San Diego rode a timely seventh-inning strike to a 4-1 victory over San Francisco, with Jake Cronenworth delivering the go-ahead RBI and Freddy Fermin launching a two-run shot to pad the cushion. The win keeps the Padres rolling, five wins in their last six, and solidifies their hold on a healthy second place in the NL West. San Diego will send Nestor Cortes to the mound, still shaking off rust after his deadline swap, while the Giants counter with Robbie Ray, who has shown elite form but has begun to show wear as the season wears on.

Machado continues to be a central figure for the offense, highlighted by a recent surge that includes a .491 slugging percentage and a .297 average. The Padres’ attack has clicked to the tune of .277/.367/.407 over the last 14 games, and their bullpen has maintained its top-tier status since the trade deadline. Oracle Park’s dimensions favor both sides at times, but the Padres have leaned on gap power and bullish plate appearances to manufacture runs, while the Giants have struggled at home after recent travel and rest.

Looking ahead, the matchup leans Padres with Cortes still finding his footing and Ray navigating fatigue. The betting angle—Padres at even money on the run line in a tighter home-hitter park—reflects belief in San Diego’s offense and bullpen, even as San Francisco tries to slow the surge. Expect Cronenworth and Machado to be central, with Fermin contributing more when the lineup rotates through the order. The Padres’ recent surge makes them a compelling value in back-to-back contests.

As the MLB season progresses, fantasy players should keep a close eye on lineup strategies for the upcoming games. Quinn Priester of the Milwaukee Brewers, priced at $9,900, has shown consistent performance with a 3.27 ERA over 107.1 innings, making him a strong DFS option. Similarly, Yusei Kikuchi at $9,000 has excelled at home for the Los Angeles Angels, boasting a 2.48 ERA. Sean Manaea of the New York Mets also stands out with a 2.08 ERA and 11.42 K/9 rate.

When considering offense, Ketel Marte ($3,800) has an impressive OPS over 1.000 against right-handed pitchers, making him a prime target. Trevor Story ($3,300) is also on a hot streak with 18 homers and an OPS of .839 in his last three weeks. For budget options, Andy Pages ($3,000) and Jake Cronenworth ($2,900) provide solid value against struggling pitchers.

For team stacks, the Blue Jays against Tanner Gordon of the Rockies and the Reds versus Michael Soroka of the Cubs are compelling choices. Notable players from these matchups include Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Elly De La Cruz, who can capitalize on favorable pitching matchups.

The San Diego Padres are gearing up for a pivotal MLB trade deadline, with a focus on enhancing their roster. General Manager A.J. Preller is expected to pursue significant upgrades, potentially targeting a catcher, left fielder, bullpen help, or even a starting pitcher. However, changes may not be limited to new acquisitions; the Padres could also trade away existing players to better fit their needs. A recent trend in MLB involves teams both buying and selling at the deadline, and the Padres may follow suit by offloading veterans.

Writer Dennis Lin of The Athletic suggests three players who could be moved: Dylan Cease, Robert Suarez, and Jake Cronenworth. While Cease and Suarez are set to hit free agency and could bring a substantial return, Cronenworth's partial no-trade clause complicates things. He remains a valuable asset for the Padres, drawing interest from other teams, despite his ability to block certain trades. The Padres face the reality of potentially losing talent while still being buyers at the deadline, raising the stakes for both sides of the transaction.

The New York Mets have made a bold move in the MLB Draft by selecting Mitch Voit, a two-way talent from Michigan, with their first pick. Voit, a second baseman and pitcher, was signed for $1.75 million, under his slot value of $2.569 million. Comparisons have already been drawn to Jake Cronenworth of the Padres, highlighting Voit's impressive ability as a hitter and pitcher. The Mets are not restricting Voit to just one position, indicating they value his versatility. This decision opens up multiple paths for Voit, potentially increasing his chances of success in the majors.