Matt Cain (SP - Giants) - Matt Cain was getting flashbacks with the lack of run support yesterday. He hurled 8.0 IP and gave up just 1 ER, 8 hits, 1 BB, and struck out 3. He wasn't handed the decision, but he remains winless since July 24th. Cain is quietly having a tremendous season, posting a 2.43 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, and a 12-4 record. While those numbers are certainly an improvement from last year's 3.76 ERA and 1.36 WHIP, his power numbers have declined significantly. His K/9 has dropped from 7.7 to 6.8 while giving up more HR with a HR/9 change from 0.79 to 0.90. His walks have remained constant. While the K's may be declining, the 24-year-old Cain could just be learning how to pitch more effectively and, for a lack of a better word, more "maturely" rather than just overpowering every hitter he faces. His GB/FB of 0.67 remains in-line with his career and is actually slightly better than his career average.
Wandy Rodriguez (SP - Astros) - After getting pummeled in his last start for 10 ER, 10 hits, and 5 BB against the Brewers, Wandy rebounded and pitched a gem on Thursday night. He went 8.0 IP of shutout ball and gave up just 4 hits and 2 BB while striking out 7. Closer Jose Valverde came in for the save and closed it out for Wandy's 12th win of the season. Once again, the home/away splits tell a tale of two different pitchers. This season, he is like Cy Young when pitching at home with a 1.74 ERA, 1.00 WHIP, and .207 BAA in 83.0 IP. On the road, he looked more like Anthony Young (obscure reference) posting a 4.21 ERA, 1.53 WHIP, and .283 BAA. Rodriguez has a track record of this home / away split with a 3-year 2006-2008 home ERA of 3.68 vs away ERA of 5.65. His next start comes on the road against St. Louis on Wednesday.
Russell Martin (C - Dodgers) - Well, there's your 1 HR for the month from Russell Martin. His grand slam on Thursday was just his 4th HR of the year and his 35-38th RBI's. Martin was never a huge source of power, posting AB/HR rates of 41.5, 28.4, and 42.5 in the previous 3 years. But his current 97.5 is ridiculously off his career rate (not to mention his OPS is his lowest ever at sub-.700). You never know when an all-star can turn things around, but after a full-season of catching, I would think its highly doubtful for a catcher to break-out in September.
Everth Cabrera (SS - Padres) - One of the better kept secrets in fantasy, Everth Cabrera continues to hit in August. The Padres' SS is hitting .313 for the month with 9 RBI, 12 runs scored, and 5 SB in 7 attempts. He is also walking a ton, taking 11 free passes while striking out 16 times. The 22-year-old prospect deserves a look out of a weak SS position and looks like he'll continue to contribute in speed and average categories.
Brian McCann (C - Braves) - McCann hit another HR on Thursday, giving him 3 in the last 5 games and a total of 15 for the season. He's a far 2nd in offensive catchers (behind the MVP favorite Joe Mauer), but McCann continues to put up great numbers and has shown why he is at the top of all fantasy catchers list on draft day. He's currently posting a 0.68 FPI, slightly down from last year's 0.73 but still very respectable. His AB/HR is 23.6, in-line with last year's 22.1 and slightly better than the previous year's 28.0. One poor trend is that he is striking out at the fastest rate of his career, once for every 7.3 plate appearances (compared to 9.0 last year). While most catchers tend to tire late in the year, McCann has hit over .300 in September twice in the previous 3 years and is finishing August with a bang this year.
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