Padres host Giants at Petco Park with Nick Pivetta taking the mound after a season of elite strikeouts and solid run prevention, while Kai-Wei Teng looks to rebound from a rough prior start against San Diego. The night opened with a three-homer charge from the San Francisco lineup—Heliot Ramos, Rafael Devers, and Wilmer Flores—spotting the Giants an early cushion that San Diego could not fully erase. The betting edge leans toward the home club, who combine recent August splits against righties with a favorable park factor that boosts their lineup’s upside in fantasy lineups and daily bets.

Fantasy angles center on Pivetta’s high strikeout ceiling (7+ Ks in six of his last eight) and Teng’s shaky form, which could yield a short leash if the innings slip again. The Padres’ offense has shown life at home and against right-handed pitching, while the Giants’ reverse splits and early power provide potential for sneaky fantasy value from Ramos, Devers, and Flores if they stay hot. The Padres are favored to win, with the -1.5 line offering a slate-ready avenue for stacking Padres bats alongside Pivetta’s punchouts.

In DFS and betting terms, target Pivetta for strikeouts and a probably clean line, and consider Padres stacks if you expect Teng to yield loud hits early. Watch for late bullpen leverage and park-driven runs, which can swing a tight game in either direction. The Padres' home prowess and San Francisco’s occasional fatigue in this venue favor a smoother Padres win and a higher-probability pass for the -1.5 play.

Padres manager Mike Shildt was ejected after arguing a fan interference review that wiped Xander Bogaerts’ would‑be homer, changing the late‑game momentum in San Diego. Bogaerts’ ball barely cleared the wall in left, Ramos almost robbed it, and the review ruled the fan’s interference negated the homer, keeping the Giants’ four‑run lead intact.

Ramos and Rafael Devers opened the scoring with solo shots for the Giants, then Wilmer Flores added a two‑run blast to cap a fast start. San Diego, riding a three‑game skid, faced a tough four‑game series against a Giants club that surged early in the clash. Bogaerts, Devers, Flores and Ramos are the fantasy storylines here, as the lineup dynamics and bullpen usage could sway the upcoming week’s projections for both clubs.

Betting on MLB player props is an exciting way to engage with the game while minimizing the unpredictable nature of team performance. This approach focuses on individual player matchups and historical data, often yielding lucrative opportunities. On August 6, several players stand out as prime candidates for home run bets, with Bo Bichette, Ketel Marte, and Bobby Witt Jr. all showcasing strong recent performances.

Bichette, hitting .300 with 15 home runs this season, faces a struggling Kyle Freeland of the Rockies, likely making him a valuable pick. Similarly, Marte's solid .287 average and 21 homers position him well against the newly acquired Nestor Cortes. Lastly, Witt Jr. holds a noteworthy batting record against Dustin May, another ideal matchup. Finally, Wilmer Flores, despite injury concerns, could cash in against Andrew Heaney if he plays.

As we approach Week 14 of the 2025 MLB season, the Cut List identifies players who may be sinking fantasy values and need to be dropped. Zach Eflin, once a promising SP for the Baltimore Orioles, has continued to struggle post-injury. With an ERA ballooning over 8 this season, it’s clear he is no longer worth a roster spot. Likewise, Wilmer Flores of the San Francisco Giants, who began the season strong, has seen his playing time diminish due to a log-jam in the Giants lineup and is no longer producing enough to stay relevant.

Meanwhile, Bryan Reynolds from the Pittsburgh Pirates remains on the hot seat but has shown signs of potential resurgence, with better quality contact since returning from paternity leave. Jung Hoo Lee is struggling to make an impact as well, but underlying metrics suggest he might turn things around soon. Lastly, Spencer Torkelson's unpredictability continues to frustrate fantasy managers, yet there’s a glimmer of hope for a strong second half like in 2023.

The Boston Red Sox secured a narrow 7-5 victory over the San Francisco Giants, with Aroldis Chapman earning a save in the ninth inning. Chapman struck out two batters swiftly but had a tense moment with Giants' Wilmer Flores after the game, stemming from a pitch clock violation. Chapman expressed frustration towards Flores for not maintaining eye contact before the pitch, which is a requirement under the rules. Flores, confused, mentioned he had no understanding of Chapman's grievances. The confrontation, albeit heated, did not escalate into a brawl, making for an intriguing end to an entertaining night of baseball.