Paul Skenes showcased his versatility on the mound, delivering a strong 7.0-inning performance that didn’t rely solely on strikeouts, helping the Pittsburgh Pirates secure a 4-2 victory over the Tampa Bay Rays, thus snapping their four-game losing streak. The Pirates managed to jump to an early lead, thanks to a clutch two-out RBI single from Adam Frazier, scoring Isiah Kiner-Falefa. Notably, Oneil Cruz contributed significantly with a towering home run in the fifth inning, marking his second of the season.

The Pittsburgh Pirates have started the season with a rough 1-5 record, marked by three walk-off losses and the demotion of closer David Bednar to the minors. The team has struggled with key injuries, notably losing starting pitcher Jared Jones to the 60-day injured list. However, one bright spot for the Pirates this season is their aggressive base stealing; they lead MLB with 17 steals, a testament to their speed on the bases.

Oneil Cruz stands out as a player to watch, showcasing his potential with an impressive performance last season and a perfect record on stolen bases so far. Fantasy managers are keen on Cruz, often selecting him in the early rounds. For those in deeper leagues, Isiah Kiner-Falefa is also worth considering, as he has shown a solid batting average and significant stolen base activity while being available in most leagues. Meanwhile, catchers like Joey Bart are expected to rise as the season progresses, potentially providing value as they adjust to their new circumstances.

As the 2025 fantasy baseball season kicks off, managers are eager to navigate through evolving bullpen situations and identify potential saves from the waiver wire. The Philadelphia Phillies have yet to register a save, but Jordan Romano currently leads the save hierarchy. Meanwhile, the Pittsburgh Pirates have optioned David Bednar, raising speculation about Colin Holderman as the next closer, though his early-season struggles add uncertainty.

In Boston, Aroldis Chapman was thought to be a new closer, but Justin Slaten unexpectedly secured a save, positioning him as a name to watch. The Detroit Tigers are in turmoil with their relief corps, and potential candidates include Beau Brieske and Tyler Holton.

Across the league, many teams are experiencing closers by committee, with managers distributing save opportunities. Managers are encouraged to stay vigilant for under-the-radar relievers with elite strikeout ratios that can bolster their fantasy teams without relying solely on saves.

The main MLB slate kicks off at 1:10 PM ET, featuring 10 games and top-notch pitchers, including Paul Skenes and Tarik Skubal. The quality of the pitching pool has improved with many teams returning their aces. Skenes leads with a price tag of $10,300, while Skubal is slightly cheaper at $10,000, making him the preferred choice due to his potential for longer outings and higher win probability.

Dylan Cease sits at $9,300, touted for his strong strikeout potential and favorable matchup against Ben Lively. Other pitchers to keep an eye on include Freddy Peralta and Sonny Gray, both expected to perform well based on recent stats. For value picks, Ryan Pepiot against the struggling Pirates and Sean Burke as a low-cost option are also viable.

Hitting-wise, Fernando Tatis Jr. is notable for his strong form, while stacks like the New York Mets versus Miami Marlins and Washington Nationals against Toronto Blue Jays could offer substantial returns. The games promise exciting matchups and an opportunity for fantasy players to capitalize on pitcher and hitter performances.