The 2025 MLB season has seen significant injury challenges for fantasy baseball managers, particularly involving key players like Bryce Harper, Jackson Merrill, and Matt Chapman. Harper, batting for the Philadelphia Phillies, has been sidelined with persistent wrist inflammation stemming from previous issues, making his timeline for return uncertain. Meanwhile, Jackson Merrill, the San Diego Padres' promising center fielder, is recovering from a concussion that occurred during a recent game, with a potential return this week if he passes concussion protocols. Lastly, Matt Chapman of the San Francisco Giants is dealing with a hand injury that has interrupted what was proving to be his best season yet.

Understanding these players' injury histories is crucial for fantasy managers. Harper's chronic wrist problems raise concerns about his long-term availability, while Merrill's concussion adds another layer to his injury-plagued season. Chapman, who was enjoying a career resurgence, faces a recovery timeline that could extend into the All-Star break, making his return vital for the Giants' push in the NL West. As the season progresses, monitoring these injuries closely will be essential for fantasy lineups.

The Atlanta Braves find themselves struggling in the 2025 MLB season, with a disappointing 33-39 record, trailing the National League East by 11 games. However, they have managed to secure victories in their first two games of the series against the New York Mets. Matt Olson has been a key player for the Braves, contributing with an RBI in both games and totaling six over his last five games. This trend aligns with betting insights suggesting that Olson is a strong candidate for the Over 0.5 RBI prop for Thursday's game.

In addition, the model has highlighted several promising player prop bets for Thursday, including Pete Alonso, who, despite a recent slump, leads the league with 63 RBIs and boasts a strong history against the Braves' probable starter, Spencer Strider. Manny Machado also stands out with a favorable matchup and a solid RBI tally in previous games. With the Braves' recent improvements and the betting odds favoring Olson, fans and bettors alike should keep a close eye on these player performances as the season progresses.

The rivalry between the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres is escalating, particularly after recent events where Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages was hit by a pitch, prompting retaliation against Fernando Tatis Jr. The Dodgers followed suit by plunking Tatis, while Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers faced a similar fate. This tension is ignited by the stakes of the National League West.

Despite the brewing animosity, Ohtani took to social media with a seemingly light-hearted post, leading to speculation about his intent—was he mocking the Padres’ pitcher or trying to diffuse the tension? Regardless, Ohtani’s focus remains on his recovery from injury and pursuit of another MVP title, currently boasting impressive stats with a .296 batting average and 25 home runs. Expect more fireworks in this heated rivalry across Southern California.

Andy Pages of the Los Angeles Dodgers has ignited a fierce rivalry with the San Diego Padres, following a heated incident involving a fastball thrown by Dylan Cease during a recent game. Pages, who had been performing well, was hit by a hard pitch, prompting his ire and sparking tensions between the teams. After the game, he implied the pitch was intentional, possibly due to accusations of sign-stealing. In a remarkable response, Pages went on to have an explosive game, going 4-for-4 with two homers and three RBIs.

As the Dodgers and Padres battle for supremacy in the NL West, with the Dodgers leading by five games, this rivalry adds intrigue to their matchup. The Dodgers' strong performance, highlighted by Pages' breakout game, showcases their depth and resilience. Pages' current stats reflect his significant contribution to the team, making him a player to watch in the coming games.

The Los Angeles Dodgers continue their series against the San Diego Padres, with the Dodgers winning the first two games. Manager Dave Roberts was ejected after a heated game, which saw three players hit. On Wednesday, Emmet Sheehan makes his return after Tommy John surgery, facing San Diego’s Stephen Kolek. Sportsbooks have set Kolek’s strikeout prop at 3.5, with projections favoring the over. The model rates two other strikeout props highly, including Tarik Skubal’s under 8.5 line against the Pirates, which he has achieved in 9 of 14 starts this season, and Ryan Yarbrough's under 4.5 against the Angels, who strike out infrequently against lefties.