In Week 3 of the 2025 fantasy baseball season, several starting pitchers have emerged as potential waiver wire targets, and three in the NL Central have caught attention. Andre Pallante of the St. Louis Cardinals has been impressive, boasting a 2.20 ERA after a dominant performance against the Phillies, utilizing his four-seam fastball and slider effectively. Meanwhile, Matthew Liberatore, also from the Cardinals, has shown promise with his new pitch mix, including a heightened slider usage that led to a solid outing against the same team. Lastly, Ben Brown, pitching for the Chicago Cubs, showcased his ability to blank the formidable Dodgers, demonstrating considerable upside despite earlier struggles this season. These pitchers may be worth monitoring for fantasy teams.

Yohel Pozo made an impressive impact in his first game at St. Louis, stepping in as a reserve catcher after Masyn Winn suffered lower back spasms. Pozo's performance included three hits, highlighted by an RBI double that broke a scoreless tie, contributing to a 2-0 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies. This outing marked Pozo's return to the majors since 2021, showcasing his readiness and adaptability even without prior experience catching the starting pitcher, Andre Pallante. The support from his family, who attended the game, added to the significance of the moment for the Venezuelan native.

Manager Oliver Marmol praised Pozo's effective at-bats and solid play behind the plate, while Pallante acknowledged Pozo's quick adaptability during the game. Pozo's journey, having joined the Cardinals to replace injured Ivan Herrera, is a testament to perseverance in the competitive landscape of Major League Baseball.

Strikeout props take center stage as the MLB season gains momentum. As we head into April 5, 2025, the betting landscape is ripe with opportunities, especially for savvy bettors looking to capitalize on pitchers with favorable matchups. Today's highlighted picks include players like Reese Olson of the Detroit Tigers, who is projected to exceed 5.5 strikeouts against the Chicago White Sox, a team that has shown a tendency to strike out against right-handed pitching. Olson's recent strong performance against the Dodgers showcases his potential.

Spencer Arrighetti from the Houston Astros, also targeting 5.5 strikeouts, faces a Twins lineup grappling with strikeout regression. With a solid debut under his belt and a potent curveball, Arrighetti could easily exceed this mark. Taj Bradley, meanwhile, will need to navigate the deep Texas Rangers lineup, but his strikeout rate suggests he’s capable of meeting the 5.5 threshold. Brady Singer has reinvented himself with a potent mix of pitches leading to increased strikeouts in his recent outings. He'll encounter a Brewers lineup that has struggled against righties. Lastly, keep an eye on AJ Smith-Shawver, who faces the Miami Marlins, one of the more strikeout-prone teams in baseball, making his 4.5 strikeout prop an intriguing bet.

In a pre-season matchup, the Toronto Blue Jays fell to the St. Louis Cardinals 9-5, with Bowden Francis struggling on the mound, allowing three earned runs over 3 2/3 innings. Francis, a frontrunner for a spot in the starting rotation, surrendered seven hits but managed to strike out five batters. The Cardinals showcased a formidable offense, out-hitting the Blue Jays 16-10. Brendon Little took the loss for Toronto, while Andre Pallante secured the win with five solid innings of work.