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 all accounts, this has been a season to forget for Josh Hamilton. While it would have been hard to meet the expectations that come after a 32-HR, 130-RBI season (Hamilton's numbers in 2008), no one could have predicted a fall this precipitous.
After a .242, two-HR April, we called it a rough start. Hamilton followed that up with a .237 May and went on the shelf for a month. The struggling Texas outfielder entered the All-Star break hitting .243 with just six HRs on the season. By August 2, his average was down to .220.
And then, something finally clicked.
Since that low point at the beginning of August, Hamilton has seven multi-hit games in ten outings, raising his average 40 points to .260 on the season. The latest stellar outing was a 4-for-4, two-double night against Cleveland on Thursday, a game the Rangers won 4-1. This gave Hamilton an incredible nine hits in his 12 at-bats against Cleveland this series. The power isn't back yet, but this latest hot streak is very encouraging for owners that have stashed the slumping Hamilton, waiting for some signs of life.
We had just nine games on the schedule Thursday, but that doesn't mean we have any less to discuss.
Bits From the Box Scores:
• In a game that featured several good power hitters, Cincinnati's Jonny Gomes stole the show, hitting homers in his first three at-bats against Washington. Gomes had been a platoon OF throughout the season, but he's been seeing more work than usual in August, and on this day at least, it paid off. I don't think he was in many fantasy lineups for this power spectacle, nor do I think he should be grabbed out of free agency.
• In the same game, Bronson Arroyo held what is usually a very potent Washington offense to two hits and a walk in a complete-game shutout. Arroyo now has quality starts in his last four outings, and in six of his last seven starts. Despite his recent success, the lack of strikeouts -- Arroyo has only six total strikeouts in 23 August innings -- is disconcerting.
• Another start, another great performance from Cliff Lee. This latest win (8 IP, 1 ER, 8 Ks) makes Lee 3-0 with a 1.13 ERA in his three starts with the Phillies. Not that it matters in your fantasy league, but Lee is also swinging a hot bat, going 1-for-3 today with his second double since coming to the National League. If Cole Hamels can turn around his rough August, this team will be tough to beat in the playoffs.
• It's about time Ryan Howard went yard again. It had been 14 games since the slugger had blasted one out of the park, but he came through on Thursday with a three-run shot, his 27th home run of the season, in the fourth inning. He also added his fifth steal of the season, and he hasn't been caught once on the base paths. With the way Jimmy Rollins has been swinging (five HRs in August), I almost got him and Howard confused. OK, maybe not.
• Coming off a great July (.293, 5 HR, 19 RBI), Hideki Matsui was having trouble carrying the magic over to August. He had no problems last night, homering twice as part of a 4-for-5, four-run, five-RBI night. With Alex Rodriguez on the bench, Matsui hit cleanup and led the Yankees to a blowout win against the Mariners. CC Sabathia picked up a win for the fifth time in his last six starts.• Break out the humidors: Nothing was keeping the ball in the park in Thursday's San Diego-Milwaukee game. The teams combined for seven HRs. Prince Fielder and Mike Rivera each had two for the Brewers, and Ryan Braun had one for the team. Adrian Gonzalez and Oscar Salazar went deep for the Padres. Gonzalez's blast was his 30th of the season, and Fielder now has 29 this year.
• A pitching duel broke out in Boston. It was encouraging to see Clay Buchholz perform well (7 IP, 1 ER), but the real story was Justin Verlander, who threw eight shutout innings, striking out eight batters in the process of earning his 13th win. Verlander was coming off two five-run starts, so his owners must be happy to see the dominance return. Stick with Verlander every time out.
• Troy Tulowitzki has been one of the hottest players this month. He hit his third homer in his last four games in Thursday's win, and a .367/.392/.755 August line speaks to his growth as a hitter. Tulowitzki's OPS currently stands at .905, which is remarkable considering it was .683 on June 6. He's a top-five SS heading into 2010, and a must-keep for any dynasty owner.
• In the midst of hitting .435 in August, Joe Mauer is working on making another run at .400 on the season. His average is now up to .370 after Thursday's 2-for-4, one-HR and four-RBI game. Of the elite catchers, Mauer was the one with the question marks heading into the season, but he's outperformed all at the position, and quite a few at other positions as well.
• Coming to the bullpen, Joakim Soria put together a two-inning save to send Mauer and the Twins home with a loss. The elite closer has only been used in three games in August, and this was just his second save opportunity of the month. The other was of the two-inning variety as well.
• Rookie Neftali Feliz has been outstanding since joining the Rangers bullpen. He had enormous control problems in the minors, but he has yet to walk a batter in 6.2 innings in the bigs. On Thursday, he struck out five batters in two innings, giving him 13 Ks. Yes, he's averaging about two Ks per inning right now. It'll be interesting to see if he can overcome the struggles he'll eventually have, but for now he makes a great bullpen add to your team.They Tried to Make Me Go to Rehab: Tim Hudson threw four innings for Triple-A Gwinnett, allowing two runs and striking out three. He's likely two weeks away. Jake Peavy looked much better in his Triple-A start, going three innings while striking out five and giving up no runs. He should also be back in two weeks. Torii Hunter homered in Single-A and remains on track to be back with the Angels this weekend. I'm activating him next week.
Down on the Farm: Jeff Clement is loving the International League. Since being acquired by the Pirates, Clement has hit .320 with six homers in 13 games. On Thursday, he came through with three hits and a walk, plating two runs. If he keeps this up, he'll be manning first base in Pittsburgh in no time.
Lineup Lock Time: The Pirates-Cubs game kicks off at 2:20 ET, and everything else starts at 7:05 ET or later.
