Michael Wacha, St. Louis Cardinals - Since returning from the disabled list Wacha has given up seven runs in five innings over two starts with four walks and six strikeouts. With Wacha's injury being of the shoulder variety it's not too surprising that it's taking him a bit of time to get back accustomed to starting, but how long can fantasy owners afford to wait before the Wacha from earlier this year returns (if he does at all)? Tuesday's start saw Wacha strand just 40% of his baserunners and he forced ground balls at only a 25% rate, which are both well below a typical Wacha outing. Let's wait and see how his next start goes to see if he can get over the five inning hump before saying it's time to abandon ship for Wacha this year.
Christian Bethancourt, Atlanta Braves - Bethancourt isn't receiving much playing time for the Braves down the stretch, but the time that he does he is auditioning for the Braves starting catching job in 2015. Rumors are swirling around Evan Gattis being traded this offseason to an AL team that can catch him and DH him, as the Braves are very high on Bethancourt behind the dish. In his brief time in the majors this year, he's hit slightly better than expected at .260 with five RBI and six runs. Bethancourt over a full season could probably hit .260 with eight homers and 50-60 RBI early on, and power could come down the road as he hit 12 homers in AAA before behind called up which is the first time he's hit 10+ homers in his professional career. He could be a late drafted catcher who provides decent value, but it won't come unless the Braves are able to move Gattis.
Ryan Braun, Milwaukee Brewers - Braun was held out of the lineup Tuesday as it is being reported that his lingering thumb issue has been bothering him more as of late. This would explain is miserable August where he hit just .240 with four homers and a 25% strikeout rate. If his thumb is going to feel like this the rest of the year, teams finishing their playoff runs with him won't be able to rely on him for his normal levels of production. Gerardo Parra started in right field (and likely will if Braun is forced to miss any large chunk of time) but he is unreliable for owners as he hasn't been able to repeat his breakout 2013 campaign. Braun's status is likely up in the air for next year, as if he continues to try to avoid surgery he will continue to fade as the season comes to an end.
Ervin Santana, Atlanta Braves - Santana dropped to 14-8 overall with a loss to Washington Tuesday, allowing six runs (five earned) over five innings with four walks and five strikeouts. The four walks were uncharacteristically high for the righty as he average around 2.5 per nine entering the contest, and the extra runners allows led to his 50% strand rate for the game as compared to his 72% rate for the season. His FIP now sits at 3.33 as he has been a great pickup for Atlanta and fantasy owners this season. Next year Santana with likely be taking to ball for another team, as it's unlikely that Atlanta will be able to match what the major market teams are able to toss out there for his services.
Adam LaRoche, Washington Nationals - LaRoche continued his amazing week with two RBI against the Braves and he now has driven in 12 runs over the last calendar week. He's also picked up nine hits over that same period of time with four of those leaving the yard. LaRoche is having a solid season for Washington and his 131 wRC+ ranks him 15th among qualified first baseman and his 23 homers are more than a pair of players who were drafted in the first round in Miguel Cabrera and Paul Goldschmidt. Owners are loving this hot streak by LaRoche during the playoff stretch of the season, and it's worth riding for as long as he can keep rolling.
Josh Sperry - @jsperry1991
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