In this year's fantasy auction, a mixed league keeper format created a competitive landscape for pitching staff selection. The primary focus was on acquiring high-upside arms to build a formidable rotation.

Kodai Senga emerged as the SP1, showcasing his top-of-the-rotation potential with a remarkable changeup. Dylan Cease, known for his explosive strikeout ability, was selected as SP2 despite past inconsistencies. Young talents like MacKenzie Gore and Bryan Woo were added for their impressive strikeout capabilities, while Kevin Gausman and Yu Darvish brought veteran experience despite injury concerns.

The bullpen was reinforced with Andres Munoz poised to seize closer duties after a trade opened up opportunities, while Felix Bautista and Liam Hendriks were selected for their closing potential, albeit with some health concerns. Bench options like Miles Mikolas and Tomoyuki Sugano add depth, making this pitching staff one to watch.

In a competitive clash, the Cleveland Guardians fell 5-2 to the San Diego Padres, who improved their franchise-record start to a 7-0. Key moments included homers from Jackson Merrill and Luis Arraez, with Arraez's being his first of the season. The Guardians struggled against Dylan Cease, who allowed just one run over 6 1/3 innings. Cleveland's Ben Lively took the loss after yielding four runs in 4 1/3 innings, hampered by a crucial third inning where he lost control after two quick outs.

The Padres took an early lead with a unique double steal, showcasing their aggressive base-running. Cleveland’s late-game efforts included a groundout from Lane Thomas and a sacrifice fly from Kyle Manzardo, but ultimately, they couldn’t capitalize on their chances to tie the game.

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.

As the MLB season kicks off, fantasy managers are confronted with an unusual 'getaway day' slate featuring afternoon games. Top pitching picks include Sonny Gray, who faces a struggling Angels' offense, and Garrett Crochet, whose left-handed prowess could neutralize an injury-depleted Orioles lineup. Dylan Cease is expected to bounce back after a rocky start against a mediocre Guardians team. Meanwhile, Clay Holmes, starting for the Mets, pairs well against a Marlins team projected to struggle offensively.

For hitting, Yordan Alvarez remains a standout, known for his power hitting, while Jackson Merrill shows promise with consistent contact. Bargain options like JJ Bleday and Jose Miranda offer value with potential high upside. Stacking the Mets against the Marlins is advisable, particularly with power hitters like Juan Soto and Pete Alonso. Similarly, a stack against Yusei Kikuchi could capitalize on the Cardinals' strong lineup. As the season progresses, such strategies will be crucial for DFS success.

The Atlanta Braves face the San Diego Padres for the second game of a series following a loss on opening day. Despite a strong performance from Reynaldo López, the Braves fell short, with the Padres scoring four runs in the seventh inning to take the game 7-4. Key performances included Fernando Tatis Jr. going 3-for-4 and Gavin Sheets hitting a crucial home run for San Diego. Tonight, López will be matched against Padres pitcher Dylan Cease, setting the stage for an exciting battle on the mound.

The Braves' Ozzie Albies hit a three-run homer yesterday, showcasing his power at the plate. Meanwhile, the Padres' recent momentum will be challenging for Atlanta, as they look to bounce back from their opening day defeat. The betting odds favor the Padres slightly, which could influence fantasy strategy. Braves fans will hope for a turnaround as they aim to even the series at Petco Park.