The Minnesota Twins faced a disappointing defeat against the Chicago Cubs on Thursday, falling 8-1 at Target Field. Cubs outfielder Pete Crow-Armstrong showcased his All-Star potential by hitting two home runs, including a towering 425-footer that electrified the crowd. The Twins, who had won the first two games of this series, struggled offensively, with Kody Clemens being the sole bright spot, hitting a solo homer for Minnesota.

Cubs pitcher Colin Rea outperformed Twins ace Chris Paddack, allowing just three hits over seven innings, while Paddack couldn't find his rhythm, yielding runs in four of the five innings he pitched, marking his eighth loss of the season. Despite the loss, the Twins won the series 2-1 and are navigating through a challenging homestand.

The Los Angeles Dodgers faced the Milwaukee Brewers and their rising star pitcher, Jacob Misiorowski, but couldn't convert their game plan into results, culminating in a disappointing 3-1 loss. Despite a promising start with Shohei Ohtani's leadoff home run, the Dodgers struck out 12 times, failing to capitalize on opportunities and extending their losing streak to five games.

Manager Dave Roberts emphasized the need to create pressure on the inexperienced Misiorowski by working long at-bats but instead, the Dodgers were consistently retired quickly. Clayton Kershaw’s solid performance was overshadowed by the lack of offensive support, and the Brewers' bullpen effectively shut down the Dodgers after Misiorowski's departure.

As the second half of the MLB season unfolds, several top prospects are set to make their mark in 2025 redraft leagues. Notable names include Samuel Basallo, who, despite not being called up amidst an injury to Adley Rutschman, continues to showcase his elite power in Triple-A with a .264/.390/.579 line and a high barrel rate. Bubba Chandler, while initially impressive, has struggled with walk rates in recent outings, raising concerns about his promotion timeline. Conversely, Hunter Barco's exceptional K-BB rate and low ERA position him as a strong candidate for a call-up soon.

Spencer Jones, after a successful stint in Triple-A, is one to watch, though his contact issues might hinder his transition. Colby Thomas has been a standout with solid stats indicating 25/15 upside, making him a likely candidate for a call-up. Overall, stashes of these players could yield significant fantasy returns as the season progresses.

As the fantasy baseball season progresses into Week 13, several MLB prospects are emerging as potential game-changers. Players like Joshua Baez of the St. Louis Cardinals showcase impressive stats with a .319 batting average and 26 stolen bases, making him a hot waiver wire candidate. David Sandlin, a pitching prospect for the Boston Red Sox, is also turning heads with his high strikeout rate and a recent no-hitter performance. Meanwhile, Hector Rodriguez of the Cincinnati Reds is demonstrating exceptional hitting prowess, and Tink Hence shows promise as a rising star on the mound for the Cardinals.

Fantasy managers should take note of these players, as stashing them now could pay off later in the season. The combination of power, speed, and pitching finesse among these prospects indicates they are not just short-term stashes but could become key contributors in the majors sooner rather than later.

A split MLB schedule on Wednesday presents two slates for fantasy players. The afternoon slate features seven games starting at 1:05 PM ET, while the evening slate has six games, beginning at 7:10 PM ET, offering larger prizes. Pitching options are highlighted by Kris Bubic and Robbie Ray as top-tier choices, with Ray favored due to matchup and strikeout potential. Clarke Schmidt is a reliable choice for cash games. For hitters, Rafael Devers and Jarren Duran are solid targets against steady pitchers.

Consider stacking players from the Tampa Bay Rays and San Francisco Giants, as both face pitchers with recent struggles. Tampa Bay's lineup includes Josh Lowe and Brandon Lowe, while the Giants feature Heliot Ramos and Jung Hoo Lee against a weak Coors Field opponent. Specific value bats like Mike Tauchman and Brooks Lee have shown potential, making them viable options for budget-conscious players.