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.

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.

As MLB's 2025 season unfolds, top fantasy picks for today include Logan Gilbert and Justin Steele, two pitchers positioned for strong outings. Gilbert, facing a depleted Tigers lineup, showcases impressive statistics with a 34.8% K rate. Steele, targeting the A's, brings consistent strikeout capability with over a batter per inning in recent seasons. For infielders, Vladimir Guerrero Jr. stands out against Trevor Williams, boasting a .384 wOBA against righties. Manny Machado and Alec Burleson also show promise for lineups today.

In the outfield, Kyle Tucker's explosive start to the season makes him a must-have, while Corbin Carroll presents an appealing option against the Yankees. As for stacks, the Cubs versus Luis Severino, the Blue Jays against Trevor Williams, and the Cardinals taking on Kyle Hendricks are the top choices, offering fantastic opportunities for success in today's DFS contests.

Manny Machado's leadoff home run in the seventh inning pushed the San Diego Padres past the Cincinnati Reds in a tight 1-0 game during their spring training. The Reds, now 11-17-1, are facing a challenging roster battle for the final two hitting spots following Spencer Steer being placed on the injured list. Outfielders Stuart Fairchild, Blake Dunn, and Jacob Hurtubise are in contention, with Dunn showing potential with two singles, despite a key defensive error.

Andrew Abbott, the Reds' left-hander, pitched four scoreless innings against the Padres, showcasing promising recovery after a shoulder injury sidelined him last season. Meanwhile, Padres ace Dylan Cease overwhelmed the Reds’ lineup, striking out seven hitters in a stellar outing. The Reds gear up for their final Cactus League match against the Cleveland Guardians, with Nick Lodolo slated to start, aiming to solidify his role in the rotation.

In the world of MLB futures betting, opportunities abound for savvy fantasy sports enthusiasts. Strong candidates like Kyle Schwarber at +1100 to lead in home runs are enticing, especially given his impressive power metrics and past performance. Meanwhile, Alex Bregman is a solid bet at over 20.5 homers, especially in Fenway Park, which suits his hitting style. Michael Toglia, with a predicted 30/10 season, is another name to watch for home runs.

On the bases, Oneil Cruz's speed makes him a prime candidate for over 20.5 stolen bases, potentially reaching a 30/30 season. As for runs scored, Juan Soto at +650 presents great value, particularly with potential rest days for favorite Shohei Ohtani. In the RBI category, Manny Machado at +2000 remains a top run producer. Lastly, keep an eye on potential MVP contenders like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. and Elly De La Cruz, each with compelling narratives heading into the season.