Rays snap a skid with a 7-4 win over Oakland at Sutter Health Park, fueled by 15 hits and a multihit showing from top to bottom. Ryan Pepiot delivered six solid frames, two hits and one run allowed before the seventh inning hiccup, and the offense busted the game open with back-to-back homers from Brandon Lowe and Junior Caminero. Pete Fairbanks closed out the win for his 20th save as Tampa Bay moved within 5½ games of the AL wild-card. The Rays also benefited from a big day at the plate from newcomers Everson Pereira and Nick Fortes, who provided a spark in Pereira’s big-league debut and Fortes’ steady presence behind the plate. The club jumped on Jeffrey Springs early, chasing him after four innings, and built a 4-0 lead before the A’s rallied. Cabrera, Morel and Diaz added productive nights while Caminero reached base four times in a complete offensive showing.

The Rays enter the series opener in Sacramento riding a three-game slide and a 14-loss stretch in 19 games, testing their ability to rebound against an Oakland squad that has found some momentum. Pepiot carries a 3.77 ERA but has posted a 5.44 mark over his last eight starts, and Tampa Bay’s bullpen edge could be pivotal late. Oakland counters with Springs, who arrives with a 2.00 ERA over his last three appearances and a real chance to clash with his former team. Brent Rooker provides a steady, power-first bat for the A’s, especially at a park favorable to homers.

The matchup also leans toward offense in certain spots: Rooker’s recent hot stretch and the A’s knack for long balls in Sutter Health Park give fantasy bettors a few clear paths to production. Still, the Rays’ bullpen depth and the possibility of early A’s success against Pepiot could swing this opener. A tight, multi-inning game with late-inning leverage awaits, making RBI-ready pulls and late-week streaming options attractive for daily fantasy lineups.

In short, expect a battle of rebound narratives: Tampa Bay trying to stem the skid behind a bullpen with the edge; Oakland riding momentum and power at home, ready to pounce on Pepiot’s home-run tendencies. Brent Rooker figures prominently for Oakland, offering dependable hits and multiple base paths, while Springs’ recent form and the A’s park-friendly environment set the stage for a series that could tilt on a few big swings late.

This Wednesday's MLB slate includes a total of 11 games divided into two segments, starting with a 12:35 PM ET matchup and followed by a 6:45 PM ET set. Focusing on the night slate, pitchers are few and far between, with George Kirby ($9,900) leading the pack against a struggling White Sox lineup. Spencer Strider presents a stark contrast in matchup difficulty against the Brewers, which could sway decisions for fantasy managers.

Among mid-tier options, Michael Wacha ($7,400) and Dustin May ($7,200) stand out, with Wacha's better performance metrics offset by a challenging matchup. For value plays, Jeffrey Springs ($6,800) has demonstrated potential with an impressive strikeout rate and favorable matchup against the Nationals. Nestor Cortes ($6,900) returns after injury, but his performance remains uncertain against the Diamondbacks.

Top hitters to watch include Brent Rooker ($5,200) and Nick Kurtz ($6,100) from the A's, while Ketel Marte ($4,500) remains an interesting choice against left-handers despite his recent struggles. The Mariners and Padres feature as strong stacking options, thanks to favorable pitching matchups and recent offensive surges, making them enticing picks for DFS players.

On July 30, the Seattle Mariners face the Oakland Athletics in Sacramento, with both teams having split their previous games in the series. Bryan Woo is slated to pitch for the Mariners, boasting an impressive 2.91 ERA this season, while Jeffrey Springs takes the mound for the Athletics, carrying a 4.13 ERA. Last night, the Athletics clinched a 6-1 victory fueled by home runs from Brent Rooker and Shea Langeliers, alongside a solid performance from Luis Severino.

The Mariners enter this game as slight favorites on the moneyline at -148, while the Athletics are positioned at +124. The total runs for the game are set at 9.0. Key betting trends suggest that the Athletics have struggled after wins, losing 26 of their last 46 games in that scenario, while their recent home games tend to stay under the total runs. On the flip side, the Mariners look to capitalize on their strong pitching and recent form for an edge in this matchup.

In the world of fantasy baseball, July is a crucial time to reassess pitching options, especially as the trade deadline looms. As teams begin to make moves, savvy fantasy players can capitalize on emerging talents. This week, several pitchers with low roster percentages are making waves in their respective leagues, making them ideal targets for waiver wire pickups.

Trevor Rogers of the Baltimore Orioles is making a case to be picked up with a solid 1.53 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 35 innings. Meanwhile, Taj Bradley of the Tampa Bay Rays has shown improved consistency with excellent groundball rates. Quinn Priester of the Milwaukee Brewers continues his stellar season, boasting a 3.33 ERA. Jeffrey Springs and Eric Lauer round out a strong list of affordable options, each capable of delivering value as we approach the final stretch of the season.