The San Diego Padres are looking to build on last year's playoff run, where they nearly toppled the Los Angeles Dodgers. Manager Mike Shildt emphasizes the strong team chemistry developed during that intense series, particularly noting how Manny Machado rallied the players in a hostile Dodger Stadium atmosphere. This year, the Padres boast a stellar 15-4 record, led by an exceptional bullpen and a rejuvenated Fernando Tatis Jr., who has improved his plate discipline significantly.

With injuries impacting key players but not hampering their performance, the Padres have shown remarkable depth. General Manager A.J. Preller has pivoted his strategy post-playoffs to focus on enhancement rather than regret. Tatis' new leadoff role is pivotal, emphasizing speed and power, and his on-base percentage has soared to .425. As they compete in the dynamic NL West, the Padres aim to harness their past experiences into a successful season.

Fernando Tatís Jr. is poised for a breakout season, boasting an impressive 13.4 Yahoo ADP that reflects his top-three draft potential. His health appears significantly improved, and with 13 homers in his last 39 games, he displays 40/40 upside. Meanwhile, Jung Hoo Lee of the San Francisco Giants has emerged as a fantasy star, leading the league in OPS and showcasing remarkable plate discipline. Tyler Soderstrom is another standout with eight homers, leading MLB while maintaining an impressive wRC+ against right-handers.

Ben Rice is making a name for himself with the New York Yankees, showing exceptional power and discipline, while James Wood of the Nationals is on pace for an extraordinary season. Spencer Torkelson is bouncing back after a subpar previous year and is showing signs of promise. Lastly, Kyren Paris is off to a sensational start with the Angels, becoming one of the fastest players to record five home runs and steals. Each of these hitters represents significant fantasy value as the season progresses.

In a disappointing start to their series against the San Diego Padres, the Chicago Cubs suffered a 10-4 loss at Petco Park, marred by defensive miscommunication and missed opportunities. The Cubs held a two-run lead until the sixth inning, where a critical uncaught fly ball allowed the Padres to tie the game, eventually leading to their loss. Manager Craig Counsell and players like Ian Happ recognized that the team fell victim to their own mistakes, failing to execute defensive plays and allowing the Padres to capitalize.

The Cubs had been performing well defensively this season, ranking fourth in MLB for fielding percentage. However, against the Padres, who remain undefeated at home, the Cubs' errors proved costly. Brad Keller struggled in relief, leading to a series of unfortunate events, including walks and soft singles that further compounded the Cubs' defensive issues. Despite this setback, Happ expressed confidence in the team's ability to rebound in the upcoming games.

Brandon provides his top MLB DFS lineup picks for DraftKings and FanDuel, focusing on the game slate for April 14, 2025. Highlighted teams include the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, and Toronto Blue Jays, with the Dodgers leading in implied team totals. Key pitching options include Sonny Gray and Easton Lucas, who are set to face struggling lineups. Infield targets feature Bobby Witt Jr., Freddie Freeman, and Zach McKinstry, while outfield selections include Fernando Tatis Jr. and Teoscar Hernández. The article also emphasizes the importance of monitoring injury news and suggests various stacks for maximizing fantasy points.

On April 12, 2025, RotoBallers presents essential DFS picks for the day across DraftKings and FanDuel, focusing on a five-game slate from FanDuel and a slightly larger six-game slate from DraftKings. Key pitchers include Bryan Woo, who boasts a 23% strikeout rate against a Texas lineup striking out 21.2% against righties, and Andrew Heaney, who is coming off a strong performance against the Yankees and faces a struggling Cincinnati offense.

In the infield, Josh Naylor is a potential sleeper with a .433 batting average against right-handers, while Manny Machado has been sizzling hot, recording multiple hits in five of his last eleven games. Jorge Polanco continues to shine in Seattle, posting a .417 average with solid slugging numbers. Outfield selections include Fernando Tatis Jr., who is crushing righties, and Pavin Smith, who excels against right-handed pitching.