Paul Skenes showcased his talents on the mound, leading the Pittsburgh Pirates to a 3-0 win over the Los Angeles Dodgers. The young ace pitched 6 1/3 innings, allowing only five hits while striking out nine, marking a pivotal moment in his season. This victory not only reflects Skenes' growth but the Pirates' resilience, as they’ve won three of their last four games during their California trip.

Skenes, a native of Orange County, received support from Emmanuel Valdez, Oneil Cruz, and Ke’Bryan Hayes, who each contributed RBIs. In contrast, the Dodgers are experiencing a slump, having lost three consecutive games. Skenes dominated even the formidable hitters like Shohei Ohtani and Mookie Betts, neutralizing their threats throughout the game.

The Pittsburgh Pirates fell short against the Los Angeles Angels on Thursday night, losing 4-3 despite a promising start with home runs from Oneil Cruz and Matt Gorski that gave them an early three-run lead. The Angels responded with four unanswered runs, demonstrating their resilience. Paul Skenes, although credited with the loss, had a commendable outing, allowing just two runs over seven innings. The Pirates, now at 10-16, face the Los Angeles Dodgers next, who are currently 16-9, in a three-game series.

Today’s MLB betting landscape showcases promising home run prop bets, highlighted by Andrew Benintendi, Dylan Crews, Oneil Cruz, and Tyler Soderstrom. Bet on Benintendi with odds of +550, capitalizing on his impressive stats against right-hand pitchers this season. Meanwhile, Crews faces Cade Povich, with favorable wind conditions aiding his potential for a home run. Cruz, despite occasional lineup uncertainty, is against a struggling Tyler Anderson, making him a viable bet. Finally, Soderstrom is positioned well against Jacob deGrom in a hitter-friendly environment.

As the MLB season unfolds, fantasy baseball enthusiasts are faced with a packed schedule, particularly the enticing eight-game slate starting at 7 PM ET. Logan Webb ($10,000) and Freddy Peralta ($9,800) headline as the top pitchers, but the preference leans towards Peralta due to Webb's fluctuating strikeout rate and his team's high strikeout percentage.

Eduardo Rodriguez and Andrew Heaney present attractive options at $9,000 and $8,100 respectively, with Heaney's matchup against a struggling Angels lineup adding to his appeal. For budget-conscious players, Bowden Francis ($7,800) and JP Sears ($7,700) are worth considering, as both have delivered promising early performances. Kumar Rocker is a potential high-risk, high-reward pick at $6,900.

Among hitters, Eugenio Suarez stands out with a remarkable 50% extra-base hit rate and is primed for success against Taj Bradley, a pitcher prone to giving up home runs. The Pirates' duo of Oneil Cruz and Bryan Reynolds could benefit from stacking, particularly against Jack Kochanowicz, who has struggled on the mound. The Twins, despite a slow start, offer value plays like Trevor Larnach ($2,900) against Bryse Wilson.

Stacking options to consider include the Kansas City Royals against German Márquez and the Chicago Cubs against a yet-to-be-determined Dodgers starter. With careful selection, this slate offers opportunities for both established stars and emerging talents.