As the second half of the fantasy baseball season approaches, savvy managers should target breakout pitchers who exhibited inconsistent performances earlier in the season. This analysis identifies five pitchers who are primed for significant improvements. Taj Bradley of the Tampa Bay Rays, with a 4.60 ERA, showed flashes of brilliance, including a dominant outing against the Astros. Yu Darvish of the Padres has returned from injury and possesses the potential to regain his previous form. Kevin Gausman has had strong outings but struggled recently, making him a buy-low candidate. Hunter Greene from the Reds is recovering from injury but boasts impressive metrics that suggest he could dominate upon his return. Lastly, Dylan Cease of the Padres has underperformed but has strong strikeout rates, indicating a potential rebound.

Three top fantasy baseball prospects - Andrew Painter, Logan Henderson, and Trey Yesavage - stand out as potential impact players for the second half of the season. Both Painter and Henderson have already shown flashes of brilliance in Triple-A, while Yesavage is making waves in Double-A. Painter, a top prospect for the Philadelphia Phillies, is stashing material, especially with the Phillies’ rotation in flux. Henderson, while showcasing elite stats, faces a crowded Brewers rotation, making him a deeper league stash option. Yesavage, the Toronto Blue Jays’ rising star, is expected to make his debut soon, and his high strikeout potential makes him a must-watch.

The Houston Astros are reportedly considering adding depth to their pitching rotation as the MLB trade deadline approaches. While their current starters, Hunter Brown and Framber Valdez, have shown promise, the team may seek a seasoned veteran to bolster their options in the middle of the rotation.

One name gaining traction is Andrew Heaney, currently with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Despite a modest record and ERA, Heaney has established himself as an innings eater, ranking third on the Pirates' staff with 98 innings pitched. Analysts like Tyler Ward highlight Heaney's potential value, noting he could be especially effective if utilized by the Astros' pitching lab, similar to Yusei Kikuchi's successful stint post-trade last season.

Houston's familiarity with Heaney, stemming from his previous tenures with the Angels and Rangers, positions them as a prime candidate for his services. However, the decision to acquire Heaney will hinge on whether the Astros believe he can effectively contribute down the stretch.

Clayton Kershaw, the veteran pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers, showcased his enduring impact on the game during the MLB All-Star Game. Despite being selected more for sentiment than performance, Kershaw proved his worth by striking out star players like Vladimir Guerrero Jr. His heartfelt pre-game speech to the National League team emphasized the All-Star Game's significance, reminding players of their responsibility to the sport. Kershaw's prowess and respect from peers, including Paul Skenes and Logan Webb, were evident as he accepted accolades while hinting this might be his last All-Star appearance.

In a thrilling All-Star Game, the National League edged out the American League in an unprecedented home run swing-off, winning 4-3 at Truist Park. Vladimir Guerrero Jr. of the Toronto Blue Jays contributed to the game, going 1-for-2, while Alejandro Kirk also made a notable impact. Guerrero started at first base, struck out against Clayton Kershaw, and hit a single off David Peterson. Meanwhile, Kirk replaced Cal Raleigh and saw action as the American League attempted a comeback, culminating in a three-run homer by Brent Rooker.

In the backdrop, the Toronto Blue Jays are leading the AL East with a 55-41 record, two games ahead of the New York Yankees and three over the Boston Red Sox, who are on a ten-game winning streak. The Jays are performing well in July, winning nine out of twelve games, and are set to face off against the San Francisco Giants and the Yankees in upcoming series.