Outlook Curtis Mead
Curtis Mead's power surge keeps him fantasy-relevant despite recent contact struggles
Curtis Mead has flashed impressive pop recently with three home runs over his last 14 days, though his batting average has dipped to .133 over his last five games. He has firmly established himself as the everyday starting third baseman for the third-place Washington Nationals (39-36). Mead's run-producing bat remains highly valuable in the middle of the order as the team stays competitive in the wild card hunt.
While his recent slump is frustrating, Mead's overall season line of 11 home runs and a strong .346 on-base percentage represents a massive step forward from his previous career norms. This power breakout appears legitimate given his improved hard-hit metrics and elevated flyball rate. Expect his batting average to rebound closer to his .233 season mark once his luck on balls in play stabilizes.
For the remainder of the week, the Nationals embark on a three-game road series against Tampa Bay. Mead faces a challenging matchup against Nick Martinez and his excellent 2.60 ERA on Sunday, but he gets a much more favorable draw on Friday against Griffin Jax. Given his secure everyday role and elite power ceiling, he should remain in your active lineups. Verdict: Start.
Updated 2 days ago
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Outlook Tommy Edman
Tommy Edman returns to action for the first-place Dodgers but belongs on fantasy benches for now.
After a lengthy recovery from ankle surgery, Edman was activated and made his season debut on June 17, going 0-for-3 with a walk. He joins a first-place Dodgers team boasting a 48-27 record and riding a three-game winning streak. While he is easing back into the lineup, his defensive versatility will be vital with several key teammates currently on the injured list.
Our models project Edman to bat .239 with 10 home runs and 10 stolen bases over 418 at-bats this season. While his 2025 campaign showed a sharp decline in speed with just three steals, his track record of consecutive 25+ steal seasons prior to that offers intriguing category-stabilizing upside once he is fully healthy.
The Dodgers wrap up the week with three home games against Baltimore, facing Trey Gibson (5.91 ERA) and Trevor Rogers (6.08 ERA) before finishing against Brandon Young. While these matchups against high-ERA starters are highly favorable, Edman is too risky to deploy right away as he shakes off the rust. Sit him for now.
Updated 2 days ago
