Jordan Schafer- ATL- Idea- Schafer, ranked as the top prospect in the Braves’ system before the season, has rebounded from his HGH suspension and extremely slow July. Last month he batted a weak .228 for AA Mississippi, but is cranking it up this month. Schafer is hitting .346 with 6 homers in 81 ABs. His August Batting EYE is only .33, but is almost certain to be called up on September 1st and may be getting an audition for the starting CF slot in 2009.
Ian Stewart- COL- Hot- Stewart went 2-for-5 to extend his current hitting streak to 9 games, in which he is hitting .459. He has feasted on a .304 BHIPx this season and with a Batting EYE of .36 during his streak, don’t bet on him maintaining a torrid pace the rest of the way.
Matt Cain- SF- Caution- Cain threw his third consecutive quality start, allowing 3 runs on 6 hits and 4 walks while striking out 6 in 6 IP. However, for the fourth time in a row and 9th time in 11 starts since July 1st he threw 110 or more pitches. Cain is only 23 and this kind of workload is not good for him, especially late in the season. It puts him at high risk of injury or ineffectiveness. Cain’s control is an issue, as he has walked 18 in 34-1/3 IP this month. Hopefully manager Bruce Bochy will ease off the youngster before real damage is done.
Brian Moehler- HOU- Cold- Moehler has been a feast or famine starter. In his 15 starts since the beginning of June he has allowed 1 or fewer earned runs 8 times and 4 or more 6 times (the other start was an 8-2/3 IP outing in which he gave up 2 runs.) Last night was a famine night as he gave up 4 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks while striking out 4 in 5-1/3 IP. If he’s on he will help you, but his stamina is not great. After going at least 6 innings in 5 July starts, he only hit that mark once in 5 starts this month. Overall, Moehler’s numbers are good, so he’s worth keeping, but he can hurt you in a head-to-head league. You just have to live with that risk.
David Weathers- CIN- Cold- In his last two appearances, Weathers has been roughed up a bit, allowing 3 runs (2 earned) on 5 hits and 3 walks in 2-1/3 IP. In his last outing on Tuesday he threw a season-high 44 pitches, half of them balls. Between injury, moving out of the closer role, and a shaky start to the season, Weathers’ value is far less than it was last year. However, in leagues where holds are counted, he still retains some worth. Weathers has accumulated 15 holds, most of them since assuming the 8th inning setup role just before the All Star Break. He has allowed only 2 of 13 inherited runners to score this year.
There are over 100 player news blurbs posted in the member area each morning. Members can read the rest of today's player news by clicking here. Not a member? Join today.
