Francisco Lindor sealed a thrilling victory for the New York Mets with a walk-off homer against the St. Louis Cardinals, clinching a 5-4 win on Friday night. Lindor's 250th career home run came in dramatic fashion, after Brendan Donovan tied the game with a homer in the top of the ninth off Huascar Brazobán. The game was a rollercoaster, with both teams exchanging leads throughout.

Key contributions came from Nolan Arenado, who drove in a run to temporarily give the Cardinals the lead and from Juan Soto, who ended a slump with a crucial RBI hit. Mets starter David Peterson showed resilience on the mound, recording nine strikeouts, while Miles Mikolas improved his ERA despite not getting the win. This contest showcased the tight race in the MLB as teams jostle for playoff positions.

Francisco Lindor's heroics lifted the New York Mets to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on Friday night, with Lindor hitting his first walk-off home run in his five seasons with the team. The win was critical as it maintained the Mets' one-game lead over the Philadelphia Phillies in the NL East. St. Louis had rallied to tie the game in the ninth inning, but Huascar Brazobán, who recorded the victory, set the stage for Lindor's dramatic finish.

The game unfolded with a strong start from St. Louis as they took a 2-0 lead, but the Mets battled back, showcasing their resilience. Despite both starters struggling—David Peterson for the Mets and Miles Mikolas for the Cardinals—the teams exchanged blows throughout the game, culminating in a nail-biting finish.

As the fantasy baseball draft season heats up, targets in the later rounds can make or break a team. Players with multi-position eligibility are especially valuable, providing flexibility to navigate injuries or off days. Look for candidates with an ADP of 175 or lower, offering a mix of batting average, home runs, and stolen bases. Key players like Brendan Donovan of the St. Louis Cardinals and Ceddanne Rafaela from the Boston Red Sox have the potential to contribute across multiple categories while providing roster flexibility.

For those seeking late-round sleepers, Christopher Morel of the Tampa Bay Rays and Luke Raley of the Seattle Mariners are intriguing options. Morel’s power potential coupled with eligibility at multiple positions can help fill gaps, while Raley's career-high plate appearances last season hint at further production. As the season approaches, these players could be the difference between a good fantasy team and a championship contender.

Finding balance in your fantasy baseball lineup is critical, especially when prioritizing power hitters early in the draft. While these players can deliver impressive home run totals, their batting averages may falter. To counter this, consider targeting late-round players who excel in contact skills and can significantly enhance your batting average. This piece discusses six hitters available after pick 200 that can help you maintain a competitive average.

Yandy Diaz of the Tampa Bay Rays, with an ADP of 205, is an excellent option. He posted a .281 AVG last season and holds strong contact metrics, including a low whiff rate. Brendan Donovan, eligible at multiple positions for the St. Louis Cardinals, is another valuable pick, offering a solid .278 AVG and an impressive contact profile. Jung Hoo Lee, now a regular for the San Francisco Giants, presents a potential breakout after showcasing elite contact skills in a limited sample.

The St. Louis Cardinals are nearing the completion of arbitration decisions for eligible players as they prepare for the 2025 season. The team is focused on reducing payroll, resulting in a mixed outcome for their players. Outfielder Lars Nootbaar emerged victorious in his arbitration case, securing a salary of $2.95 million, while Brendan Donovan lost his hearing and will earn $2.85 million, much less than he sought. With these hearings concluded, the Cardinals are now awaiting the decision on Andre Pallante's case.

Donovan's struggle is particularly notable given his importance to the franchise's future, raising questions about the team's reluctance to settle outside of arbitration. This situation echoes last year's arbitration with utility player Tommy Edman, who was later traded. Despite the current challenges, fans hope for a competitive team and are eager for owner Bill DeWitt Jr. to be more open to spending in free agency.