Adam Wainwright, SP, STL
Wainwright threw a complete game shutout on Wednesday in Pittsburgh. He allowed just two baserunners (two Colin Moran singles) and struck out seven while throwing a tidy 88 pitches. It was the 39-year-old's third complete game of the season (one 7.0 inning) which is tied for the league lead. After four straight 4+ ERA seasons, the savvy veteran has been enjoying a renaissance since the start of the 2020 season. With a career-high 30.5% CSW% (not counting last season), Waino is now 11-6 with a 3.27 ERA and 3.74 xFIP in 2021. He is currently on pace to have his best season since the 2014 campaign, in which he finished third in the Cy Young voting.
Joey Votto, 1B, CIN
On Wednesday night, Votto went 4 for 5 with a pair of homers and four RBI in Cincinnati's extra-inning loss to the Braves. The red hot vet hadn't homered in a few games, so he decided to double up to make up for it. His second home run was a two-run shot that tied the game in the top of the 9th inning. Votto has massively elevated his game since coming off the IL at the beginning of June. He now has 25 homers (18 since June 10th) which is already his best output since the 2017 season. The usually ultra-patient Votto has been much more aggressive this season with a 22.7% O-Swing% (career 19.7% )and 12.0% BB% (lowest since his rookie year). The change in plate approach has revitalized the 37-year-old and made him a fantasy asset once again. Votto's currently toting a .285/.375/.383 triple-slash line and an impressive .402 wOBA.
Corbin Burnes, SP, MIL
Burnes tore through a hapless Cubs offense on Wednesday night. He registered 15 strikeouts and gave up four hits across 8.0 shutout frames. Burnes has followed up his surprising breakout campaign a season ago with an equally impressive start to 2021. Burnes currently ranks second (min 100 IP) in both K/9 (12.79) and BB/9 (1.56), while his .37 HR/9 rate ranks first. That is certainly a recipe for success. His stellar 2.23 ERA proves that success, and what's even more impressive is that the advanced metrics prove it as well. Burnes' 2.17 xFIP and 2.59 SIERA are currently topping the league (min 100 IP).
Lewis Brinson, OF, MIA
Brinson went 3 for 4 with a pair of dingers in San Diego on Wednesday afternoon. The young outfielder has been on an absolute tear during his current five-game hitting streak. He is 11 for 19 with three homers, three doubles, and eight RBI during the streak. Brinson struggled mightily to start the 2021 campaign but is now toting a solid .282/.319/.519 triple-slash line. His hefty 29.0% K% and 4.3% BB% are less than ideal, but those numbers have improved in August (23.1% K% and 5.1% BB%). Brinson is owned in just 6.2% of ESPN leagues; if your outfield is in turmoil, he might be worth picking up until he cools off.
Antonio Senzatela, SP, COL
Senzatela dropped to 2-9 on the season with a 6.0 inning, three-run effort in Houston on Wednesday afternoon. It was a Quality Start for the 26-year-old, though he did allow nine hits and struck out just three. In 12 starts in 2020, Senzatela posted a 5-3 record to go along with a solid 3.44 ERA. So considering his hefty 4.71 ERA so far this season, you would probably assume he has regressed. However, that might not be the case. Senzatela's 3.76/4.18 FIP/xFIP in 2021 is considerably better than the 4.57/4.81 he sported a season ago. Additionally, his 6.34 K/9 is up (5.03 in '20), his 1.97 BB/9 is down (2.21 in '20), and his .77 HR/9 is also much improved (1.10 in '20). Senzatela is not a great pitcher by any means; however, it seems the luck he had last season has rather abandoned him here in 2021.
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