14 starts this season. He faces a struggling Miami lineup, enhancing his fantasy appeal.

Another pitcher to consider is Drew Rasmussen from Tampa Bay, boasting a 2.55 ERA. He’s consistently limited scoring opportunities and should perform well against the Baltimore Orioles. Among hitters, Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros is a must-start with impressive stats against left-handed pitchers. Brent Rooker from Oakland and Jonathan Aranda of Tampa Bay also present great value picks. Lastly, stacking the Los Angeles Dodgers against a rookie pitcher could yield significant returns, especially with Shohei Ohtani leading the charge.

The fantasy baseball landscape is shifting rapidly with Week 11 of the season seeing significant changes in closer roles across the league. Camilo Doval of the San Francisco Giants is now the primary closer, having secured eight saves despite a recent setback. In Texas, Robert Garcia has replaced Luke Jackson in the ninth inning, showcasing his potential by delivering scoreless outings. The Arizona Diamondbacks are caught in a confusing bullpen dynamic, with Justin Martinez emerging as the likely closer after a string of impressive performances, while Shelby Miller remains a relevant option. Meanwhile, the Atlanta Braves face a closer crisis, with Raisel Iglesias struggling significantly this season, leading to a potential resurgence from Craig Kimbrel after his call-up from Triple-A. The Chicago Cubs have found their closer in Daniel Palencia, who has locked down five consecutive saves without allowing a run. The Detroit Tigers' bullpen features a tandem of Will Vest and Tommy Kahnle, both proving effective. Lastly, the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins continue to grapple with murky closer situations, making strategic pickups critical for fantasy players.

Will Benson's recent performance for the Cincinnati Reds has been a roller coaster, following his impressive designation as NL Player of the Week. After leading the league with a .526 batting average, five home runs, and ten RBI, his subsequent outings witnessed a dip in production, reflecting a 1-for-9 performance in the week that followed. Nevertheless, the impact of his earlier achievements remains palpable, significantly contributing to the Reds' turnaround from a rocky start against the White Sox to a five-game winning streak against the Pirates.

Despite facing decreased playing time due to matchup strategies, Benson has maintained consistency in his overall approach at the plate. His manager, Terry Francona, praised the mechanical adjustments in his swing, highlighting that Benson's hands are now positioned more favorably during his swing, unlocking potential for quality contact. As the Reds gear up for their next matchup against the Cubs, Benson's ability to harness his recent accolades and apply them to his game will be pivotal for the team's continued success in the NL Central.

In this week's Waiver Wire Watch, players with under 40% roster rates are highlighted for potential adds based on recent performance. Will Benson of the Cincinnati Reds stands out after a hot start with five homers in 11 games, while Trevor Larnach shows promise in the Minnesota Twins lineup. Jordan Beck of the Rockies benefits from Coors Field's environment, and Hyeseong Kim's playing time with the Dodgers looks promising. The article also discusses emerging pitchers like Gavin Williams and Hayden Birdsong, who are gaining traction in their rotations.

The Week 9 waiver wire analysis for fantasy baseball focuses on intriguing, yet risky players including outfielders Will Benson and Robert Hassell III, as well as pitcher Mike Burrows. Benson's volatile hitting profile raises concerns despite his recent power surge; he's known for high strikeout rates. Hassell, filling in for the injured Dylan Crews, offers speed but lacks power potential. Burrows has shown promise with solid strikeout numbers but faces tough matchups ahead, limiting his immediate appeal. Each player presents unique risks and potential rewards for your fantasy roster.