1. Tim Stauffer (SP - Padres) - Stauffer just keeps posting the quality starts. If his run support was just a little higher, his record would be much better than 7-8. With another QS last night, he now has 10 in his last 11 starts and 18-for-23 on the year. His shutout performance last night dips his ERA under the 3.00 mark to 2.96. Stauffer benefits from home-field advantage at the pitcher-friendly Petco. At home, his ERA is 2.64 with a 1.19 WHIP but while on the road, its at 3.31 with a 1.29 WHIP. He'll hit the road twice next week against the Mets and the Reds.
2. Jose Altuve (2B - Astros) - Altuve continues to rake at the big league level. Another multi-hit game last night brings his average to .340 since being called-up (17-for-50). Altuve was posting a 1.017 OPS in the minors this year before being called-up. That included 10 HR and a total of 42 XBH. So far in the majors, only 3 of his hits have come for extra bases and they are all doubles. While the average is nice, it will be interesting to see if he can start to channel some of the power we saw earlier in the season in the minors to the big leagues. If he does, you'll want to be there to have Altuve on your team. Even just occasional power out of the 2B position can be a luxury in fantasy.
3. Carlos Marmol (RP - Cubs) - Perhaps Carlos Marmol has turned over a new leaf since temporarily losing his job as the Cubs closer. After manager Mike Quade moved Sean Marshall back into setup duties, Marmol has regained his control and is a perfect 3-for-3 in save opportunities. He has not walked a batter in each of those three outings (although he did hit a guy), and has thrown 65% of his pitches for strikes. In July, he only threw 58% of his pitches for strikes and allowed 11 BB in 10 IP. Marmol's inconsistent control has been an issue his entire career. His BB/I has been improving, but is still way too high for a closer. Over the last three years, he has posted 0.88, 0.68, and this year at 0.62. The good news is that Marmol has his job back, for now.
4. Freddie Freeman (1B - Braves) - It certainly isn't hurting Dan Uggla that Freddie Freeman has been swinging a hot bat since the start of Uggla's resurgence. After bottoming out at .217 in early May, Freeman has been on a tear hitting .312 for May, .287 for June, and .362 for July. He has started hot in August too, extending his hit-streak to 18 straight games with a 2-for-4 last night. For the season, Freeman's .842 OPS ranks in the top-10 in the majors among first basemen behind names like Miguel Cabrera, Albert Pujols, Prince Fielder, and Adrian Gonzalez.
5. Dan Uggla (2B - Braves) - I'm not sure what is more fun - watching Dan Uggla's numbers normalize or listening to fantasy owners complain that they gave up on Uggla mid-season. Uggla cranked another HR yesterday, giving him 23 for the season and 5 in the last 6 games. Uggla is not only on a steady home run pace relative to his career totals, he is now exceeding it. Since his first year in 2006, Uggla has posted yearly AB/HR rates of 22.6, 20.4, 16.6, 18.2, and 17.8. This year, he's back down to 18.0 with no signs of slowing down. Sure, getting the average back to normal rates will continue to be a challenge after his dreadful first half. Even with his recent surge, his average is still only back to .215. But if you bought him low right around the all-star break, you've been getting major results. Since the ASB, Uggla is batting .351 with a 1.110 OPS, 8 HR, and 18 RBI.
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