Mark Vientos' groin tightness forced his exit from Saturday's game against the St. Louis Cardinals, raising concerns about the New York Mets' lineup stability. Replacing him in the fifth inning, Brett Baty stepped up as Vientos struggled offensively, recording no hits in two at-bats, which dropped his batting average to .167. Despite this setback, Vientos had shown promising power in recent games, hitting home runs in his previous two outings. His health will be critical for the Mets as they depend on his performance in the cleanup spot.

On April 18, the St. Louis Cardinals (9-10) face the New York Mets (12-7) at Citi Field in Queens. This matchup features Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals, who is struggling with a 9.00 ERA this season, against Mets’ David Peterson, boasting a solid 2.70 ERA. In the first game of the series, the Mets claimed victory with a 4-1 score, highlighting Francisco Lindor's three-hit performance and Mark Vientos' first home run of the season. Expert predictions suggest looking at the betting odds of Mets at -166 on the moneyline, while the Cardinals sit at +140. The over/under is set at 8 runs.

As the game approaches, key trends are worth noting: Wilson Contreras from the Cardinals is hitless in his past three games, while Lindor has been red-hot, hitting safely in six consecutive games. Given these dynamics, the betting model leans towards the Mets on the moneyline and the total runs going over 8. This game should provide ample opportunities for fantasy enthusiasts and bettors alike, with crucial player performances likely influencing the outcome.

As the fantasy baseball season progresses into Week 3, several previously promising players are struggling significantly. This week’s analysis focuses on five notable hitters and pitchers who have seen their value drop dramatically, raising the question of whether to hold on, sell low, or drop them altogether. Jackson Holliday of the Baltimore Orioles, once a highly touted prospect, is currently hitless in his last 17 at-bats, reflecting a troubling slump. Similarly, Mark Vientos from the New York Mets is batting just .130 with a high strikeout rate, causing concern among fantasy owners.

Boston Red Sox’s Triston Casas, who demonstrated potential last season, has also started poorly this year, prompting speculation about his long-term viability. Matt Chapman of the San Francisco Giants is in an even deeper slump, going hitless over his last eight games. Lastly, Yusei Kikuchi, a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, has not been delivering the expected results despite his previous form. Collectively, these players present dilemmas for fantasy managers as they weigh their options heading into the next week.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball season kicks into gear, several underperforming players are on the hot seat, with many still being highly rostered despite their lackluster starts. Mark Vientos of the New York Mets, with a dismal .119 batting average, is struggling to find his rhythm, and his OPS of .412 raises concerns about his ability to maintain a spot on fantasy rosters. Similarly, Spencer Steer from the Cincinnati Reds has seen his performance drop sharply, leading to a demotion in the batting order after starting with high expectations.

Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays also faces scrutiny as his batting average plummets to .143, leaving fantasy managers questioning his viability. Meanwhile, Bailey Ober's inconsistent pitching for the Minnesota Twins has many debating whether he should remain in their lineups, especially following a rough start in his season debut. Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros, who showed promise last year, is struggling to recreate his success and has a concerning ERA of 9.45. As Week 3 approaches, the need to reassess these players is crucial for fantasy success.

Finding value in your fantasy baseball drafts can set the stage for championship success. By targeting players at each position who are projected to put up comparable numbers to more popular counterparts, but are available significantly later in drafts, savvy managers can enhance their rosters without breaking the bank.

This approach begins with catchers, where Will Smith of the Los Angeles Dodgers is a compelling alternative to the overvalued Adley Rutschman. While Rutschman (ADP 73) is expected to play more games, Smith (ADP 126) could produce similar stats, thanks largely to the Dodgers' utilization of Shohei Ohtani in the DH spot. Moving to first base, Vinnie Pasquantino could outperform Josh Naylor while being drafted much later, offering a better value proposition despite concerns over injury histories.

The second base spot offers a similar story, with Jordan Westburg providing a cheaper alternative to Ozzie Albies. At third, Eugenio Suarez, who has consistently delivered power stats, is a solid pick over the hyped Mark Vientos. Lastly, in the outfield, Heliot Ramos has the potential to match Nick Castellanos’ production, making him a great late-round target. These selections reflect a strategic mindset, focusing on maximizing value across all positions.

By leveraging these insights, fantasy managers can bolster their teams effectively and position themselves for a successful season.