As the Seattle Mariners (20-13) prepare to face the Oakland Athletics (19-16) tonight, the pitching matchup sparks interest. Bryce Miller, with a 3.52 ERA, takes the mound for Seattle, while Luis Severino, boasting a commendable 3.30 ERA, will pitch for Oakland. Both teams come off a series of mixed performances; Seattle’s recent six-game winning streak was halted by an 8-1 loss to Texas, while Oakland returned from a successful road trip against the Marlins and Rangers.

The Mariners are slight favorites with current odds listing them at -114 on the moneyline. The Athletics, gaining momentum with 5 wins from their last 7 games, are just behind at -105. With the game total set at 9 runs, analysts expect a closely contested matchup.

Recent trends show that the Mariners have been strong on the road, yet they've struggled against the Athletics, failing to cover in their last three meetings. Tonight’s game is crucial for both teams, not only for the standings but also for fantasy managers scouting for promising performance metrics in their rosters.

Austin Wells debuted his signature burrito at Yankee Stadium and made an instant impact by hitting a go-ahead home run, but the Tampa Bay Rays mounted a comeback to win 3-2. The Yankees led 2-1 going into the eighth inning, but a leadoff single and subsequent double steal helped the Rays score two runs, taking the lead. Aaron Judge, who homered earlier, failed to capitalize in the eighth with runners on base, grounding out to end the inning.

Despite the loss, Wells' performance and burrito launch garnered attention. The Yankees pushed Clarke Schmidt's start to Tuesday due to soreness, and Ryan Yarbrough stepped in, allowing only one run in four innings. The Yankees look to rebound against the Rays on Sunday with Will Warren on the mound.

The Chicago Cubs have shown promise early in the season, but for a successful postseason run, they must make strategic moves by the trade deadline. With a top-ranked farm system, they possess the necessary assets to acquire key players, including a dominant starter or a star hitter. One suggested target is Jhoan Duran, the Minnesota Twins' right-handed closer, known for his impressive fastball and outstanding splitter, currently boasting a 1.46 ERA. Given the Twins' struggles, moving Duran could be a viable option for them, making him a prime candidate for the Cubs to pursue to bolster their bullpen.

Duran's capabilities as a closer would fill a significant gap for the Cubs, who have lacked a fireballer in the bullpen. The Twins might be inclined to entertain trade offers, especially with Duran being arbitration-eligible only through 2026, allowing the Cubs to leverage their farm system effectively.

As the Milwaukee Brewers face off against the Chicago White Sox, both teams are looking to shake up their seasons. The Brewers enter the game with a balanced record of 15-15, while the White Sox have struggled, sitting at 7-22. In a recent matchup, the Brewers secured a dominating 7-2 victory, propelled by Freddy Peralta, who pitched six solid innings allowing just two runs. Today's game sees Tobias Myers taking the mound for Milwaukee, while Shane Smith represents Chicago. Myers has a 4.50 ERA, and his recent outing was a mixed bag, with four walks in just four innings pitched. In contrast, Smith has been impressive with a 2.31 ERA and his last outing saw him throw five scoreless innings against the Twins.

The betting odds reflect the Brewers' current form and recent success against the White Sox, having won seven straight matchups. The moneyline favors Milwaukee (-163), with a spread of Brewers -1.5, and an over-under set at 7.0 runs. Key betting trends suggest that five of the last seven encounters have gone over the total, and the White Sox have covered in four of their last five games, making this matchup intriguing for bettors looking for value. Predictive modeling tools favor betting on the Brewers to win, while also leaning towards an over on the runs total. The matchup promises to be an exciting clash as both teams vie for momentum.

As the 2025 MLB season progresses into Week 5, injury woes have become a significant concern for fantasy managers. Key players like Ezequiel Tovar, Jackson Merrill, and Royce Lewis are currently on the injured list, prompting speculation about their return timelines.

Tovar, the Rockies' shortstop, is dealing with a left hip contusion and, despite initial optimism for a swift return, may need more time due to ongoing issues with fielding. His batting metrics suggest he could bounce back strongly once healthy, but for now, backup options like Kyle Farmer will need to fill the gap.

Meanwhile, the Padres' outfielder Merrill, who started the season with an impressive .378 average, is recovering from a right hamstring strain. Recent reports indicate he is making progress, taking live batting practice with hopes for a rehab stint soon. His return could reinvigorate the Padres' offense, as he was projected to be a strong contributor before his injury.

Lewis of the Twins is also on the mend after a hamstring strain sustained in spring training. However, he has shown positive signs in his rehab games and is expected to rejoin the lineup shortly, potentially offering a solid option at third base for fantasy owners.