As we progress through Week 5 of the MLB season, attention turns to the top starting pitchers for fantasy baseball in 2025. Starting pitching remains a cornerstone for any successful fantasy roster, providing stability and performance week-to-week. Among the current top performers, Garrett Crochet stands out with a 2.05 ERA and strong strikeout numbers, despite some control issues highlighted by a high walk rate.

MacKenzie Gore continues to impress, showing potential for positive regression based on his metrics. Meanwhile, Michael King is emerging as a valuable asset for the Padres. Nathan Eovaldi maintains substantial fantasy value with impressive control, while Hunter Brown’s breakout performance has him seen as a long-term ace for the Astros. The landscape is filled with names capable of impacting your fantasy season, making the upcoming projections even more critical.

The upcoming MLB slate features nine games kicking off at 6:35 p.m. ET. Pitching options are limited, leading to a key decision regarding Nathan Eovaldi ($9,200), who faces a competent Athletics lineup. While Eovaldi presents a safe floor, there are more favorable alternatives. Drew Rasmussen's ($8,800) high strikeout rate against the Royals is appealing, and Cristopher Sanchez ($8,200) offers potential despite recent forearm issues. Matthew Boyd ($8,400) faces the strikeout-prone Pirates, making him an intriguing choice. For value, consider Tobias Myers ($7,200) against the White Sox.

Key hitters include Ryan O'Hearn ($4,300) who stands out in the Orioles' batting order, alongside Jarren Duran ($5,200) and Alex Bregman ($5,000) who could shine against a weak Toronto pitching staff. Willson Contreras ($3,300) is another name to watch, as he could leverage a favorable environment at Great American Ballpark. The Yankees and Cubs are both stack-worthy with their respective matchups against Cade Povich and Carmen Mlodzinski.

As we dive into today's DFS MLB lineup for DraftKings and FanDuel, expect a feast of options across a nine-game slate starting at 6:35 PM ET. The mix includes top-tier aces and intriguing value plays, with weather looking manageable, although keep an eye on a couple of games with possible rain impacts. Key pitchers include Corbin Burnes, who excels against the Mets' righties, and Nathan Eovaldi, targeting the Athletics' inconsistent lineup. Mid-tier hurlers like Matthew Boyd and Cristopher Sanchez are also solid bets, particularly given advantageous matchups.

Offensively, players like Bobby Witt Jr. and Gunnar Henderson stand out in favorable matchups, while Aaron Judge and Kyle Tucker are poised to capitalize on skittish opposing pitchers. Stacking is emphasized for GPPs, with the Yankees, Brewers, and Cubs emerging as teams to prioritize. Overall, today's slate is rich in options, offering plenty of potential for savvy fantasy players.

Jack Leiter is set to rejoin the Texas Rangers' starting rotation this Sunday after a successful rehab stint. Manager Bruce Bochy confirmed that Leiter, who threw 60 pitches during a recent Triple-A outing, will take the place of Kumar Rocker, who has been placed on the injured list due to a shoulder impingement. The Rangers expect Rocker to be sidelined for about a week to 10 days.

During Rocker's brief stint this season, he struggled with inconsistency, managing to pitch past four innings only twice out of five starts. Given his youth and experience, the Rangers are prepared to provide him with a plan for development once he is cleared to throw again. Meanwhile, Leiter's return adds depth to a Texas rotation that will also feature Nathan Eovaldi and Jacob deGrom in upcoming games.