This week's analysis dives into American League free agents, examining their potential contributions as the MLB season progresses. Notable candidates include Sean Burke of the White Sox, who is showing promising form, allowing two runs or fewer in five of his last six starts. Dietrich Enns made a surprising return, throwing five shutout innings for the Tigers. The Red Sox's Richard Fitts is back from injury, while Adrian Houser has impressively turned around his career with the White Sox.

Dean Kremer is gradually improving for the Orioles, while Max Scherzer manages to stay relevant despite age concerns. Marcus Stroman is set to return for the Yankees after a knee injury. Other intriguing names for fantasy owners include potential two-start pitchers such as Tyler Anderson and Patrick Corbin, as well as promising relief options like Matt Brash.

Chase DeLauter, with the Cleveland Guardians, is making waves in Triple-A, showcasing impressive stats that include a .316 average and a .956 OPS. His ability to draw walks (18.5%) while keeping strikeouts low (13.4%) indicates a promising hit tool, which could see him called up if the Guardians stay competitive. He’s a viable option for fantasy managers looking to bolster their outfield depth.

Brandon Walter of the Houston Astros recently made his MLB debut, impressing with a shutout inning against the Tampa Bay Rays. His early outings reveal a solid five-pitch mix, particularly highlighting his cutter and off-speed pitches. With a high whiff rate, he's a potential add for fantasy leagues looking for starting pitching depth.

Didier Fuentes, a young SP for the Atlanta Braves, is a wild card after a swift rise through the minor leagues. Despite a rocky start in the majors, his fastball velocity and strike-throwing ability suggest he could develop into a valuable asset in deeper leagues, especially if he can refine his secondary pitches and maintain consistency.

The Chicago Cubs are poised for a chance to split their four-game series against the St. Louis Cardinals after losing the first two. In a commanding 8-0 victory on Wednesday, left-hander Matthew Boyd halted the Cubs' three-game losing streak, limiting the Cardinals to just three hits in six innings. Meanwhile, Shota Imanaga makes his return from the injured list to pitch the series finale before the Cubs head to Houston. Cubs manager Craig Counsell continues to test options in the batting order, notably keeping Dansby Swanson at the No. 5 spot despite struggles with runners in scoring position.

Swanson's .141 average with runners in scoring position underscores ongoing concerns, particularly as he ranks among the players with the most plate appearances in such situations. Grant Taylor is making waves for the White Sox, celebrating his first big-league save after a stellar performance against the Toronto Blue Jays. With the White Sox's busy schedule ahead, they continue to navigate through a series against the National League West teams.

The Chicago White Sox managed to dig themselves out of a rough first half of the season, highlighted by a 7-3 victory over the Arizona Diamondbacks. Sean Burke struck out the first three batters but faced challenges when Geraldo Perdomo reached on a passed ball. Josh Naylor capitalized with a two-run home run. Despite the win, the Sox hold a disappointing 26-55 record as they reach the halfway mark of the season.

Key players this season include Lenyn Sosa, who hit two home runs in the game, and Andrew Benintendi, who also contributed with a solo shot. However, injuries have plagued the team, notably to Luis Robert Jr., who exited early with hamstring tightness. There is also ongoing trade speculation surrounding him. General manager Chris Getz remains optimistic, highlighting the potential for development among younger players, including Miguel Vargas, who has shown significant improvement.

Luis Robert Jr.'s early exit from Wednesday's game against Arizona raised concerns about his trade value as the White Sox consider moving him. Suffering from left hamstring tightness, Robert is having a challenging season, posting a .185 batting average, and may no longer be the asset the team hoped to trade. Despite the struggles, he has showcased defensive prowess with 22 stolen bases this season. In Robert's absence, the White Sox achieved a 7-3 victory led by strong performances from Sean Burke and rookie Lenyn Sosa, who had a standout game with two home runs and four RBIs.

Sean Burke rebounded from a rough start to pitch five solid innings, while Sosa's offensive explosion highlights his potential as a future cornerstone for the team. The White Sox are also managing injuries to their starting pitchers, with Jonathan Cannon on the mend from a back issue and Davis Martin recovering from a forearm strain. Manager Will Venable indicated that Cannon's successful rehab outing could see him return soon, while Martin is being cautious to avoid setbacks.