Ben Brown's recent outing against the St. Louis Cardinals showcased the stark contrast of his performance as he struggled with control and execution. After an encouraging beginning, a couple of pivotal moments unraveled his game, culminating in four home runs allowed, leading to an 8-2 loss for the Cubs. Two-run blasts by Lars Nootbaar and Willson Contreras highlighted Brown's inconsistency. This marked the highest earned runs allowed by a Cubs starter since Jon Lester in 2020.

Brown acknowledged his frustration, expressing the difficulty of maintaining a consistent performance. Manager Craig Counsell emphasized the importance of growth for the young pitcher, indicating that the potential is there, but execution needs refinement. With competition for rotation spots intensifying, a demotion to Triple-A could be in Brown's near future, allowing him the opportunity to recalibrate before returning to the major leagues.

As we enter Week 13 of the 2025 MLB season, fantasy baseball managers are faced with tough decisions regarding their rosters. Bailey Ober of the Minnesota Twins has been struggling, with recent health issues contributing to a disappointing June. Although he started strong, a drop in velocity and inconsistent performance could make him a candidate for dropping in shallow leagues. Rhys Hoskins of the Brewers has decent stats but lacks positional versatility, making him less desirable for teams chasing upside.

Meanwhile, Christian Walker from the Astros, while holding steady, offers potential for better performance due to favorable park factors. Bryson Stott of the Phillies remains a hold, as he is on track to meet his pre-season projections despite a recent slump. Ozzie Albies of the Braves has not improved significantly and may need to be monitored closely, although his track record suggests he could bounce back. The article also highlights players like Marcell Ozuna and Michael Harris II, who are struggling but could still provide value moving forward.

Week 13 of the MLB season brings a host of outfield waiver wire options for fantasy baseball enthusiasts. Notable picks include Lars Nootbaar and Alec Burleson of the St. Louis Cardinals, both thriving during a seven-game week. Nootbaar showcases a strong hard-hit rate, while Burleson's recent performance includes multiple home runs and a high batting average. Jeff McNeil of the New York Mets and Victor Scott, also from the Cardinals, provide versatility and speed, respectively. In the deeper leagues, keep an eye on Jake Mangum of the Tampa Bay Rays and Luke Raley from the Seattle Mariners, both of whom offer potential upside as they re-enter their teams' lineups.

Assessing the matchups this week, teams like the Braves and Cubs are set for extended play, making their players prime streaming candidates. With six teams scheduled for seven games, maximizing plate appearances is crucial for fantasy success. Players like Matt Wallner of the Minnesota Twins and Harrison Bader present power-speed combinations, essential for fantasy rosters. As the season progresses, monitoring these emerging talents could provide significant boosts to your fantasy squad.

Heading into Week 12 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, five notable players are under scrutiny for their performance. Tyler Mahle of the Texas Rangers had an impressive start with a 1.47 ERA but has since struggled, currently on the injured list with shoulder soreness. Despite this downturn, he should be held in most leagues due to potential recovery.

Matt Shaw from the Chicago Cubs showed promise after a Triple-A stint but has recently hit a slump, suggesting a possible drop if he doesn't regain form. Lars Nootbaar of the St. Louis Cardinals has been in a significant slump and may warrant being dropped. Kansas City Royals prospect Jac Caglianone is not producing at the MLB level yet but should be held due to his strong minor league performance and potential upside.

Lastly, Matthew Liberatore of the Cardinals has seen regression, and fantasy managers should consider trading him while there's still some value, particularly after his next start. The analysis reveals a critical juncture for these players as fantasy managers weigh their options.

A unique initiative is underway in Japan as 12 active Japanese MLB players, including Los Angeles Dodgers superstar Shohei Ohtani and Chicago Cubs slugger Seiya Suzuki, will be honored with custom manhole covers starting June 16. The installations will take place at locations linked to each player's baseball roots.

Among the honorees is St. Louis Cardinals outfielder Lars Nootbaar, who represented Japan in the 2023 World Baseball Classic. Nootbaar, who has Japanese heritage, will have his cover unveiled on June 23 in Higashimatsuyama City, Saitama Prefecture. Despite a strong start to the season, Nootbaar has struggled recently, hitting just .128 in June with 15 strikeouts.