The Los Angeles Dodgers' impressive undefeated start to the season came to an end at the hands of Jesús Luzardo and the Philadelphia Phillies, who secured a 3-2 victory, snapping the Dodgers' eight-game win streak. The Dodgers now stand at 8-1, with the Phillies also showing strong form at 6-1.

This winning streak by the Dodgers was historically significant, marking the longest undefeated run for a defending champion in MLB history, surpassing the previous record of the 1933 New York Yankees. Luzardo, acquired by Philadelphia from the Miami Marlins, showcased his talents with an electric performance, striking out 11 batters and allowing only two earned runs over five innings.

Utilizing a fastball that reached 98.6 mph, Luzardo effectively neutralized the potent Dodgers lineup, keeping them hitless for 18 consecutive batters after a rocky start. His ability to close out the seventh inning against Kiké Hernández, a seasoned lefty hitter, was a highlight of the evening, showcasing his resilience. While the Dodgers made a late push with a two-run homer in the ninth by Tommy Edman, it wasn't enough to overcome Luzardo's dominance and the solid relief work from Matt Strahm and Jordan Romano.

The 2025 MLB season is still in its early stages, with many teams playing only a handful of games. The Los Angeles Dodgers remain on top of the rankings thanks to Mookie Betts’ return from a weight-related illness, highlighted by a recent two-homer game. The Philadelphia Phillies are climbing, driven by Jesús Luzardo’s impressive debut. On the other hand, the Atlanta Braves and Boston Red Sox are struggling, each dealing with issues that have left them low on the rankings. In the waiver wire discussion, players like Tyler Soderstrom and Jack Leiter are recommended adds, reflecting a keen eye on player performance early in the season.

Drafting effective pitchers in the late rounds can be the secret to fantasy baseball success, especially this season where volatility in pitching is high. While traditionally reliable options such as Cristopher Sánchez and Zack Eflin have value, true sleepers can be found well past pick 200. Bowden Francis of the Toronto Blue Jays stands out with his impressive 1.53 ERA since becoming a full-time starter. Clarke Schmidt of the Yankees is poised for a breakout, aided by injuries in the rotation. Jason Adam could emerge as a top closer for the Padres, while Jesús Luzardo's potential makes him a high-risk, high-reward pick. Other noteworthy late-round options include Nestor Cortes and Cody Bradford, who both show promise despite limited prior opportunities. DJ Herz and David Festa are rookies with high strikeout potential, and Ben Brown's swing-and-miss capability rounds out a list of intriguing options.

This offseason has seen a flurry of movement with major names switching teams, impacting fantasy rosters significantly. Notably, Juan Soto's move to the New York Mets set the stage for a series of trades and signings that are reshaping the landscape of Major League Baseball. Starting pitchers have been particularly in demand, with Luis Severino now heading to Oakland and Max Fried joining the New York Yankees. Fantasy managers must take note of these changes as new environments can greatly influence a pitcher's performance. Factors such as park dimensions, run support, and the strength of a team's bullpen can alter expected outcomes for fantasy points.

Corbin Burnes, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, continues to be a top-tier pitcher, boasting impressive metrics from his time in Milwaukee. His ability to consistently log innings with a high strikeout rate makes him a valuable asset. Meanwhile, Garrett Crochet's transition to the Boston Red Sox offers potential upside, particularly given the team's stronger lineup compared to his previous club. Lastly, Jesus Luzardo's trade to the Philadelphia Phillies could provide him with the support he needs to finally thrive in a competitive environment, making him a sleeper pick for fantasy enthusiasts.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball draft season approaches, identifying potential sleeper pitchers can drastically enhance your roster. This article analyzes four starting pitchers—Eduardo Rodriguez, Jesus Luzardo, Jeffrey Springs, and Sandy Alcantara—who possess significant upside relative to their current average draft positions (ADP).

Eduardo Rodriguez, now with the Arizona Diamondbacks, has a low ADP of 533 but boasts a career 4.08 ERA and was signed to a lucrative contract, suggesting potential rebound value. Jesus Luzardo, a former top prospect with the Philadelphia Phillies, is another intriguing option, currently sitting at an ADP of 392 despite past success and health challenges.

Jeffrey Springs, recently with the Athletics, presents a risk-reward scenario as he comes off Tommy John surgery, but his past performance indicates he could be a valuable asset. Lastly, Sandy Alcantara, who won the Cy Young in 2022, is being undervalued at an ADP of 166 after recovering from surgery. Each of these pitchers offers a chance for fantasy managers to gain an edge in 2025 drafts.