After concluding the first half of the season with a 10-game winning streak, the Boston Red Sox are poised to make aggressive moves at the trade deadline. The focus will likely shift to bolstering their pitching staff as Brayan Bello and Lucas Giolito have shown promising performances. MLB Insider Ken Rosenthal mentioned the possibility of targeting veteran Charlie Morton, who, despite a rocky start, has recently regained form with a 5-0 record and a 2.76 ERA in his last eight starts.

Morton, currently with the Baltimore Orioles, is on a one-year contract worth $15 million. Given the Orioles' struggles, they could be inclined to offload his contract to a division rival. Acquiring Morton could be a strategic move for the Red Sox, as it would allow them to strengthen their rotation without sacrificing too much in terms of prospects or salary cap space.

The second half of the fantasy baseball season kicks off with the Chicago Cubs hosting the Boston Red Sox, but the spotlight is on Eury Pérez of the Miami Marlins. The young ace threw a stunning shutout against the Baltimore Orioles, achieving six strikeouts and allowing only three hits. This performance earned him 26 fantasy points, matching his career high. Pérez's metrics have been impressive, highlighted by an increase in fastball velocity and exceptional spin rate, placing him among the top pitchers. He has a 2.37 expected ERA, just behind Zack Wheeler, and an outstanding .181 expected batting average against.

Pérez should be a primary pickup consideration as he remains available in 72.4% of ESPN leagues. Alongside him, other high-potential targets include Ceddanne Rafaela from the Boston Red Sox, who has made adjustments to his batting approach, significantly increasing his performance against breaking pitches. Nick Kurtz from the Athletics has emerged as a notable power hitter, hitting 16 home runs since May 20. Noelvi Marte of the Cincinnati Reds is showing promise after returning from injury, and Trevor Rogers of the Orioles has developed a strong changeup to stifle opponents.

The Philadelphia Phillies are poised to make significant moves ahead of the July 31 trade deadline, with a focus on enhancing both their bullpen and outfield offense. A noteworthy trade proposal has emerged, suggesting the Phillies could acquire Baltimore Orioles All-Stars Cedric Mullins, Felix Bautista, and Gregory Soto. In exchange, the Orioles would receive promising prospects Mick Abel, ranked as the No. 5 overall prospect, and Jean Cabrera, the No. 12 prospect.

This potential trade could fill crucial gaps for the Phillies as they navigate postseason aspirations. Bautista, currently enjoying a stellar season with a 2.41 ERA, would reinforce a bullpen dealing with the absence of Jose Alvarado due to a suspension. Mullins, who has been a consistent offensive presence, would significantly upgrade the center field position, an area where the current players have struggled. Soto, while not as dominant as in previous years, brings valuable experience to the pitching staff.

The USC Trojans had an eventful MLB Draft, with three players making the leap to professional baseball. Ethan Hedges, a dual-player and the No. 159 overall prospect, was drafted by the Colorado Rockies in the third round at pick No. 77. Caden Hunter, a left-handed pitcher and the No. 149 prospect, followed in the sixth round when the Baltimore Orioles selected him with pick No. 184.

In a surprising turn, shortstop Bryce Martin-Grudzielanek was chosen by the New York Yankees with the second-to-last pick in the 20th round (No. 614). This marks a repeat of his situation last year when the Toronto Blue Jays drafted him; however, he opted to return to USC. Last season, Martin-Grudzielanek showcased his potential, posting impressive stats with a .294 batting average, 44 runs, and 41 RBIs, along with eight home runs and nine stolen bases.

Lineup Lowdown continues to analyze trends in player performance and playing time, specifically focusing on those who may be undervalued or overvalued. Tyler O'Neill of the Baltimore Orioles has recently returned from injury but has struggled at the plate, leading to limited playing time. Ramon Laureano has outperformed O'Neill, securing regular spots in the lineup. The Boston Red Sox are experimenting with Ceddanne Rafaela, who has taken on a new role at second base while maintaining his center field duties. The New York Yankees are dealing with shake-ups in their lineup, including Jazz Chisholm's return to second base and Ben Rice's decline in playing time due to competition from Jasson Dominguez. The Tampa Bay Rays saw Ha-Seong Kim return to the lineup after a minor injury, while the Toronto Blue Jays are benefitting from Nathan Lukes leading off. Other notable mentions include Nick Loftin from the Kansas City Royals, who has been performing well, and Jorge Polanco from the Seattle Mariners, who is experiencing a power surge.