On July 3, the Milwaukee Brewers (48-38) face off against the New York Mets (49-38) in the final game of a tightly contested three-game series. Jose Quintana takes the mound for the Brewers while David Peterson is set to start for the Mets. The teams split a doubleheader on Wednesday, with the Brewers winning 7-2 in Game 1, thanks to an impressive pitching performance by Freddy Peralta, and the Mets bouncing back with a 7-3 victory in Game 2, highlighted by Blade Tidwell earning his first career win.

Both teams are looking to build momentum as they head into the second half of the season. Betting lines show the Mets as favorites at -155, while the total runs are set at 8.0. Recent trends suggest that the Brewers have won five of their last six road games, and the Mets' last five outings have exceeded the total runs. Players to watch include Quintana, who has a 3.30 ERA this season, and Lindor, who has been struggling at the plate recently.

As the MLB season approaches the All-Star break, savvy fantasy baseball players are looking to bolster their rosters with under-the-radar hitters. This week, several players have emerged as strong candidates for waivers, offering potential boosts in critical categories like runs, home runs, RBIs, stolen bases, and batting average.

Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers, rostered in just 36% of leagues, continues to shine at the plate, boasting a .311 average with three home runs and 18 runs scored recently. Caleb Durbin of the Brewers is another name to watch, hitting .296 with three homers and 18 runs in June. Meanwhile, Ramon Laureano has returned to form with the Orioles, hitting .312 with four home runs and leading in runs scored.

For power hitters, Kyle Stowers of the Marlins is on the rise, hitting three home runs in the last week of June, while Gary Sanchez is making a significant impact for the Orioles as well, providing solid numbers despite limited playing time. Lastly, Otto Lopez is leading the NL in RBIs this month, making him a must-roster player. As the season progresses, these players could be the difference-makers for fantasy teams.

Week 14 of fantasy baseball introduces several undervalued players primed for roster spots. Alejandro Kirk, the Toronto Blue Jays' catcher, is proving his worth with a .306 average, 39 RBIs, and an impressive .429 OBP over his last week of games. Ceddanne Rafaela of the Boston Red Sox has shown significant improvement, lowering his strikeout rate and contributing with a .305 average this season. Nathaniel Lowe, now with the Washington Nationals, is heating up with 27 home runs projected this season, enhancing his value despite a slump in previous years.

Sal Frelick, an emerging star for the Milwaukee Brewers, is showcasing impressive plate discipline while maintaining a solid .300 batting average. Lastly, Trevor Story is making a comeback for the Red Sox, hitting well lately, giving deeper leagues a potential boost. These players represent great opportunities for managers looking to boost their lineups.

The New York Mets secured a much-needed 7-3 victory against the Milwaukee Brewers, snapping a four-game losing streak. Key offensive performances included Brandon Nimmo's grand slam and Francisco Lindor's solo home run, both in the second inning. Rookie pitcher Jacob Misiorowski, who previously excelled with a low earned run average, struggled against the Mets, allowing five runs in 3.2 innings. Nimmo praised Misiorowski's impressive slider, drawing a comparison to former teammate Jacob deGrom, and highlighted the importance of capitalizing on scoring opportunities early in the game.

With this win, the Mets are just two games behind the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East race, putting them in a solid position as they prepare for a rubber match with the Brewers and a weekend series against the New York Yankees.

Brandon Woodruff's long-awaited return to the Milwaukee Brewers is just around the corner. With anticipation building, Brewers manager Pat Murphy announced that Woodruff is set to be activated and start against the Miami Marlins on Sunday, marking his first major league appearance in 652 days. Fans and teammates alike have been eagerly awaiting this moment, particularly Freddy Peralta, who regards Woodruff as both a close friend and a mentor. Peralta recently showcased his own prowess against the New York Mets, allowing just two runs over six innings during a doubleheader, a performance that only adds to the growing excitement surrounding Woodruff's comeback.

The reunion of Woodruff and Peralta at the top of the Brewers’ rotation is seen as a significant boost for the team. Together, they established themselves as a formidable duo in previous seasons, with Peralta posting a 3.41 ERA since becoming a permanent starter and Woodruff maintaining an impressive 2.70 ERA during the same period. This dynamic pairing promises to enhance the Brewers' chances as they approach the critical juncture of the season.