Thursday's MLB slate is packed with 16 games, divided between day and night. FanDuel has opted for the night games as the main slate, which features key pitchers and hitters. Cristopher Sánchez of the Philadelphia Phillies stands out with a solid 3.29 ERA and a remarkable 23+ FanDuel points in 13 of his 14 starts this season. He faces a struggling Miami lineup, enhancing his fantasy appeal.

Another pitcher to consider is Drew Rasmussen from Tampa Bay, boasting a 2.55 ERA. He’s consistently limited scoring opportunities and should perform well against the Baltimore Orioles. Among hitters, Jeremy Peña of the Houston Astros is a must-start with impressive stats against left-handed pitchers. Brent Rooker from Oakland and Jonathan Aranda of Tampa Bay also present great value picks. Lastly, stacking the Los Angeles Dodgers against a rookie pitcher could yield significant returns, especially with Shohei Ohtani leading the charge.

Returning from Tommy John surgery isn’t always as smooth as anticipated. While players often regain their pre-injury form eventually, the initial recovery can be turbulent. Sandy Alcantara and Felix Bautista have faced significant struggles, while Shane McClanahan hasn’t returned to the mound yet. Emerging talents like Emmet Sheehan, however, showed promise in his recent debut, dominating with six strikeouts in just four innings against the Padres. His fastball velocity remained consistent, and he even showcased an improved changeup. Despite this encouraging performance, caution is advised as the Dodgers will monitor his workload. In deeper leagues, he might be worth a bench spot for his potential upside.

Additionally, players like Chase Burns and Nick Kurtz are making waves in the minors, suggesting they could be impactful additions to rosters soon. Jo Adell is also heating up, hitting his 12th home run since May. For now, seeking these emerging players is a smart strategy as the season progresses.

The Tampa Bay Rays are reportedly in advanced negotiations to sell the team to a group led by Patrick Zalupski, a Jacksonville real estate developer. Meanwhile, Arkansas pitcher Gage Wood made history with a no-hitter in the College World Series, expressing determination to continue their journey. The San Francisco Giants made a significant move by acquiring All-Star Rafael Devers to strengthen their lineup. Additionally, Shohei Ohtani is set to return to the mound for the Los Angeles Dodgers against the San Diego Padres, marking a crucial comeback for the two-way star.

Other notable highlights include Denzel Clarke’s outstanding catch for the Oakland Athletics, which showcased his defensive prowess. The New York Yankees' Aaron Judge hit a powerful homer right as Hunter Dobbins of the Boston Red Sox took a jab at the team. On the injury front, the Minnesota Twins announced that Pablo Lopez would miss 8 to 12 weeks due to a shoulder strain, impacting their pitching depth. Lastly, Mike Trout has returned from injury, hitting a dramatic home run over the Green Monster, signifying a strong comeback.

The Tampa Bay Rays are on an impressive winning streak, shaking off a sluggish start to climb into the top ten of MLB's Power Rankings. Manager Kevin Cash is clearly pleased with the resurgence, particularly from pitcher Drew Rasmussen, who has taken on the role of the team's ace. With a 6-4 record and an impressive 2.55 ERA, Rasmussen has been instrumental in the Rays' success. Meanwhile, Jonathan Aranda is also making waves with a .323 batting average, eight home runs, and 39 RBIs, far surpassing his career average. This renewed offensive prowess comes despite significant injuries to their outfield. Currently sitting at 40-33 and in second place in the AL East, the Rays are hoping to capitalize on their home series against the Baltimore Orioles to improve their ranking further.

The Baltimore Orioles' season took a disastrous turn as they suffered a crushing 12-8 defeat to the Tampa Bay Rays, despite holding an 8-0 lead in the second inning. This marked a significant setback for a team that had playoff aspirations after a strong 101-win season two years ago. The loss tied a Rays record for the largest comeback, with the Orioles notably blowing their biggest lead since 2017. After a brief resurgence with a six-game winning streak, the Orioles now face a precarious situation with their playoff odds hovering around 8% and major pitching issues looming.