The Atlanta Braves triumphed over the Toronto Blue Jays with an 8-4 victory, driven by a stellar performance from Austin Riley, who recorded five RBIs through two home runs, including a three-run shot in the fifth inning. Sean Murphy contributed with a two-run blast in the first inning, setting the tone early for Atlanta. Pitcher Grant Holmes dominated on the mound, striking out four and allowing just three earned runs over 7 2/3 innings. The Blue Jays struggled, with Easton Lucas giving up eight earned runs in five innings. Myles Straw’s solo homer marked Toronto’s first hit of the game.

Vladimir Guerrero Jr., playing his first game since a significant contract extension, received cheers from the crowd, but the team couldn't capitalize on his presence. Injury concerns loom for the Blue Jays with Max Scherzer on the IL and George Springer listed as day-to-day due to wrist inflammation. Looking ahead, Kevin Gausman is expected to start against Spencer Schwellenbach in Tuesday's matchup.

Easton Lucas faced a challenging outing on Monday night as the Toronto Blue Jays were overpowered by the Atlanta Braves, resulting in an 8-4 defeat. Lucas, who had previously pitched excellently, surrendered eight earned runs, marking his first earned run of the season. Austin Riley led the Braves' offense with five RBIs, including two homers, while Sean Murphy contributed with a two-run blast. Manager John Schneider noted Lucas struggled with his off-speed pitches, which were often up in the zone.

Despite a rocky start, Lucas's ERA escalated to 4.70 from a perfect 0.00. The Braves’ pitcher Grant Holmes performed impressively, retiring the first 12 batters he faced and finishing with a career-high 7 2/3 innings. The game was notable for Vladimir Guerrero Jr.'s first home game back since a lucrative contract extension. The Blue Jays look to rebound with Kevin Gausman set to start the following night against Spencer Schwellenbach.

This week presents a prime opportunity for fantasy managers to capitalize on streaming options, particularly with several two-start pitchers available. Jeffrey Springs from the Athletics is leading the pack despite a rocky start, showing promise with 16 strikeouts in 15 innings. Landon Roupp of the Giants, while facing tough competition, has the potential to impress after a solid start. Grant Holmes of the Braves has yet to find his groove but faces more favorable matchups, while Merrill Kelly from the Diamondbacks is a viable add despite mixed results. Taijuan Walker of the Phillies has shown improvement, making him a risky but interesting option. Lastly, Easton Lucas, replacing Max Scherzer, presents potential for high reward in his starts.

On the hitting side, the Yankees are in a favorable spot for fantasy owners, with strong offensive matches against the Royals and Rays. The Mets and Pirates also have favorable matchups, making their hitters attractive targets in waiver wire scenarios. As managers assess their rosters, focusing on these streaming options could lead to significant gains this week.

In the latest MLB prop betting analysis, attention is drawn to the best strikeout prop picks for the day, particularly for pitchers like Easton Lucas, Tarik Skubal, and Framber Valdez. Lucas, a young lefty for the Toronto Blue Jays, is highlighted for his impressive start against the Boston Red Sox, striking out eight in his last outing, leading to predictions of him surpassing 3.5 strikeouts against the Atlanta Braves, who struggle against left-handed pitching. Meanwhile, Skubal, despite recent performance dips, possesses a strong strikeout rate and is expected to exceed 6.5 strikeouts against a weak Milwaukee lineup.

Valdez is noted for his recent uptick in strikeouts, with potential for over 5.5 against a Cardinals team that has a 23% strikeout rate versus lefties. Other notable mentions include Sonny Gray and Jameson Taillon, both favorably positioned for their upcoming matchups. Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of analyzing pitcher performance trends and matchup statistics when placing strikeout prop bets.

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.