How’d we get to late June already? As expected, the Dodgers are running away with the National League West, while the Phillies are having an easier time in the National League East because of the slew of injuries to stars in Atlanta — still feeling the losses of Ronald Acuna and Spencer Strider. Sigh.

The Yankees and Orioles could give us a fun American League East race, as Juan Soto, Aaron Judge and Gunnar Henderson all battle for who will be the American League MVP. That Shohei Ohtani guy is mimicking Secretariat in the Belmont Stakes as he runs away with the National League MVP with what could be an assault on 50 home runs and 30 steals. Though we do miss watching him pitch.

What will be the surprises that come in the second half? We know they’ll happen and will be fun. As Chris Berman has said so often, “This is why they play the games.” Enjoy the back half of the season.

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Fantasy Baseball Waiver Wire Pickups: Week 15

Brandon Marsh (OF – PHI): 15%

Since coming off the injured list (IL) on June 15, Brandon Marsh has started eight games and registered multiple hits in three. The highlight was a June 28 game in Detroit, where he went 4-for-4 with a home run and four RBI.

Marsh is sitting mostly against lefties, but in leagues with daily lineups, he could be the valuable final outfielder who has a 52.3% hard-hit rate that’s in the 88th percentile in the big leagues. A homestand against Miami’s staff could mean big things for the potent Philly offense and Marsh is a cheap way to get a piece of the pie.

Heston Kjerstad (OF – BAL): 15% 

Fantasy managers who sprinted to the waiver wire to pick up Heston Kjerstad in his earlier stint in the big leagues were hardly happy as he started just four games from April 23 to May 11. It was head-scratching because he looked like he didn’t have anything to prove with Baltimore’s Triple-A lineup that could compete in the American League East.

Kjerstad hit .300 with a .998 OPS, 16 homers and 58 RBI in 56 games at Norfolk. Thankfully, the Orioles have started him in three out of four games since his recall on June 24. He even hit his first big-league home run on June 27.

Ben Rice (1B, C – NYY): 12%

A catcher-eligible player getting regular at-bats at first base coming off mashing in the minor leagues. Where do we sign up? Ben Rice hit 15 homers, stole nine bases, posted a fantastic .393 on-base percentage (OBP) and slugged .532 in the minor leagues before getting called up on June 18 when Anthony Rizzo got injured.

Rice has started seven out of nine games for the Yankees. While the .231 average is hardly anything to get excited about, the opportunity is there. Oh yeah, he’s left-handed, so that short porch in right field at Yankee Stadium is calling his name.

Michael Massey (2B – KC): 6%

Coming off the IL on June 24 after recovering from a back injury, Michael Massey was in the starting lineup for three of his first four games at the five spot in the lineup. He was the DH but should get back to second base pretty soon.

The 26-year-old has taken a step forward with his bat in his third year in the big leagues, as his .283 average — albeit in 33 games — is well beyond the .229 mark he had last year. That .504 slugging percentage and six home runs in the small sample size could mean good things to come as long as he stays on the field for the Royals.

Tommy Pham (OF – CHI): 5%

When a player hits his mid-30s, like Tommy Pham (36), some fantasy managers stay away seemingly because of the fatigue of familiarity. They want the hot new thing. So they bypass Pham, who even though he’s on the cellar-dwelling White Sox is still hitting leadoff for them. He’s started 13 straight games since coming off the IL on June 14.

In a year where offense is down, Pham could be a valuable trade acquisition for a contender and suddenly he’s in a better lineup. That should happen about a month from now.

Josiah Gray (SP – WAS): 4%

Yes, that 14.04 ERA is no bueno. Look ahead. Josiah Gray is on a rehab assignment from an elbow injury and is projected to re-enter the Washington rotation on July 5. This is still a 26-year-old pitcher who struck out 143 batters in 159 innings last year for the up-and-coming Nationals and will take a regular turn in the rotation. Anyone perusing the waiver wire in 12-team leagues will attest to the fact it’s just not pretty in those streets. Gray is a mid-level starter who could be slotted into fantasy lineups for the remainder of the season as long as he stays healthy.

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