On June 18, the Colorado Rockies (16-57) face off against the Washington Nationals (30-43) at Nationals Park. Recently, the Rockies displayed a power surge, setting a franchise record with seven home runs in a 10-6 victory over the Nationals, marking their third consecutive win while Washington continues to struggle, now on a 10-game losing streak. Rockies pitcher Germán Márquez, despite a rocky season with a 6.62 ERA, has shown flashes of brilliance, and the Nationals will look to Mitchell Parker, who has a 4.84 ERA but struggled in his last outing, allowing six earned runs. The odds favor the Nationals slightly on the moneyline, and with both teams' current form, the over of 9 total runs seems enticing.

As the Braves face the Nationals, Spencer Strider takes the mound for his first start since April 16. Strider, with a 3.60 ERA, aims to build on his previous performance against the Nationals, while Mitchell Parker of Washington, sporting a 4.32 ERA, struggles after a tough outing in Atlanta. Both teams enter this matchup following a series of strong performances—Atlanta clinched a series win at Fenway, while the Nationals swept the Orioles with a powerful offensive display.

The current odds favor the Braves at -188 with a projected total of 8 runs. Leading hitters include Austin Riley for Atlanta, who has been on fire, hitting in seven of his last eight games. For Washington, Dylan Crews seems to be in a slump and will need to step up to support Parker on the mound.

On Wednesday, May 14, the Washington Nationals face off against the Atlanta Braves, with each team positioned differently in the standings. The Braves lead the series 2-0 after securing a 5-2 victory in Game 2, showcasing their recent form with three wins in four games. In contrast, the Nationals are struggling, having lost seven consecutive games. This matchup features the Nationals' Mitchell Parker (3-3, 3.97 ERA) against the Braves' Bryce Elder (2-2, 4.97 ERA). Despite the odds favoring the Braves, there is speculation about the likelihood of the Nationals avoiding a sweep. The game is set to be aired on MASN and FDSN, beginning at 7:15 PM EST.

As we enter Week 5 of the 2025 MLB season, it's time for fantasy baseball managers to reassess their rosters and consider potential waiver wire additions to gain a competitive edge. Notably, pitchers available in less than 50% of leagues present high upside options for points leagues.

Andrew Abbott of the Cincinnati Reds, rostered in 49% of leagues, has been impressive since returning from a shoulder injury, boasting a 1.64 ERA over 10 innings pitched. His pitch arsenal, particularly his changeup, shows promise. Next up is a matchup against the St. Louis Cardinals, making him a solid target for a waiver pickup.

Mitchell Parker from the Washington Nationals has a remarkable 1.39 ERA despite advanced stats suggesting regression. With the potential for a good trade value, he is another essential addition, especially with a forthcoming start against the Cincinnati Reds. David Peterson of the New York Mets has demonstrated great skills and an impressive ground ball rate, making him a valuable fantasy asset, especially against the Arizona Diamondbacks.

Lastly, Landen Roupp from the San Francisco Giants is on the radar as he possesses advanced stats indicating upside alongside his current roster percentage of 32%. Overall, these pitchers represent strategic opportunities for fantasy managers looking to improve their starting rotations.

Week 5 in fantasy baseball calls for strategic waiver wire moves, especially for starting pitchers. Among the top picks is Andrew Heaney of the Pittsburgh Pirates, who, despite a fastball under 90 MPH, has been effective with a 5.1% walk rate and an impressive K% of 26.3% in his last four starts. Mitchell Parker of the Washington Nationals also stands out, boasting a 1.39 ERA, but his low strikeout rate may limit his overall value. Landen Roupp from the San Francisco Giants shows promise with a significant K% increase, though inconsistency in his ERA raises questions. Jose Quintana of the Milwaukee Brewers remains a reliable option for controlling ratios and winning potential, albeit with limited strikeout upside. Deeper leagues may find value in Reese Olson of the Detroit Tigers, who has improved rapidly, and Matthew Liberatore from the St. Louis Cardinals, boasting four quality starts. Tobias Myers and Shane Smith, both rostered under 30%, are also worth consideration for streaming options.