MLB's 2026 Return to NBC and Peacock
Major League Baseball announced that it will return to NBC and its streaming platform Peacock in 2026, bringing a suite of marquee events to the network’s primetime lineup. NBC Sports will air Sunday Night Baseball, MLB Sunday Leadoff, Opening Day and Labor Day games in prime time, the first round of the MLB Draft, and the entire Wild Card round of the postseason. The agreement marks a significant shift in broadcast rights and promises fans a broader slate of games across traditional television and digital platforms.
While the broadcast landscape reshapes how viewers consume the sport, fantasy baseball enthusiasts are turning their attention to the waiver wire, where weekly additions can tip the balance of league standings. The latest edition of the guide spotlights a handful of players whose recent performances suggest they could provide a competitive edge for roster construction.
Caleb Durbin of the Boston Red Sox has been a steady presence, batting .297/.356/.527 with nine home runs, 29 runs scored, 22 RBI and seven steals across 42 games since June 1st, making him a versatile option for teams seeking on‑base stability and speed.
Brett Baty of the New York Mets has surged in the second half, posting a .281/.300/.491 line over his last 15 games with three homers, 11 runs, six RBI and two steals, underscoring his growing role in the middle of the order.
Brayan Rocchio of the Cleveland Guardians has compiled a .278/.297/.472 slash over 18 July games, adding four home runs, 10 runs, 14 RBI and a steal, a combination that could translate into a reliable source of power and production.
Ryan Jeffers of the Minnesota Twins, returning from surgery, has appeared in seven July games and is batting .231 with two home runs, a modest sample that still offers upside given his prior track record.
Francisco Alvarez of the New York Mets is batting .286/.375/.429 in 12 July games, having launched two homers while posting a 40% hard‑hit rate, indicating a potential uptick in power output.
A.J. Ewing of the New York Mets has posted a .297/.361/.495 line over his last 30 games, contributing five homers, 13 runs, 16 RBI and four steals, a blend of contact and speed that could make him a valuable flex asset.
Tommy Edman of the Los Angeles Dodgers has been productive in July, hitting .333/.429/.450 with nine RBI and 13 runs scored in 17 appearances, providing depth in the outfield and on the basepaths.
Other recent hot streaks include Nasim Nunez of the Washington Nationals (.362/.412/.426 with 11 runs and five steals), Garrett Mitchell of the Milwaukee Brewers (.327/.389/.520 with three homers, 15 runs and 14 RBI over the last 30 games), and Bryce Eldridge of the San Francisco Giants, who has slugged .460 with four homers and a 15.8% barrel rate in 17 July games. Additional contributors such as Andres Chaparro, Cole Carrigg, Braden Montgomery, Ty France, Nolan Arenado, Lane Thomas, Yohendrick Pinango, Heriberto Hernandez, Griffin Conine, Tyler Stephenson, Joe Mack, Victor Mesa Jr., Petey Halpin, Jacob Gonzalez, Colt Keith and Joey Ortiz have each posted notable statistical spikes that could influence roster decisions.
The convergence of a high‑profile broadcast deal and a dynamic waiver wire underscores the evolving ways fans engage with baseball, blending on‑field excitement with strategic fantasy maneuvering as the 2026 season approaches.