Three high-upside fantasy baseball prospects—Bryce Eldridge, Mick Abel, and Justin Crawford—take center stage as the second half of the season nears, with a focus on whether to stash them on benches or chase them on waivers. Eldridge could get a late-season cup of coffee with the Giants and bring a potential power spike, Abel has been refining his command in Triple-A with a path back to the majors via Minnesota, and Crawford offers a blazing speed profile and solid contact that could translate into multi-category upside if he reaches Philadelphia.

Junior Caminero’s recent power upside serves as a reminder why these bets pay off, and the piece stresses timing adds with lineup tools and injury trackers in mind. It weighs the risk of waiting versus grabbing an asset with true breakout potential, and it frames the decision as a late-season swing for league-winning relevance in deeper formats.

Jhoan Duran’s Citizens Bank Park entrance has Phillies fans buzzing after the deadline-day swap from Minnesota, delivering a dramatic closer presence that’s as much theater as it is blowout potential. J.T. Realmuto followed with a go-ahead eighth-inning homer that framed Duran’s immediate impact, underscoring Philadelphia’s bullpen upside as the team angles for a late-season charge. NBC Sports Philadelphia faced the usual broadcast-commercial tug-of-war, choosing not to flood the air with the full entrance every night, a decision that spotlights the growing clash between traditional sports TV and direct-to-consumer presentation. The piece also dives into the broader media-rights chatter around MLB: NBC’s potential win to overtake Sunday Night Baseball and Apple TV+ MLB’s streaming footprint, Netflix’s Derby deal, and ESPN eyeing MLB.TV, a package that would reshape how fantasy managers watch closers and late-game scenarios. For fantasy players, Duran’s arrival plus the Phillies’ late-inning offense elevates his value as a ninth-inning option, with venue and broadcast exposure influencing save opportunities and lineup leverage as the stretch run unfolds.

Sunday’s Phillies game goes streaming-only on the Roku Channel as Aaron Nola returns from injury, with a 11:35 a.m. start that ties Citizens Bank Park’s earliest. MLB’s Roku Leadoff package continues through 2026, a contrast to higher ESPN rates and a signal that streaming leverage is changing how fans watch early-week action. Nola faces Nationals lefty Mitchell Parker in a quiet but meaningful test, with out-of-town fans still able to watch via MLB.tv blackout-free.

Nick Castellanos remains in the lineup despite a hitting dip, while Zack Wheeler’s status looms in the background as Philadelphia weighs its rotation and bullpen moves. A storyline thread: Jhoan Duran being labeled the new closer in commentary about the team’s relief backbone. The Apple TV+ Friday game against Atlanta remains on the calendar, underscoring a summer of streaming-heavy MLB access for Philadelphia faithful.

Jhoan Duran’s latest health scare for Philadelphia turned into a sigh of relief as he declared himself 100% and ready for a push toward postseason glory in the NL East showdown with Washington.

Since the deadline deal, Duran has been a standout in the Phillies’ bullpen, posting a 1.86 ERA with 56 strikeouts in 53 innings and a tidy 1.106 WHIP, while walking just 18. A comebacker to the foot prompted a cart ride, but x-rays showed no fracture and Duran has pressed on.

His return fortifies a bullpen that thrives on late-inning leverage, offering Philly a reliable closer with high strikeout upside and strong ratios as the club chases October success. With the Nationals looming, Duran’s health and continued form are pivotal to sustaining the division lead and deep postseason aspirations.

The piece also touches on broader bullpen chatter and offseason talk surrounding relief-market moves, including a headline preview involving the Red Sox and Garrett Crochet, underscoring how Duran’s performance sits within a wider relief-pitcher narrative as teams eye upgrades for a title run.