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.

As the San Diego Padres prepare to face off against the San Francisco Giants on June 2, 2025, both teams enter with contrasting recent performances. The Padres have won five of their last seven games, including a thrilling 6-4 comeback against the Pirates. Conversely, the Giants struggle with a 2-4 record in their last six games, despite a recent win over the Marlins. Stephen Kolek is set to pitch for the Padres, showcasing a 3-1 record and a 4.11 ERA. Meanwhile, Logan Webb will take the mound for the Giants, boasting a commendable 2.82 ERA and a 5-5 record.

This matchup is critical as the Padres look to extend their winning streak at Oracle Park, where Webb has shown promise with a 3-2 home record. The betting odds favor the Giants, with a moneyline of -175 against the Padres' +146. Our analysis suggests the best betting option may be on the over for the total runs at 7.0, reflecting both teams’ potential for offensive showcases.

The 2025 fantasy baseball season is heating up as Week 7 approaches, bringing several starting pitchers into the spotlight. Shane Smith of the Chicago White Sox has been particularly impressive recently, boasting a remarkable 2.08 ERA. He showcased his potential with a stellar six-inning performance against the Miami Marlins, striking out seven without allowing any earned runs. Smith's changeup has been a standout pitch this season, holding opponents to a .143 average, while his fastball consistently generates swings and misses.

Meanwhile, Stephen Kolek of the San Diego Padres has made a splash by throwing a complete-game shutout against the Rockies, potentially solidifying his spot in the rotation amid uncertainty with Yu Darvish's return. Lastly, Lucas Giolito of the Boston Red Sox seems to be on the verge of rebounding after a shaky start to the season, culminating in his best outing yet, allowing just one unearned run over 6.2 innings. With the season's halfway mark approaching, these pitchers may be worth a look on fantasy waiver wires as managers search for valuable arms.

As the early season progresses, fantasy baseball managers must dig deeper into the waiver wire to find impactful players. Despite notable breakout talents and rookies being unavailable, players like AJ Smith-Shawver of the Braves, who recently pitched no-hit innings against the Reds, present a valuable option. His impressive strikeout potential is tempered by persistent command issues and a high walk rate.

Josh Smith of the Rangers stands out with versatile eligibility across multiple positions and a strong early-season performance, including four home runs. Stephen Kolek of the Padres is another name to watch, demonstrating potential as a starting pitcher after a solid debut in the rotation. All three players are under 40% rostered in Yahoo leagues, making them prime waiver wire targets.

As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, savvy fantasy players must dig deeper into the waiver wire for potential breakout candidates. AJ Smith-Shawver of the Atlanta Braves, coming off a near no-hitter, is showing promise despite his command issues. At just 22, he could become a reliable arm in Atlanta's rotation, particularly with an uptick in fastball effectiveness.

Josh Smith of the Texas Rangers is another player worth considering; he has shown versatility and a solid batting average, making him a valuable asset in multiple positions. Lastly, Stephen Kolek of the San Diego Padres may be an enticing option for deeper leagues after a stellar MLB debut.