The Oakland Athletics (35-52) face off against the Tampa Bay Rays (47-38) on July 1, 2025, in a matchup featuring starters Jeffrey Springs and Shane Baz. The Athletics took game one of the series, showcasing a strong performance highlighted by a triple from Lawrence Butler, leading to a 6-4 victory with contributions from Max Muncy and Max Schuemann.

As the teams prepare for the next game, insights on player performances and odds reveal the Rays' recent success, winning 8 of their last 9 games when Baz is on the mound, despite his elevated ERA at home. Betting trends suggest that while the Athletics are underdogs, they could cover the spread, indicating potential value for savvy bettors.

As we enter Week 14 of the fantasy baseball season, four sleeper hitters have emerged as players to watch: Nick Kurtz, Josh Lowe, Agustin Ramirez, and Cam Smith. Each rookie brings unique skills and recent success, making them potential breakout candidates. Kurtz’s power displays a promising home run/fly ball rate, though his high strikeout rate may raise concerns. Lowe, back from injury, has significantly improved his strikeout rate, boosting his offensive contribution for the Tampa Bay Rays. Ramirez has been a key player for the Miami Marlins, showcasing a strong slugging performance, while Smith of the Astros adds to the lineup’s depth amidst recent injuries.

As we hit Week 14 of the fantasy baseball season, several starting pitchers have emerged as intriguing waiver wire pickups. Jacob Lopez from the Athletics has dramatically turned his season around, boasting a remarkable 0.39 ERA over his last four outings. Utilizing his slider and changeup more effectively has contributed to this success.

Kumar Rocker of the Texas Rangers, previously a highly-rated prospect, has begun to show his potential with a solid 2.20 ERA in his last three starts but still has work to do on his other pitches. Mike Soroka, now with the Nationals, has also found a rhythm, posting a 3.49 ERA since June 1 as he focuses on improving his changeup.

Eric Lauer of the Blue Jays has revitalized his career after a rough past, sporting a 3.32 ERA across four recent starts. Lastly, Quinn Priester’s impressive performance with a 2.30 ERA since joining the Brewers makes him another must-watch player. Fantasy managers should consider these pitchers as viable options for bolstering their rosters.

Three intriguing MLB prospects on the rise are Moisés Ballesteros, Kristian Campbell, and Colby Thomas, all of whom could provide significant boosts to fantasy baseball teams. Stashing the right player at the right time can be crucial, especially during the second half of the season.

Moisés Ballesteros, a catcher for the Chicago Cubs, has impressed in the minors, hitting .329 with 8 home runs at Triple-A. With an opportunity for promotion, he could soon fill a void in the Cubs' lineup.

Kristian Campbell of the Boston Red Sox started strong in the majors but has seen a downturn recently. Despite struggling, he still has tremendous upside and could be worth stashing for the second half of the season.

Lastly, Colby Thomas, an outfielder for the Oakland Athletics, has showcased strong hitting skills and is a power threat at the plate. With his recent promotion to the majors, he could be a valuable addition to fantasy rosters.

On June 30, the struggling Oakland Athletics (34-52) face the Tampa Bay Rays (47-37) in an AL matchup at George M. Steinbrenner Field, with Jacob Lopez pitching for the Athletics and Drew Rasmussen for the Rays. Tampa Bay is currently riding a wave of momentum, winning six of their last ten games and sitting just 1.5 games behind the Yankees in the AL East. Analysis of the matchup reveals key betting insights, recent team performances, and player statistics, all crucial for fantasy sports enthusiasts and bettors.

The current odds favor the Rays at -187 on the moneyline, with the Athletics sitting at +155. The spread is set at Rays -1.5, and the total runs are pegged at 8.0. Notably, the Rays have been dominant at home against Oakland, winning five of the last six meetings. As for pitching, Rasmussen boasts a strong 2.46 ERA compared to Lopez’s 3.56. This pitching matchup could play a significant role in the game outcome.