The Nationals still play, still building. A weekend in San Francisco offered a snapshot of their future: Gore showed why he’s the present-and-future ace in six stellar innings, Abrams delivered a homer off Verlander, and Wood anchored a multi-hit, run-producing day with Wood and Lile contributing in the leadoff and middle order. Brady House and Daylen Lile added important knocks, underscoring a growing core that could turn Washington into a competitive threat next season. With a month and a half left, the focus is on confidence, habits, and proving they can contend, even if the season’s destination remains distant.

As the MLB season enters its final stretch, managers should explore waiver wire options to enhance their fantasy rosters. Notable category boosters include Miguel Vargas of the Chicago White Sox, who has recently regained form, scoring eight runs in six games. Brady House of the Washington Nationals is making waves with a .355 batting average and multiple contributions to runs and RBIs. Meanwhile, Giancarlo Stanton's resurgence with the Yankees, including a .375 average and three home runs in two weeks, makes him a compelling option for power seekers. In the race for stolen bases, Luke Keaschall's return from injury could be impactful, joined by veterans like Ha-Seong Kim and Isaac Collins, who are both showing potential for speed and consistent contributions.

As we reach the MLB All-Star break, the waiver wire becomes critically important for fantasy baseball owners looking to enhance their rosters for the second half of the season. This week, notable call-ups include Brice Matthews of the Houston Astros, a promising shortstop who dominated at Triple-A with 10 home runs and 25 stolen bases. Also on the rise is Brady House from the Washington Nationals, who has been on fire with a .333 batting average in his last eight games.

Pitching-wise, Bubba Chandler of the Pittsburgh Pirates is making headlines after a strong comeback, striking out 13 batters with a 1.17 WHIP over 12 scoreless innings. For fantasy managers, it's essential to stay updated on injuries and player performances as the regular season resumes. Below is a list of key players to consider adding from the waiver wire, ranked to help prioritize your moves:

As the MLB All-Star break approaches, fantasy baseball managers need to stay ahead of the curve with the waiver wire. This week, key pickups include Chase Burns, who recently made an impressive MLB debut with the Cincinnati Reds, striking out eight in five innings against the Yankees. Other notable additions are Brady House, Chandler Simpson, Jurickson Profar, and Hayden Birdsong, who can bolster rosters as injuries mount across the league.

Wyatt Langford, Luis Robert Jr., Zach Neto, Eugenio Suarez, and Michael Harris II are currently dealing with day-to-day injuries, increasing the urgency to explore promising alternatives. Following the latest prospect call-ups, managers should act fast to secure these emerging talents.

Week 13 of the fantasy baseball season presents some intriguing waiver wire options. Michael Toglia of the Colorado Rockies has returned from Triple-A after a rough season start, showcasing power with three home runs in his first three games back. However, his high strikeout rate raises concerns about his overall fantasy viability.

Brady House, recently called up by the Washington Nationals, brings promising power but has struggled with contact and chase rates in the past. His limited speed may hinder his fantasy impact. Lastly, Orion Kerkering of the Phillies has emerged as a closer but his declining strikeout rates and control issues could limit his effectiveness moving forward.