As the MLB season kicks off, fantasy managers are confronted with an unusual 'getaway day' slate featuring afternoon games. Top pitching picks include Sonny Gray, who faces a struggling Angels' offense, and Garrett Crochet, whose left-handed prowess could neutralize an injury-depleted Orioles lineup. Dylan Cease is expected to bounce back after a rocky start against a mediocre Guardians team. Meanwhile, Clay Holmes, starting for the Mets, pairs well against a Marlins team projected to struggle offensively.

For hitting, Yordan Alvarez remains a standout, known for his power hitting, while Jackson Merrill shows promise with consistent contact. Bargain options like JJ Bleday and Jose Miranda offer value with potential high upside. Stacking the Mets against the Marlins is advisable, particularly with power hitters like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. Similarly, a stack against Yusei Kikuchi could capitalize on the Cardinals' strong lineup. As the season progresses, such strategies will be crucial for DFS success.

The 2025 MLB season is in full swing, and several prospects are already making headlines with impressive starts. Among them, Rece Hinds of the Cincinnati Reds shines brightly with a blistering .500 batting average, two home runs, and six RBIs in just three games. He’s showing immense potential that could soon translate to a major league promotion.

Meanwhile, J.T. Ginn of the Oakland Athletics has emerged as a dominant pitcher with a stellar 0.00 ERA and 14.4 strikeouts per nine innings in his first start. His exceptional slider and changeup could make him a valuable addition for teams in need of pitching depth.

Juan Brito of the Cleveland Guardians is also making noise with a .417 average and strong defensive skills, showcasing versatility across multiple positions. His ability to contribute on both sides of the ball makes him a player to watch as the season progresses.

Carlos Rodriguez, pitching for the Milwaukee Brewers, started strong with five scoreless innings and seven strikeouts, indicating he may be ready for another chance at the majors. Lastly, Kyle Teel of the Chicago White Sox is proving his worth as a premier catching prospect with a remarkable start, including two homers and nine RBIs.

The San Diego Padres continue to make history, improving to 6-0 with a commanding 7-0 victory over the Cleveland Guardians. This marks the best start in Padres' franchise history, surpassing their previous best of 4-0. Key to this performance was starter Michael King, who struck out 11 batters in five innings, allowing only two hits. The Padres' bullpen remained impenetrable, adding four more scoreless innings to their streak of not conceding a run after the sixth inning this season.

Offensively, Jackson Merrill's solo home run opened the scoring, followed by a balanced attack that saw contributions from Jake Cronenworth and Manny Machado, both with two hits each. Fernando Tatis Jr. added two RBIs through productive outs, maximizing opportunities despite not registering a hit. The Guardians struggled offensively with only two hits, unable to capitalize on scoring chances. Cleveland's Logan Allen pitched 5.1 innings, allowing four earned runs, striking out just one and surrendering five walks.

As the MLB season progresses, the Baltimore Orioles face lineup shifts due to Gunnar Henderson's intercostal injury, giving Jackson Holliday and Jorge Mateo opportunities at shortstop. Colton Cowser's thumb fracture opens a door for Heston Kjerstad, who will likely see regular playing time against right-handed pitchers. Meanwhile, the Boston Red Sox’s Triston Casas is expected to secure a full-time role despite a rocky start, while Wilyer Abreu impresses in his limited appearances.

The New York Yankees are experimenting with leadoff hitters, with both Austin Wells and Paul Goldschmidt having success. The Tampa Bay Rays' Curtis Mead showed promise on Opening Day but faced lineup uncertainty with injuries. The Toronto Blue Jays are giving Andres Gimenez an untraditional cleanup spot, and the Chicago White Sox are mixing up their leadoff approach with Miguel Vargas. The Cleveland Guardians’ Kyle Manzardo is thriving in the early season, further solidifying his role.

The Cleveland Guardians (2-2) faced a tough challenge against the undefeated San Diego Padres (5-0) in Game 2 of their series. Despite a solid start by Logan Allen, the Guardians fell short, losing 7-2. Gavin Sheets shone in the game with two crucial two-run doubles, racking up four RBIs, while Kyle Hart secured his first MLB win by allowing just two runs over five innings. José Ramírez and Austin Hedges each hit home runs, but it wasn't enough to overcome the Padres' offensive power.

As the teams prepared for their next matchup, the Guardians aimed to improve their betting odds, pegged at +137 on the moneyline against the Padres' -162. Key player performances were highlighted, with José Ramírez batting .300 early in the season and Fernando Tatis Jr. boasting a .450 average. Guage betting trends and projections suggest a potential shift in fortunes for the Guardians, especially as they look to cover the spread after failing to do so in their previous game.