James Wood is making headlines as he takes his first day off after 174 consecutive games with the Washington Nationals. This break comes ahead of the Home Run Derby, where Wood will attempt to showcase his power and win the crown on a grand stage in Atlanta. His consistent presence in the lineup has been a remarkable feat, and the Nationals are ensuring he is well-prepared for the Derby, even arranging a chartered flight for him and fellow All-Star MacKenzie Gore.

As fantasy baseball enthusiasts gear up for today's 11-game slate, several standout players emerge as top picks on both DraftKings and FanDuel. Kris Bubic of Kansas City is highlighted as a strong cash play against Pittsburgh, who struggles against left-handed pitchers. MacKenzie Gore, recovering from earlier struggles, takes on St. Louis, which has shown poor performance against lefties recently. Lucas Giolito is also a recommended choice as he faces a struggling Colorado lineup.

In the infield, Texas' Corey Seager continues to thrive, recently hitting home runs and proving to be a formidable opponent against right-handers. Meanwhile, Oakland's Nick Kurtz is notable for his power display, making him a compelling addition for stacking. The outfield features Boston's Wilyer Abreu, who excels against weak right-handed pitching.

The Detroit Tigers faced a rainout in their scheduled matchup against the Washington Nationals, leaving fans disappointed. Jack Flaherty, who was slated to pitch, has struggled this season with a 5-9 record and a 4.80 ERA. His cryptic social media post stirred excitement among fans, as he posted a GIF of Russell Westbrook, hinting at a strong performance. Following several shaky outings, Flaherty needs a strong showing in the upcoming doubleheader to regain confidence from both the fans and the team. The Tigers are in a competitive trade landscape, and Flaherty's performance could be pivotal.

Today's MLB slate presents a range of strikeout options as we analyze pitchers and their matchups. Zack Wheeler, who has excelled with a 32.9% strikeout rate against a Houston lineup that ranks 10th in strikeouts, stands out. Meanwhile, MacKenzie Gore faces the San Diego Padres, another tough opponent, but boasts a 32.3% K rate. Notably, Jacob deGrom, with a 25.7% strikeout rate, is up against the Baltimore Orioles, who rank 27th. A three-leg strikeout parlay featuring Jacob Misiorowski, Yoshinobu Yamamoto, and Jacob deGrom is suggested at +160 odds.

Analyzing the matchups further highlights that while high-strikeout pitchers like Wheeler and Gore are appealing, targeting weaker offenses could yield better results. The betting strategy emphasizes smart selections based on each pitcher's recent performance and their opponents' strikeout tendencies.

The Washington Nationals (33-47) faced the San Diego Padres (43-36) on June 25, 2025, with MacKenzie Gore starting for Washington against San Diego's Nick Pivetta. In a tightly contested game, the Padres edged out the Nationals with a final score of 4-3, thanks to Gavin Sheets scoring in the sixth inning after a timely ground-out by Jose Iglesias.

As the two teams clashed at Petco Park, the game showcased several betting trends worth noting. The Padres have a solid record at home against teams with losing records, winning 4 of their last 5 such matchups. The Nationals, however, are showing signs of life, covering the spread in 4 of their last 5 games. Expert analysts suggest leaning towards the Padres for the moneyline, while a bet on the over for the total runs scored is also advised.