The 2025 fantasy baseball season is heating up with various closer competitions across MLB teams. With just a week into the season, some teams are still struggling to clarify their closer situations. Notably, the Pittsburgh Pirates have shifted their focus from David Bednar to Dennis Santana, who has emerged as a reliable option after a successful outing against the Tampa Bay Rays.

In Philadelphia, the Phillies are weighing multiple candidates for saves, including Jose Alvarado and Jordan Romano, while the Cincinnati Reds could see Emilio Pagan stepping up in Alexis Diaz's absence due to injury. The Colorado Rockies seem to have settled on Seth Halvorsen, and the Boston Red Sox have Aroldis Chapman in the mix following Liam Hendriks' injury. Meanwhile, the Texas Rangers' Luke Jackson has quickly become a primary closer despite his shaky ERA. The Los Angeles Dodgers might have the most valuable closer situation in the league, with several pitchers vying for save opportunities.

Current MLB players have openly critiqued ESPN’s Top 100 player rankings, emphasizing a disconnect between hype and actual performance metrics. Many players expressed concern that players like Roki Sasaki are ranked above proven talents like J.T. Realmuto, questioning the criteria of evaluating potential over tangible achievements. Veteran outfielder Tommy Pham articulated that a handful of strong months shouldn't overshadow consistent multi-year performances. Others, like Adam Ottavino, pointed out the imbalance in the rankings between position players and pitchers, suggesting a misalignment with their market value. Notably, Aaron Judge's ranking at No. 4 surprised many, as they argued that his previous statistics warranted a higher position.

The Philadelphia Phillies are set to take on the Colorado Rockies Thursday at 1:05 p.m. at Citizens Bank Park, concluding their first home series of the season. Right-hander Taijuan Walker will start for the Phillies, looking to improve from his 3-7 record and 7.10 ERA this season. Facing him will be Rockies' right-hander Antonio Senzatela, who has yet to pitch this season.

Fans can catch the game on NBC 10 and NBCSP, with radio coverage on 94WIP and WDEL. For those interested in streaming, NBCSP will offer a livestream for viewers in the Philadelphia area via its website and app. Additionally, platforms like FuboTV, Hulu, and Apple TV+ will also provide access, with Apple TV+ featuring the Phillies on select dates this season.

Thursday's sports schedule is packed with action across MLB, NCAA, NBA, and more, making it a crucial day for fans and fantasy sports enthusiasts alike. Key MLB games include the Colorado Rockies taking on the Philadelphia Phillies at noon and the Houston Astros facing the Minnesota Twins at 3:00 PM.

The NBA also has a star-studded lineup, highlighted by the Golden State Warriors going head-to-head with the Los Angeles Lakers at 9:00 PM. This matchup features star players like Stephen Curry and LeBron James, both of whom are pivotal for fantasy lineups.

College basketball also takes center stage with significant NCAA matchups, including the NIT final between UC Irvine and Chattanooga at 8:00 PM. With players vying for national recognition, this game could impact draft stock for next year's prospects.