Outlook Curtis Mead
Curtis Mead's recent power surge has secured him everyday playing time, making him an intriguing starting option.
Curtis Mead is swinging a hot bat, hitting .279 with four home runs and 11 RBI over his last 14 days. His excellent performance against right-handed pitching has earned him everyday playing time, slotting in as the primary starter at third base while providing depth at first and second. This offensive surge is a massive lift for a Washington club that currently sits at 33-33 and third in the NL East.
While Mead only hit five home runs total over his first three major league seasons, his 2026 campaign features a sudden breakout with nine home runs in 51 games. Our rest-of-season models project him to add another 10 long balls with a solid .307 on-base percentage. Given his stellar minor league track record, the power jump looks legitimate, even if his batting average eventually regresses toward his projected .238 mark.
The Nationals play six games this week, starting with a road trip to San Francisco before returning home to host Seattle. Mead enjoys excellent matchups against struggling starters Adrian Houser (5.71 ERA) and Luis Castillo (5.53 ERA), though matchups against Bryce Miller (1.33 ERA) and Emerson Hancock (2.80 ERA) will test him. With his everyday role locked in, he remains an excellent lineup option. Verdict: Start.
Updated 16 hrs ago
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Outlook Luke Raley
Luke Raley Slumps in the Short Term but Holds Major Power Upside for the Week Ahead
Raley has run extremely cold over the last seven days, collecting just two hits in 20 at-bats for a .100 average while striking out nine times. Despite this, he remains locked in as the everyday starting right fielder for the first-place Mariners (34-32). His presence is vital as Seattle navigates injuries to key contributors like Cal Raleigh and Brendan Donovan.
The contact issues are frustrating, but Raley's prior 30-day stretch with a .260 average and five homers aligns with his 13 home runs on the season. Our models project him to add 12 more homers over 230 remaining at-bats. Given his strong power profile and .335 projected on-base percentage, this slump is a temporary fluke rather than a permanent decline.
The Mariners play seven road games this week against the Orioles and Nationals. This road trip features friendly matchups against struggling starters like Trevor Rogers (6.58 ERA) and Miles Mikolas (6.33 ERA). With high game volume against vulnerable pitching, Raley is primed for a major bounce-back. Start him with confidence.
Updated 16 hrs ago
