Cain fades late in loss: San Francisco SP Matt Cain (12-11) surrendered three runs on five hits in 7 1/3 innings during the Giants' 3-1 loss at Arizona on Friday night. Cain notched six strikeouts and three walks as he took the loss during the Diamondbacks' division-clinching victory. He has now issued at least three walks in his past five starts and now owns a 2.88 ERA this year. "They are a team that really does play until the end," said Cain, who carried a shutout into the seventh inning before yielding all the runs in the next two. "They find different guys each night to spark plug the offense." (Updated 09/24/2011)
Injury Report
No information available at this time (Updated 2/12/12).
Fantasy Analysis
Cain was 6-1 with a 2.83 ERA his previous eight starts against the Diamondbacks and again had them baffled early before fading. He was originally slated to pitch Saturday's game, but was moved up to Friday as the Giants attempt to make up ground in the National League Wild Card chase. His move in the rotation will allow him to pitch in the team's season finale Wednesday against Colorado. Fantasy owners should continue to consider him a solid option in all formats for the start as he is 2-1 with a 4.94 ERA in four starts versus the Rockies this season. (Updated 09/24/2011).
02/10/2012 13:27 2012 Draft Prep: 12-team, mixed H2H draft
Which picks stood out in our initial 12-team Head-to-Head mock draft for 2012? Check out the results and read what Scott White has to say about some of the more interesting selections.
02/03/2012 21:08 Giants ace Lincecum says he signed shorter deal to keep options open
For the first time since signing a new contract that will keep him in San Francisco through the 2013 season, Tim Lincecum revealed his reasoning behind a shorter deal. He cautioned fans not to worry about his possible pending free agency -- both sides are keeping discussions open on a longer contract.
02/02/2012 12:21 2012 Draft Prep: Our 12-team, mixed Rotisserie draft
It's time for owners to start looking ahead to Draft Day. We get you off and running with our 12-team Rotisserie mock draft. Check out the results!
01/30/2012 12:03 2012 Draft Prep: Rotisserie strategies
If Rotisserie success is based solely on numbers, why not focus on the stats that matter instead of the names in the draft room? Scott White helps you capitalize on the subtleties of drafting for Roto formats.
It took Matt Cain awhile to live up to the hype that comes with being a first-round pick in the amateur draft and a highly touted minor league prospect. Something clicked three years ago, though, and he has been an incredibly consistent pitcher ever since. He now walks few batters as he is one of the majors' best pitchers at getting batters to swing at offerings outside the strike zone. When hitters do make contact, it is usually of the weak variety, generating few liners and plenty of popups. That's how Cain came to be a reliable No. 2 Fantasy SP, even though his strikeout rate is merely average. Now that Cain has an established pattern of consistency, there is little reason to doubt that he will continue to be one of the top 20 starting pitchers in Fantasy. (Updated 1/5/12)
Actual 
AccuScore Projections) Note: Points are rounded down.
= probable start