A.J. Puk has quickly established himself as the primary closer for the Arizona Diamondbacks, successfully converting both of the team's saves early in the season. Despite some career challenges against right-handed hitters, his impressive stats from last season (1.72 ERA, 0.75 WHIP) suggest he has the potential to dominate the role alongside Justin Martinez, who is also making waves with a 45.0 K-BB% thus far. The Atlanta Braves, meanwhile, are struggling despite their expected positive regression, with Rasiel Iglesias emerging as a potential buy-low candidate in fantasy leagues.

In the Boston Red Sox's bullpen, Aroldis Chapman is stepping into the closer's role, especially with Liam Hendriks sidelined. Chapman showed an uptick in performance post-All-Star break last year, making him a valuable fantasy asset. In contrast, the Chicago Cubs face uncertainty with Ryan Pressley leading saves but his high SIERA raises concerns. The White Sox, still without a save this season, are leaning towards Mike Clevinger, who has yet to prove effective.

Over in Cincinnati, Emilio Pagán is taking charge as the preferred ninth-inning option, but concerns about Alexis Díaz's performance when he returns from injury linger. The Colorado Rockies’ Seth Halvorsen has managed to get a save, though Coors Field remains a variable. The Detroit Tigers are also navigating murky waters with Tommy Kahnle likely to secure the closer's job, while the Los Angeles Angels, surprisingly leading the league in save opportunities, are getting solid returns from Kenley Jansen.

As the season progresses, keep an eye on the Miami Marlins' Anthony Bender, who has already notched a save, and the Milwaukee Brewers, who are still searching for their first save opportunity. With the season only just beginning, the evolving closer landscape will be crucial for fantasy players looking to fill key roster spots.

Torpedo bats have shaken up the MLB, yet their future remains uncertain amid calls for a ban. Recent betting analysis from RotoWire, using DraftKings Sportsbook data, revealed that wagers on players using these bats resulted in a net loss of $69. Among 13 players evaluated, only Anthony Volpe from the New York Yankees managed to deliver a payout, successfully hitting a home run at +1000 odds for a $110 return on a $10 bet.

In total bases betting, the results were grim, with just Volpe, Elly De La Cruz from the Cincinnati Reds, and Austin Wells of the Yankees covering their bases. Overall betting yielded $81 on $130, marking a $49 loss.

As the MLB season kicks off, actionable insights are being drawn from matchups, particularly when the Arizona Diamondbacks face the New York Yankees. With Merrill Kelly's promising start against a tough Cubs lineup, he aims to replicate that success against the Yankees, while Carlos Carrasco struggles to regain his form. Betting odds highlight the Diamondbacks at +106 and an enticing over/under of 10 runs due to both teams' powerful lineups at Yankee Stadium.

Cody Bellinger stands out as a key player to watch, having a strong track record against Kelly, making his over 1.5 total bases prop bet at +130 particularly appealing. The same game parlay sets at +700 could yield significant returns if the trends hold.

Thursday's MLB slate features five games, with exciting matchups such as the Orioles facing the Red Sox. The Diamondbacks, despite being overshadowed by teams like the Yankees, have been impressive, leading the league in runs last season. Betting on their early scoring seems favorable given the Yankees' Carlos Carrasco's struggles on the mound, particularly his recent form allowing homers. Meanwhile, in the Brewers vs. Reds matchup, both teams have had slow starts offensively, making a low-scoring game likely.