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.

As the MLB season heats up, savvy fantasy baseball managers are keen to capitalize on the latest waiver wire pickups. Week 12 presents exciting additions like David Bednar, who has been a dominant force in June, boasting a stellar 0.56 WHIP and 15.2 K:9 ratio over 5 1/3 innings. Meanwhile, Brady House, recently promoted to the majors, is demonstrating his potential with a .364 batting average in his first three games. Additionally, players like Nick Kurtz and Evan Carter show promise as emerging talents worth considering for roster spots.

Injuries remain a concern, with star players like Corbin Carroll day-to-day and Bryce Harper still on the IL. Fantasy managers must stay vigilant, ready to make strategic moves to enhance their teams as we near the halfway mark of the season.

On the evening of June 18, 2025, the Houston Astros (42-31) are set to face off against the Oakland Athletics (30-45) in a compelling matchup featuring Framber Valdez and Luis Severino on the mound. Valdez enters the game with a solid 3.10 ERA and recent impressive outings, striking out 12 hitters in his last appearance. Severino, despite a rough season, displayed resilience with a strong performance against Kansas City, allowing only one earned run. The Astros have been hot, winning four of their last five games, making them heavy favorites in this contest.

Betting odds reflect this sentiment, placing the Astros at -162 on the moneyline with a 1.5 spread favoring them. The over/under is set at 9.0 runs, indicating potential scoring opportunities given both teams' recent offensive trends. The Athletics have notched four covers in their last five outings, hinting at competitive spirit despite their underwhelming season. Expert picks lean towards the Astros winning outright and advise considering the Athletics +1.5 with a possible over bet.

John Fisher, owner of the Oakland Athletics, is taking crucial steps to finance a new stadium in Las Vegas, indicating a major shift in the team's future. As part of this plan, he is looking to sell his other sports franchise to secure the necessary funds. Fisher has engaged Moelis & Company, a prominent investment bank, to manage the sale process, highlighting his commitment to establishing the Athletics' presence in Las Vegas.

This strategic move not only aims to bolster the financing needed for the stadium but also reflects the growing trend of team owners diversifying their investments in sporting franchises. Fisher’s actions may have significant implications for both the Athletics and the broader sports landscape.

The Boston Red Sox have made a significant move in the MLB trade market, sending designated hitter Rafael Devers to the San Francisco Giants. This decision follows a strong performance from the team, winning eight out of their last nine games, including a sweep against the New York Yankees. With their playoff hopes alive, the Red Sox are expected to continue reshaping their roster.

Among the proposed changes, NESN's Owen Crisafulli suggests acquiring Mason Miller, the closer from the Oakland Athletics. While Miller's performance has dipped this season—with a 5.33 ERA—he has shown potential with 14 saves and a strikeout rate of 43 in just 25 games. The Red Sox, who already have a solid closer in Aroldis Chapman, could use Miller in a high-leverage setup role, given Chapman's successful season with a 1.50 ERA and 13 saves. At 26 years old, Miller stands as a strong candidate for a long-term contract with the Red Sox.