Red Sox bullpen collapse derails a potential Fenway sweep as Jordan Hicks surrenders four runs in the brutal second inning, spotlighting a shaky middle relief corps in a pivotal late-regular-season stretch. Boston’s manager remains publicly confident in Hicks, while stressing the need for consistent execution from a bullpen that also features Whitlock in a setup role. With 21 games left and a weekend series against Arizona looming, the rotation and bullpen must stabilize to sustain a postseason push.

Key names surface: Hicks’s high ERA and WHIP, Bernardino’s mid-innings stint, and Whitlock’s role as the trusted bridge. The Guardians capitalize on Boston’s missteps, and Boston’s decision to field a bullpen game underscores how every late-season outing matters for fantasy managers tracking bullpen usage, leverage spots, and potential save opportunities as the race tightens.

The All-Star break has come and gone, marking the time to sharpen fantasy baseball strategies as teams push towards the finish line. While recent weeks have been quiet regarding prospect call-ups, a plethora of talent exists in Triple-A, with several players poised to impact lineups as we enter the final stretch of the season. This week, the focus is on elite prospects ideal for redraft leagues in 2025.

Top prospects like Andrew Painter and Spencer Jones are making headlines with outstanding performances. Jones, in particular, is on fire, having hit 10 home runs in just 16 Triple-A games while showcasing a remarkable .426 batting average. Meanwhile, Brandon Sproat has transformed his game, boasting a 0.00 ERA over his last four starts. Each of these players offers significant fantasy potential, whether via immediate call-up or impactful performances in the future.

Week 17 of the 2025 Fantasy Baseball season brings an exciting set of waiver wire pickups for points leagues. With several players available in over 50% of leagues, these free-agents offer potential to transform your roster. Romy Gonzalez, listed at just 12% on ESPN, has excelled against lefties, slashing .389 against them and coming off a hot streak. Nolan Schanuel of the Angels, surprisingly low at 17%, ranks high among first basemen and faces a favorable schedule. Ernie Clement continues to build momentum facing lefties, and Gavin Sheets also remains a strong option against right-handers.

Second base offers Romy Gonzalez and Otto Lopez, the latter also showing promise against righties. While Jeff McNeil and Jonathan India are worth considering, both have had inconsistent performances. The third base position is slightly weaker this week, with Ernie Clement leading the charge. In the outfield, Chandler Simpson is showing great form with an average above .300 at home, while Tyler Freeman can be a sneaky addition due to favorable matchups in Coors Field. These insights will help you navigate the waiver wire effectively as we approach the final stretch of the season!

Cameron LaViolette, Texas A&M's all-time home run leader, was selected 27th overall by the Cleveland Guardians in the 2025 MLB Draft. Despite a challenging final season, his performance in the SEC Tournament solidified his legacy as an Aggie legend. With records in home runs and walks, LaViolette’s talent is undeniable, showing potential for a promising career ahead.

Entering the draft ranked as the 27th prospect in 2022, LaViolette's impressive stats include a .305 average and 29 homers in his sophomore season. Selected by the Guardians, he likely starts his professional journey in the minors before climbing the ranks. This value pick for Cleveland could pay dividends if he addresses his consistency at the plate.