The San Diego Padres have kicked off their 2025 season with an impressive eight-game winning streak, showcasing their offensive prowess against the Atlanta Braves and Cleveland Guardians. Key players Manny Machado, Fernando Tatis Jr., Gavin Sheets, and Jackson Merrill have all contributed significantly, with Merrill recently securing a nine-year, $135 million contract extension. This streak breaks their previous longest run of seven games from 2024.

As the Padres prepare to face the Chicago Cubs, the team looks to continue this momentum and potentially challenge for the best start in MLB history, a record set by the Tampa Bay Rays in 2023. Fans are eager to see if the Padres can maintain their hot streak and keep pace with the equally strong Los Angeles Dodgers, also off to an 8-0 start.

Jackson Merrill has officially signed a significant nine-year contract extension with the San Diego Padres, potentially worth up to $204 million with incentives. After a standout rookie season where he led all MLB rookies in multiple categories, including a .292 batting average and 24 home runs, Merrill's exceptional start to 2025 (hitting .400 with a 190 OPS+) has solidified his status as a crucial piece for the Padres moving forward.

This deal not only secures one of the league’s brightest young stars but also signifies the Padres’ commitment to their future amidst uncertainties surrounding ownership. The structure of Merrill's contract allows for an attainable raise early in his career while providing financial flexibility for the team. Players like Fernando Tatis Jr. and Manny Machado have already secured their places with the franchise, and Merrill is poised to join this elite group.

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.

The MLB season kicks off with an exciting Monday slate featuring a mix of day and night games, but the focus is squarely on the night matchups packed with potential for DFS success. Pitcher Bowden Francis from the Toronto Blue Jays is a standout pick at $8,300, boasting a solid 3.30 ERA and 0.93 WHIP last season, particularly impressing with a 1.53 ERA in the second half. Facing the Washington Nationals, who struggled offensively last year, Francis walks into a great matchup as a -170 favorite.

On the other hand, Ronel Blanco of the Houston Astros at $9,000 is another viable option, thanks to his consistency over 29 starts, allowing four runs or fewer almost every time out. The matchup against the San Francisco Giants, who ranked low offensively last season, adds to Blanco's appeal.

As for hitters, Kyle Tucker from the Chicago Cubs ($6,000) is sizzling hot with two homers and five RBIs in recent games. Meanwhile, Fernando Tatis Jr. at $5,400 continues to showcase his elite potential with impressive stats, including three steals in the early season. For budget-friendly options, Lane Thomas ($4,100) and Jonathan Aranda ($2,900) provide excellent value against weak pitching matchups.

For stacking, consider the Cubs against Joey Estes of the Oakland Athletics, given Estes' struggles. A stack featuring Tucker, Ian Happ, and Michael Busch could yield high returns. The Tampa Bay Rays against Carmen Mlodzinski also show promise, with key players like Junior Caminero and Brandon Lowe rounding out an attractive stack.

In a standout debut for the San Diego Padres, Nick Pivetta delivered an electric performance against the Atlanta Braves, pitching seven shutout innings with only one hit allowed, leading the Padres to a 5-0 victory. Pivetta's mastery was evident as he faced the minimum number of batters, striking out four without issuing a walk. The Padres completed a four-game sweep of the Braves, marking their second 4-0 start in franchise history. Meanwhile, Fernando Tatis Jr. continued his hot hitting, contributing two hits and two walks, boosting his batting average to .467.

While the Padres celebrated their strong start, the Braves faced a grim situation, scoring just seven runs over the four-game series. This marked their first 0-4 start since 2021, a year they eventually won the World Series. The team anticipates the return of key players like Ronald Acuña Jr. and Spencer Strider, but the challenges in the competitive NL East loom large.