Kyle Tucker, OF, CHC
Tucker was held out of the lineup for both games of the doubleheader against the Brewers on Tuesday, as the Cubs try to give him some rest amidst his recent struggles. The all-star slugger is going through an extended slump, hitting just .189 with 1 HR, 10 RBI and a .235 SLG in 38 games since the start of July. August has been even worse for Tucker, as he's gone just 8-54 (.148) without a single XBH. He hasn't been hitting the ball nearly as hard over these past two months with a 27.9% HardHit% since July 1, compared to 45.6% through the first three months of the season. More recently, he hasn't been able to get the ball in the air either, posting a 52.5% GB% through 15 games in August (31.4% through July 31). It sounds like the Cubs are planning to give Tucker a few days off so the team can try to figure out this issue. Based on Tucker's track record, we have to assume he'll get past this slump, but fantasy owners should anticipate some more days off following Tuesday's absences.
Edward Cabrera, SP, MIA
Cabrera was banged around for 6 ER's on 11 hits in 4.1 IP against the Cardinals on Tuesday, striking out 6 and walking 1 in the contest. That makes back-to-back subpar outings for Cabrera who allowed 5 ER's in 5.1 IP in his previous start. Before that though, he had allowed just 1 ER in four straight starts, while posting a 28:5 K:BB across 25.2 IP during that stretch. Despite the recent rough patch, Cabrera has been having a solid season with a 3.52 ERA, 3.58 xFIP, and 9.64 K/9 through 22 starts. He has lowered his walk rate to 2.98 BB/9 this season after finishing with a BB/9 above 4.00 in each of his first four MLB seasons. That bodes well for Cabrera turning things around and having a strong finish to the season.
Riley O'Brien, RP, STL
O'Brien picked up the save against the Marlins on Tuesday, pitching a scoreless 9th inning despite walking two batters in the outing. This was O'Brien's 2nd save of the season, both of which have come in August. JoJo Romero meanwhile has recorded 3 saves this month, but was asked to pitch the 8th inning on Tuesday. Romero was presumed to be the favorite for saves after the Cardinals traded Ryan Helsley, but he has been a bit wobbly lately, posting a 7:6 K:BB across 9.1 IP this month, and allowing 6 runs (3 ER's) over his last 3.2 IP. O'Brien on the other hand has been pretty strong recently, not allowing a run over his last 6.2 IP and allowing just 2 ER's over his last 28.1 IP. It looks like O'Brien is at least in the mix for saves going forward, although Romero should still see more save opportunities as well.
David Peterson, SP, NYM
Peterson was lights out against the Nationals on Tuesday, striking out 10 batters across 8 IP, allowing 1 ER on 4 hits and 1 BB. Peterson has had a great year, although he had been scuffling in August with a 7.04 ERA and 9 BB's in 15.1 IP across 3 starts prior to Tuesday's masterful performance. Overall his ERA sits at a strong 3.18 for the season, but some of his other numbers are middling, such as his 1.24 WHIP, 7.92 K/9, and 3.18 BB/9. He has excelled though at keeping the ball on the ground with a 56.2% GB%, which has really helped him limit the long ball. Peterson's 3.56 xFIP indicates that he should legitimately be viewed as a solid, if not spectacular, starter.
Bryce Miller, SP, SEA
Miller returned from the IL after missing nearly 2 and a half months due to elbow inflammation, and lasted 5 innings against the Phillies on Tuesday, allowing 4 ER's on 4 hits and 2 hits, while striking out 4. Miller struggled mightily this year before his trip to the IL in June, and those struggles continued in his first back start back from injury. He's now at a 5.87 ERA through 11 starts this season after posting a shiny 2.94 ERA in 2024. His K/9 has dropped from 8.53 to 7.21 this season, while his BB/9 has skyrocketed from 2.25 to 4.19. As a result, his xFIP has jumped from a respectable 3.85 to a disappointing 4.91. It's understandable not wanting to give up on Miller considering how good he was last year, but nothing indicates that he's close to getting back to that level.
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