Thursday brings a mix of MLB action for daily fantasy sports enthusiasts, with a split schedule featuring both afternoon and evening games. Key pitchers to target include Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who has displayed dominant form with a 2.39 ERA and a recent shutout performance against the Dodgers. Matthew Liberatore from the St. Louis Cardinals is another solid choice against a struggling Cincinnati Reds lineup. In the evening, Casey Mize from the Detroit Tigers stands out with his impressive 2.12 ERA and a matchup against the underperforming Angels. Justin Verlander, despite his winless start, has shown improvement recently and could be a value play against the Rockies.

Infielders to consider for the early slate include Elly De La Cruz of the Reds, who has been hot at the plate, and Edouard Julien of the Minnesota Twins, benefiting from a favorable matchup. For the night slate, Rafael Devers of the Boston Red Sox is heating up and can exploit his matchup against Jose Berrios. Bo Bichette from the Toronto Blue Jays is also an intriguing option against Tanner Houck.

The outfield offers elite plays like George Springer of the Blue Jays and value options such as Oneil Cruz from the Pirates, who has shown explosive potential. Stacking the Minnesota Twins in the early slate and the Toronto Blue Jays in the evening could maximize scoring potential. Monitoring weather updates and lineup changes will be crucial for optimizing your DFS entries today.

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a challenging offensive slump, but there's optimism surrounding Bo Bichette as a key player to back in their matchup against the Boston Red Sox. Bichette has been underperforming relative to his stellar metrics, making his over 1.5 bases prop bet a prime opportunity. His aggressive approach at the plate, marked by a low walk rate and high contact level, suggests he could break out against Red Sox starter Lucas Giolito, who struggled with a high home run rate in the past. On the opposing side, betting on Alex Bregman and Kristian Campbell to each get a hit presents favorable odds, especially considering Bregman's current hitting streak.

With the MLB season progressing, a fresh crop of free agents is emerging that fantasy players should monitor closely. Key pitchers like Brayan Bello of the Boston Red Sox, who recently debuted with promise, and Logan Evans of the Seattle Mariners, whose Triple-A success could translate into a strong major league performance, are notable targets. Those looking for a reliable veteran can consider Kyle Gibson, who might join the Orioles' rotation, while Lucas Giolito's return from injury presents a gamble worth taking. Newcomers like Emerson Hancock and Gunnar Hoglund could offer value as they solidify their roles amidst injury waves affecting their respective teams.

In terms of hitting, Ryan Jeffers is stepping up for the Minnesota Twins, potentially becoming a starting catcher as the season progresses. Other players like Bobby Dalbec, despite his high strikeout rate, could provide counting stats if given consistent playing time. Keep an eye on prospects like Nick Kurtz from the Athletics, who could add pop to your lineup as he finds his footing in the majors. This week’s FAAB provides numerous names that could shift the fantasy landscape.

The Toronto Blue Jays are facing a daunting challenge as they attempt to reverse a troubling five-game losing streak, worsened by recent poor performances against the Seattle Mariners and Houston Astros. Despite having Daulton Varsho returning from injury, the team struggles with an alarming lack of power at the plate, mirroring a prolonged issue that has persisted for three seasons. The general manager's earlier comments regarding the team's power output have become infamous, highlighting the disconnect between the front office and fans who clearly see the urgent need for more home runs.

Last season, the Blue Jays ranked near the bottom in home runs and runs scored among MLB teams, emphasizing the connection between power hitting and success. Varsho, once a promising slugger for the Arizona Diamondbacks, has yet to replicate his past performance in Toronto, casting doubt on his ability to provide the necessary boost for the struggling offense. With the season still early, key players like Anthony Santander, Bo Bichette, and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. must step up to revitalize a lineup that has fallen flat.

Rowdy Tellez and Randy Arozarena played pivotal roles in the Seattle Mariners' thrilling 8-4 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays, clinching the win in 12 innings. Arozarena's bases-loaded single set the stage for Tellez's two-out grand slam, showcasing the Mariners' power at crucial moments. The Mariners managed to equal the series, stopping Toronto's three-game win streak, with notable performances from Andres Munoz, who secured the win with a shutout inning.

Toronto's pitching saw Jose Berrios struggle despite a solid outing, while Seattle's Logan Gilbert faced challenges early on. The game dynamics shifted with significant hits from players like Bo Bichette and newcomer Andres Gimenez, who showcased their hitting prowess throughout the match. As the teams prepare for the series finale, the Mariners aim to build on this momentum, while the Blue Jays seek to rebound and regain their winning form.