As we wrap up April and analyze the pitching landscape for fantasy baseball, several starting pitchers have emerged as key players in the early season. Hunter Brown stands out with a remarkable 24-inning scoreless streak, dominating the mound with consistent performances. His upcoming matchup against the struggling Royals could further solidify his status as a top-tier pitcher.

Meanwhile, Tyler Mahle's elite ERA of 0.68 raises questions about sustainability, as his underlying metrics suggest that he's likely due for regression. Max Meyer is another name to watch, demonstrating a potent strikeout rate and an impressive slider, while Landen Roupp is proving to be a promising talent with strong metrics despite some concerns about contact quality.

On the flip side, pitchers like Chris Sale and Corbin Burnes are struggling with inconsistent performances and elevated metrics, prompting potential panic among fantasy managers. With pitchers like Dylan Cease and Aaron Nola also facing uphill battles, it's crucial for fantasy owners to stay vigilant in their lineup decisions.

The Houston Astros are poised for a sweep against the San Diego Padres, featuring a matchup between pitchers Framber Valdez and Dylan Cease. The Astros lineup will see Jose Altuve, Kyle Tucker, and Yordan Alvarez taking key positions, while Jeremy Peña is set to be mic'd up for the broadcast. The Padres counter with Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado in their batting order. Fans can catch the game live on ESPN, starting at 6:10 p.m. CDT.

As the 2025 MLB season unfolds, fantasy baseball managers are grappling with early-season struggles from key players. Chris Sale, the reigning Cy Young winner, has only mustered 20 fantasy points through four starts, while Francisco Lindor, a top-15 pick, has just 32 points.

Players such as Sale and Lindor are experiencing familiar slow starts, prompting many to prematurely drop them. Yet, historical trends suggest patience is critical. Last season, Aaron Judge faced similar struggles at the start, only to rebound spectacularly. Managers are reminded to resist the urge to react too hastily to early season data, as some players notorious for slow starts, such as Lindor, often find their rhythm later on.

Tuesday's MLB slate showcases all 30 teams, with a focus on intriguing matchups and aces on the mound. Key pitchers include Zack Wheeler, Dylan Cease, and Chris Sale, but each faces challenges, making Freddy Peralta and Cole Ragans appealing options for DFS players. Hitter havens such as Coors Field are pivotal for fantasy lineups, especially with the Brewers and Rays being strong stacking options.

Among hitters, Jackson Chourio is on a hot streak for the Brewers, while Gunnar Henderson looks to regain form against Merrill Kelly. Pavin Smith remains a viable value pick, and the Reds offer budget-friendly options in Gavin Lux and Santiago Espinal. Stacking the Cubs against Patrick Corbin is also highly recommended due to Corbin's struggles from last season.

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.