On this action-packed Sunday, the MLB DFS landscape offers a compelling eight-game slate. With the reigning NL Cy Young winner Chris Sale on the mound for the Atlanta Braves against the Pittsburgh Pirates, Sale is positioned for a bounce-back performance after a rough start to the season.

Key players to consider include Drew Rasmussen, who faces the Milwaukee Brewers, and MacKenzie Gore, set to pitch against the St. Louis Cardinals. Both have showcased impressive strikeout potential and could be valuable assets in your lineup. Infielders such as Matt Olson and Luis Garcia Jr. are also highlighted for their favorable matchups, while outfield selections like James Wood and Jesus Sanchez stand out based on their recent hitting streaks.

Stacking options such as the Braves, Nationals, and Marlins provide intriguing opportunities, especially against struggling pitchers. The Braves' matchup against Carmen Mlodzinski, who has a high ERA, further bolsters their appeal as a target. With careful monitoring of starting lineups and player injuries, fantasy enthusiasts can find strategic ways to optimize their lineups on DraftKings and FanDuel.

As the 2025 MLB season progresses, identifying two-start pitchers becomes crucial for fantasy baseball success. This week, Max Fried stands out for the Yankees with a stellar 1.05 ERA, making him a must-start. Meanwhile, Michael Wacha’s favorable matchups against the Astros and Cardinals make him a solid play as well.

Shane Baz and Tyler Mahle present more risky options, though they could offer significant upside. In particular, Mahle’s matchup against the Rockies is enticing. The same applies to players like Hayden Wesneski and José Berríos, who are also in decent form but come with some uncertainties.

In a tightly contested matchup, the Philadelphia Phillies will face the Tampa Bay Rays as Cristopher Sánchez takes the mound against Shane Baz. Philadelphia is coming off a solid 8-4 victory in Game 1 of the series, supported by a powerful offense showcasing three home runs and an impressive performance by Zack Wheeler. The Phillies have found their stride with a 5-1 record in Sánchez's starts, while the Rays are close behind at 4-2 with Baz on the hill.

Betting trends indicate the Phillies are favored at -131, while the Rays are at +110, with a spread leaning towards Tampa Bay at +1.5. The total for the game is set at 8 runs, and expert predictions suggest that betting the over might be a smart move based on the teams' recent offensive outputs. The game is anticipated to be an exciting contest as both teams look to secure victory.

This week’s waiver wire pickups spotlight starting pitchers whose roster rates are below 50% in Yahoo! leagues, with some intriguing additions for deeper leagues as well. Tanner Houck of the Boston Red Sox (44% rostered) has regained his sinker, showing promise with a seven-inning performance. The veteran Justin Verlander (35% rostered) remains a viable option with smart matchup selections despite diminished velocity.

Michael Wacha (34% rostered) is quietly effective with consistent outings, while Tony Gonsolin (34% rostered) offers upside following a successful return. Brayan Bello (32% rostered) is worth a second look, boasting impressive ratios this season. In deeper leagues, Matthew Liberatore (29% rostered) and Colin Rea (25% rostered) are low-risk options to consider. Hunter Dobbins (22% rostered) also shines with a strong showing in his first starts.

Shane Baz's recent outing, where he gave up seven runs, highlights a troubling trend for the young pitcher, challenging the notion of his breakout performance. His impressive strikeout rate was not supported by key underlying metrics.

Despite previously throwing over half his pitches in the strike zone, Baz struggled to induce swings and misses, leading to a significant drop in effectiveness. His recent start showcased a concerning inability to command the zone and generate strikeouts, raising doubts about his fantasy value moving forward.