Today, we’re going to take a look around the majors at a few things that are catching our eye of late.

• Chase Headley simply isn’t slowing down. As great as his August was – good enough to make him the first Padre to be NL Player of the Month since Tony Gwynn in May 1997 – he’s smoking it even more this month. How about a .344 mark with six dingers, 21 RBI and a steal? Headley took a big step forward last year, but what he’s done in 2012 is simply mind-blowing and makes us wonder where he’ll land in next year’s drafts.
• Drew Storen, one of our second-half sleeper picks, has now allowed one run over his last 15 appearances. We hope you were listening to the Podcast.
• Assuming Max Scherzer maintains a strikeout rate of over 11 Ks/9 (currently it’s at 11.28), he will become the seventh pitcher to ever average at least 11 Ks per 9 over at least 150 IP of work. But if can’t bring his ERA below 3.40 (currently at 3.78), he’ll wind up with the highest ERA ever recorded by pitcher under these circumstances, topping the 3.40 that Kerry Wood put up in 1998. That’s some bittersweet history that Mad Max is making. Scherzer, by the way, is questionable to make his next start Sunday thanks to a shoulder woe.
• Travis Hafner, out with a back injury since early August, is set to rejoin the Tribe this week. Does that excite you? If so, let me guess: shiny things and puppies distract you, right?
• The Nats just got swept by the Braves, yet still have the best record in baseball. Their magic number to clinch a playoff spot is three. Yup, the party should be happening at some point this week.

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Other than a middling May (in which he still hit a season-best six homers with 19 RBI), Butler has been money all year long. His lowest OPS by month was that May at 818. That’s not too shabby! more

For that I give him huge kudos. Good for you, Michael, for using your station in life to do your part to educate and enlighten people, or at least try to make the world a better place. more

He’s certainly wound up on a ton of waiver wires. In fact, he’s probably available in the majority of mixed leagues right now. Sharp owners may want to rectify that situation. more

There’s also the concern about the slight tear in his knee that could require arthroscopic surgery if Jones can’t handle the pain. I’d wait for him to get on a bit of a roll and try to trade him. more