Or could we chalk it up to fatigue? Franklin went the entire month of August without allowing a run, in picking up 11 saves in the meantime.

Skip to now, in just 3.1 innings of work he has allowed 6 runs, 5 walks, blown a save and lost a pair of games. That might not mean much, but then again, he's only given up 6 runs the entire season before September. So have the NL teams finally figured out the adjustments Franklin made to become an all-star closer?

Ryan Franklin Stats, News, Photos - St. Louis Cardinals - ESPN