As the 2025 MLB season kicks into gear, players like Mike Trout and William Contreras are expected to bounce back from sluggish starts, while teams like the Atlanta Braves are likely to turn around their offensive struggles. Fantasy players should keep an eye on the waiver wire for emerging talents. This week, five players stand out as must-adds: Jeffrey Springs, whose potential as a dominant starter is rekindling; Kris Bubic, who offers breakout potential; Tyler Soderstrom, a promising first baseman; Wilmer Flores, who might fill the first base gap; and Kristian Campbell, a versatile player making waves.

The Houston Astros take on the San Francisco Giants tonight at Daikin Park with right-hander Hayden Wesneski making his debut for Houston. The Astros, who have had a slow start scoring just eight runs in their first four games, are not concerned, citing positive signs in their play despite the struggles.

In the series opener, the Giants triumphed over the Astros 7-2, with Cypress Creek alum Jordan Hicks dominating on the mound, shutting the Astros out for six innings. Fans can tune in at 7:10 p.m. on Space City Home Network for live coverage.

The Houston Astros are back in action after a brief Sunday hiatus, set to face the San Francisco Giants in a six-game homestand opener. Starting pitcher Ronel Blanco makes his season debut, adding anticipation to the matchup. Fans will see a fresh look as the Astros don their new City Connect uniforms, a nod to the team's past adorned with space-themed elements.

Notably, former Astros star Justin Verlander returns to Houston with the Giants, although he won’t pitch in this series. After a mixed performance in his initial outing, Verlander remains a significant figure to watch as he seeks to reestablish his dominance in a new environment.

The San Francisco Giants face off against the Houston Astros in Game 1 of their series, with both teams sporting 2-1 records. Jordan Hicks will pitch for the Giants, while Ronel Blanco takes the mound for the Astros. The Astros recently won two of three against the Mets, while the Giants did the same against the Reds. Current statistics reveal the Giants are struggling at the plate with a .214 average, whereas the Astros are even lower at .176. The Astros have only hit one home run in three games compared to five from the Giants. Despite their lackluster hitting, the Giants' ERA stands at a respectable 3.46, but the Astros have excelled with a remarkable 1.33 ERA. The betting odds suggest a close game, with the Giants at +105 and the Astros at -125, but the Giants are favored on the run line at +1.5.

The San Francisco Giants have been ranked as the fifth-most valuable team in Major League Baseball, valued at $4 billion, according to Forbes. This marks a 5% increase from the previous year, even as the team experienced an operating loss of $24 million. The average MLB team is valued at around $2.6 billion, highlighting the Giants' significant valuation.

In comparison, the New York Mets are just behind the Giants at sixth-place with a valuation of $3.2 billion, despite having the highest payroll last year at $305 million. Meanwhile, the New York Yankees continue to dominate the list as the most valuable team, worth over $8 billion, and the Los Angeles Dodgers remain second for the 14th consecutive year.

The Oakland Athletics, however, saw their value rise by an impressive 50% to $1.8 billion after announcing their move to Las Vegas, despite a low payroll of around $60 million last year. This increase reflects growing optimism about their potential new stadium and fan support.