Shohei Ohtani shone on the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers, pitching two scoreless innings with impressive strikeouts, but the team's loss to the Houston Astros was marred by a shaky performance from Justin Wrobleski, who faltered after a promising start. The defeat clinches a series loss, raising concerns about the Dodgers' pitching depth. However, hope lingers with Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell nearing returns from injuries. Manager Dave Roberts spoke optimistically about the future, highlighting the potential of a strong rotation featuring Ohtani, Snell, and Glasnow.

Despite the loss, Ohtani's performance was a bright spot, striking out three batters while clocking pitches up to 101 mph. The Dodgers' offense struggled, failing in clutch situations and leaving key runners stranded. The team is still searching for stability as they navigate injuries and inconsistent pitching, but the return of big names could reshape their season.

The Dodgers faced the Astros in a tight 6-4 loss at Dodger Stadium, with starting pitcher Shohei Ohtani showcasing impressive form. He threw two scoreless innings, striking out three batters and inducing a double play. Despite Ohtani's success, the bullpen faltered, particularly Justin Wrobleski, who surrendered five runs in under five innings, leading to the defeat. On a brighter note, both Tyler Glasnow and Blake Snell showed signs of recovery from injuries, with Glasnow expected to return next week and Snell preparing for a minor-league rehab assignment.

This weekend’s games have given the Dodgers some hope regarding their pitching depth as they look towards the All-Star break. Manager Dave Roberts expressed cautious optimism about finally getting a fully operational rotation that includes Ohtani, Glasnow, and Snell alongside Yoshinobu Yamamoto, marking a significant investment in their pitching strategy over the past two offseason. Until then, the team must navigate through the continued struggles of their young pitchers.

The first quarter of the 2025 MLB season has concluded, with fantasy managers facing critical decisions as the All-Star break approaches. It's the perfect time to evaluate the waiver wire for potential upgrades to your roster. Players under 40% rostered in Yahoo! leagues are highlighted here, indicating they could provide much-needed boosts as the season progresses. Last week’s recommendations included Otto Lopez and Kyle Stowers among others.

Trevor Story has bounced back dramatically after a rough early season, showcasing strong offensive numbers, including a .347 batting average over his last 24 games. His ability to generate runs and maintain a high OPS makes him a valuable addition. Similarly, Noelvi Marte returned from injury and contributed effectively in his comeback game. Evan Carter has been on fire with a hitting streak and notable speed on the base paths. Eury Perez, a promising pitcher, could elevate any rotation with his strikeout potential, while Justin Wrobleski has shown resilience in the Dodgers’ rotation. Lastly, the recent performances of Ronny Henriquez and Grant Taylor have sparked interest as they step into pivotal roles that could translate into saves.

On this week's starting pitcher report, several pitchers are trending upwards, providing intriguing options for fantasy leagues. Yusei Kikuchi has turned his season around with a recent 2.25 ERA in June thanks to a focus on his curveball, increasing its usage from 9% to 21%. Justin Wrobleski's velocity has seen a notable uptick, averaging 96.6 mph on his fastball, along with a strategic increase in cutter use against right-handed batters. Mike Burrows is getting attention for his pitch mix shift, throwing his four-seam fastball more frequently, while maintaining solid numbers. Lastly, despite Jack Flaherty's struggles, there's potential in his curveball if he can iron out his pitch tipping issues.

In a relatively uneventful game at Kauffman Stadium, the Los Angeles Dodgers secured a decisive 5-1 win over the Kansas City Royals, clinching the weekend series. Justin Wrobleski shone on the mound, delivering six scoreless innings, allowing only three hits and one walk, while striking out six batters. This performance marks a significant improvement for Wrobleski, who has turned his season around after facing struggles earlier.

Wrobleski's recent success can be attributed to mechanical adjustments, particularly a more powerful fastball, which has increased in velocity to an average of 96-97 mph. The Dodgers' offense also contributed to the victory, highlighted by Kiké Hernández and Will Smith, who both hit home runs. The team’s confidence in Wrobleski is evident as he continues to solidify his role within the rotation.