Fantasy baseball pickups July 27: Red Sox bats lead ESPN waiver list
ESPN’s Todd Zola points fantasy managers toward Boston bats, Cade Cavalli and deeper waiver options after the Red Sox surge.
By Georgia Hale · Staff Writer
3 min read
The fantasy baseball pickups July 27 board starts in Boston, where ESPN analyst Todd Zola says the Red Sox have become the hottest lineup to mine after a 22-4 run since June 25.
Zola wrote that Boston owns baseball’s best record over that span and has scored at a top-eight pace during the surge, even though its full-season numbers remain weighed down by a slow start. For fantasy managers, the short version is juicy: several Red Sox hitters remain widely available in ESPN leagues.
Jarren Duran is the club’s most-rostered hitter, according to Zola, and he is available in 32% of ESPN leagues. The wider waiver appeal comes from Boston’s corner-infield options, especially with the Red Sox opening the week with four games at Sutter Health Park against an Athletics rotation Zola described as struggling.
Who should I add in fantasy baseball this week?
Zola’s top Boston name is Curtis Mead, listed at first base and third base and rostered in 21.1% of ESPN leagues. The Red Sox acquired Mead from the Washington Nationals over the weekend in a deal that sent left-handed starter Connelly Early to Washington.
Craig Breslow, Boston’s chief baseball officer, indicated that Mead will begin by playing second base and designated hitter, according to Zola, who expects him to be in the lineup daily. Mead’s 17 home runs and .500 slugging percentage would each rank second on the Red Sox, and Zola highlighted his 48.6% pull rate, 23rd in the league, as a strong fit for Fenway Park and the Green Monster.
Mead could also gain second-base eligibility after five more games at the position, giving fantasy managers another useful roster wrinkle.
Anthony Seigler is the deeper Boston dart. He is rostered in 1.2% of ESPN leagues and has eligibility at second and third base. Zola noted that Seigler may not play regularly with Mead now in the mix, but he has often hit leadoff when used and can move around the infield.
What is a two-start pickup in fantasy baseball?
A two-start pickup is a pitcher expected to start twice in the same scoring week, giving fantasy teams extra chances for strikeouts, wins and innings. The risk is that one bad outing can do extra damage to ERA and WHIP.
Zola’s two-start recommendation is Nationals right-hander Cade Cavalli, rostered in 29.9% of ESPN leagues. His matchups are difficult, with Toronto at home and Atlanta on the road, but Zola pointed to five quality starts in Cavalli’s past six outings, including games against the Phillies, Yankees and Red Sox.
After a rough opening stretch of a 4.12 ERA and 1.73 WHIP over his first five appearances, Cavalli has posted a 3.46 ERA, 1.20 WHIP, 109 strikeouts and 22 walks across 91 innings, according to Zola.
Deep-league names to know
Jake Mangum, Pirates outfielder, is rostered in 4.3% of ESPN leagues. Zola likes the leadoff role, 94th percentile sprint speed and 19-for-25 stolen-base mark, despite only two home runs.
Ian Seymour, Rays pitcher, is rostered in 19.9% of ESPN leagues. Zola wrote that Seymour has moved from swingman work into a more stretched-out role and has 45 strikeouts in 35 1/3 innings across seven appearances without a pitch limit.
Brady House, Nationals third baseman, is rostered in 0.8% of ESPN leagues. With Mead in Boston, House was recalled from Triple-A Rochester after hitting .301/.342/.500 in 50 games following his demotion.
For managers chasing category help, Zola’s list leans practical: Boston bats for lineup juice, Cavalli for volume, Mangum for steals and House for a post-deadline opening in Washington.
This story draws on original reporting from ESPN.com.