Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.By the looks of his season stats, you wouldn't know that Jordan Zimmermann has actually been one of the most dominant pitchers in the majors over the past month. We're talking a 1.90 ERA and a .198 batting average against. On that same note, Minnesota's Scott Baker is holding opposing hitters to a .205 average over his last five starts. The turnaround of these pitchers teach fantasy owners an important lesson about staying patient and swooping in when the time is right.
Zimmermann is four years younger than Baker and just starting his promising career, yet he's followed a similar trajectory for the 2009 season. Both pitchers were racking up great strikeout totals and generally keeping the walks down. But after a brutal month of May, many fantasy owners gave up hope that either would be worthy. Now they're throwing like No. 3 options, and have been steals for those who paid attention. Zimmermann's actually still unowned in 80 percent of mixed leagues.
Always keep the overall rate stats in mind when a pitcher is struggling. Is his strikeout-to-walk ratio strong and he's only getting bit by the long ball? Is there only one or two awful showings weighing his numbers down? Try not to place every start under the microscope and instead look at the body of work. After all, it's how we knew Ricky Nolasco would rebound.
Bits From the Box Scores:
• Don't expect to see Jimmy Rollins in the box scores for the next two games. Phillies manager Charlie Manuel has benched the scuffling shortstop temporarily, creating the perfect "fantasy felony" opportunity for astute owners. There's no better time to deal for a star then when he's sent to the pine. Panic is creeping in. Knox and I disagreed on Rollins' rebound chances in the latest cram session podcast, but remember, there's only one way to go from here -- UP! (good flick by the way).
• The Cubs are going to find ways to get Jake Fox's bat in the lineup. On Thursday, he benefited from interleague play and came through as the DH and No. 5 hitter. Fox smacked his first home run of the season -- a three-run shot that gave Chicago an early lead in the first. Whether he's getting play at third base, outfield or even DH, Fox could quickly become relevant in mixed leagues.• Remember when so many people freaked out (not us) after one brutal start by Johan Santana? Yeah, well he's pitched back-to-back strong games and gone seven innings in each. So much for that.
• Paul Konerko is a machine right now. He abused Dodger pitching with home runs in three consecutive games. Like I've said before, I think he has a good shot at 30 this season.
• Give John Smoltz some time. Yes, it was a bad start against the Nats, but he threw 62 of his 92 pitches for strikes. He'll be serviceable as a spot starter in mixed leagues as long as he stays healthy.
• Lance Berkman is just warming up. He smashed two out of the park against the Royals on Thursday. Remember, Berkman has been streaky over the last few years. In 2008, he hit 22 of his 29 homers before the All-Star break. In 2005, he hit 18 of his 24 homers after it.
• Frank Francisco is not ready to pitch in back-to-back games yet. The Rangers' pseudo-closer gave up a two-run home run to Mark Reynolds in Thursday's game, so it wouldn't be surprising to see C.J. Wilson back in the mix. And speaking of Reynolds, man is he having one heck of surprising year. He's on pace for 47 homers and 223 strikeouts! Yet, he's maintained a respectable batting average.
• A four-hit game from Chris Davis? I thought it was a misprint when I saw it. It's brutal watching his rough games, but manager Ron Washington is sticking with Davis. Since May 26, he was hitting .169 with one home run and 34 strikeouts in 23 games before this breakout game.
• I've decided Andrew McCutchen is my favorite 22-year-old player. How can you not like this kid? He's got 18 RBI and a .330 average in his first 91 at-bats. One of the only glimmers of hope for Pirates fans.
Position Eligibility Alert: According to the Minneapolis Star Tribune, Michael Cuddyer could get a start at second base this weekend with Nick Punto ailing with a rib injury. He hasn't played the infield since 2005, but it's certainly worth watching.
The Afflicted: D'backs outfielder Eric Byrnes suffered a fractured left hand and is expected to miss 4-to-8 weeks. Yankees' Xavier Nady removed himself from a rehab appearance Thursday after making an awkward throw from right field. Surgery now seems probable. It looks like Rangers outfielder Josh Hamilton could return from the disabled list prior to the All-Star break. Pirates catcher Ryan Doumit heads to the spring training facility to continue rehabbing his injured right wrist. Finally, a couple of bits of Mariners news: Erik Bedard (shoulder) is eyeing a return to action July 4 in Boston. And Kenji Johjima will be activated from the DL and start against the Dodgers on Friday night.
Down on the Farm: Keep a very close eye on National League prospects Madison Bumgarner (San Francisco) and Mat Latos (San Diego). They're much more than funny names. Both starting pitchers were very impressive again in Double-A on Thursday. For the season, Latos has a 1.89 ERA with a 38:9 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 38 innings. He also hasn't given up a home run. Bumgarner has a 1.96 ERA with 38 strikeouts in 46 innings, and he's only given up one homer. We'll be talking about them a lot more in 2010.
Saturday's Aces in the Hole: Paul Maholm (4-4, 4.48 ERA) got rocked in his past couple of starts, but I think he'll rebound at home vs. Kansas City on Saturday. Trevor Cahill (5-5, 3.68 ERA; 2.32 ERA in June) is a strong play against Colorado at home. Opposing batters are only hitting .230 off Jeff Niemann (6-4, 4.23 ERA), aka Gigantor, in June. He'll face the Marlins at home in a battle of the Florida teams. And if you're scouting for Sunday, Koji Uehara vs. Washington and Hiroki Kuroda vs. Seattle are my favorites. I'm surprised Cahill and Kuroda are so readily available in mixed leagues. Get 'em.
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