In a thrilling matchup on Monday, former LSU stars Paul Skenes and Dylan Crews made their professional debuts facing off against each other as the Pittsburgh Pirates took on the Washington Nationals. Skenes, pitching for the Pirates, excelled with six innings of work, allowing just one earned run on three hits while striking out six batters. He faced Crews twice, who was unable to find success, grounding out on both occasions and finishing the day 0-4. This matchup highlights the challenges Crews faces in his second season, where he is struggling with a batting average of .106.

Meanwhile, Skenes continues to shine, now boasting a 2.96 ERA. Their journey from leading LSU to the 2023 College World Series to competing at the MLB level adds a compelling narrative to their professional careers. The stark contrast in their early performances could raise questions about player development and expectations in the majors.

Week 3 of the MLB season has brought some notable fantasy baseball risers and fallers. Kyren Paris of the Los Angeles Angels has emerged as a surprise standout, boasting a .400 average with five home runs and five stolen bases. His impressive spring performance has translated seamlessly into the regular season, marking him as a must-add player. Jacob Wilson of the Athletics is also making waves, hitting .368 with good contact rates, though his power numbers may not sustain.

On the pitching side, Shane Smith of the White Sox has proven to be an early breakout candidate with a 1.54 ERA and a no-hit bid in his recent start. Easton Lucas, filling in for Max Scherzer, has displayed exceptional form with a 0.00 ERA in his first two starts. However, not all news is positive; Willson Contreras and Yainer Diaz are struggling significantly, raising concerns among fantasy managers. Each week is crucial as the fantasy landscape continues to evolve rapidly!

As the 2025 MLB season progresses into Week 3, injuries have begun to take a toll on fantasy lineups, particularly among key pitchers. Jared Jones of the Pittsburgh Pirates is dealing with a right elbow UCL sprain, raising concerns about his return, with the best-case scenario nudging toward the All-Star Break. Meanwhile, Ryan Weathers of the Miami Marlins is recovering from a left flexor strain, showing promising recovery signs and potentially returning by mid to late May. Lastly, Ranger Suárez of the Philadelphia Phillies is set to kick off his rehab assignment, making him the most likely of the three to return soon, boasting an impressive track record from last season.

In a nail-biting overtime contest, the Toronto Blue Jays edged the Boston Red Sox 2-1, with Bo Bichette's sacrifice fly clinching the win in the 11th inning. The game was characterized by a thrilling pitching duel, yielding only 10 total hits across the first 10 innings. The Jays opened the scoring early with an RBI groundout from Will Wagner, but an Alejandro Kirk throwing error allowed Boston to equalize with an unearned run.

Kevin Gausman delivered a strong performance, striking out 10 batters despite not recording any in his previous outing against the Mets. Notably, he escaped a first-inning jam against Rafael Devers with a crucial strikeout. The game showcased exceptional defense, highlighted by Nathan Lukes' leaping catch against the Green Monster. Jeff Hoffman played a pivotal role in late innings, striking out key batters and maintaining the tie before Bichette's heroics.