Heading into Week 2 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, several high-profile players are underperforming, raising questions about whether to drop, hold, or sell them. Key players like Yainer Diaz and Ronel Blanco from the Houston Astros are struggling significantly. Diaz, a promising catcher, has a meager .077 batting average, while Blanco's ERA is high after shaky outings. The Tampa Bay Rays' Junior Caminero and the Baltimore Orioles’ Felix Bautista also face scrutiny; Caminero has shown potential despite a slow start, while Bautista is working his way back from injury. Austin Riley from the Atlanta Braves, known for his slow starts, still holds promise given his past performance. The consensus among experts is to exercise patience with these players, as early-season struggles can often be misleading.

The San Francisco Giants face off against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of their series, with both teams sporting 2-1 records. Jordan Hicks will pitch for the Giants, while Ronel Blanco takes the mound for the Astros. The Astros recently won two of three against the Mets, while the Giants did the same against the Reds. Current statistics reveal the Giants are struggling at the plate with a .214 average, whereas the Astros are even lower at .176. The Astros have only hit one home run in three games compared to five from the Giants. Despite their lackluster hitting, the Giants' ERA stands at a respectable 3.46, but the Astros have excelled with a remarkable 1.33 ERA. The betting odds suggest a close game, with the Giants at +105 and the Astros at -125, but the Giants are favored on the run line at +1.5.

The MLB season kicks off with an exciting Monday slate featuring a mix of day and night games, but the focus is squarely on the night matchups packed with potential for DFS success. Pitcher Bowden Francis from the Toronto Blue Jays is a standout pick at $8,300, boasting a solid 3.30 ERA and 0.93 WHIP last season, particularly impressing with a 1.53 ERA in the second half. Facing the Washington Nationals, who struggled offensively last year, Francis walks into a great matchup as a -170 favorite.

On the other hand, Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros at $9,000 is another viable option, thanks to his consistency over 29 starts, allowing four runs or fewer almost every time out. The matchup against the San Francisco Giants, who ranked low offensively last season, adds to Blanco's appeal.

As for hitters, Kyle Tucker from the Chicago Cubs ($6,000) is sizzling hot with two homers and five RBIs in recent games. Meanwhile, Fernando Tatis Jr. at $5,400 continues to showcase his elite potential with impressive stats, including three steals in the early season. For budget-friendly options, Lane Thomas ($4,100) and Jonathan Aranda ($2,900) provide excellent value against weak pitching matchups.

For stacking, consider the Cubs against Joey Estes of the Oakland Athletics, given Estes' struggles. A stack featuring Tucker, Ian Happ, and Michael Busch could yield high returns. The Tampa Bay Rays against Carmen Mlodzinski also show promise, with key players like Junior Caminero and Brandon Lowe rounding out an attractive stack.

Ronel Blanco's performance in Spring Training has been a mixed bag, but Astros manager Joe Espada remains optimistic about his potential. Despite a substantial 8.44 ERA over four starts, Blanco has a solid foundation, previously not allowing a run in 15.2 innings last spring, which has earned him a rotation spot in 2023. His recent outing against the Mets showcased flashes of promise, with an impressive execution of changeups, though he struggled due to mishaps in the field.

Blanco is focused on refining his mechanics and reducing walks, having dealt with a 10.1% walk rate last season. His confidence appears to be building post-injury, indicating he may adapt well as the regular season approaches. Blanco's ability to adjust and translate his mechanics into effective pitching will be critical for his success with the Astros this season.

The Houston Astros navigated a challenging season in 2024, marked by significant injuries to their pitching staff. This situation thrust players like Ronel Blanco into larger roles, particularly after stepping in for the legendary Justin Verlander. Blanco's season began with a remarkable no-hitter against the Toronto Blue Jays, followed by a dominant performance against the Texas Rangers, showcasing his potential. Over 30 appearances, he posted a 2.80 ERA and 167.1 innings pitched. Entering 2025, he is set to be the No. 3 starter behind Framber Valdez and Hunter Brown.

However, concerns loom regarding his ability to sustain this success. Analysts, including Ryan Phillips of Sports Illustrated, point out a disparity between Blanco's ERA and advanced metrics like xFIP, suggesting he may face regression. His reliance on inducing soft contact and benefiting from elite defensive plays could mean a return to the mean is likely. Despite these concerns, Blanco is expected to remain a valuable asset for the Astros as they look to bounce back from a season filled with pitching woes.