Poppin' out the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.It must be nice being a Phillies pitcher.
The Philly sluggers put 12 runs on the board in yesterday's game against the Diamond- backs, giving them a total of 25 runs scored in the three-game sweep. Joe Blanton went eight innings and allowed three runs, which is going to be enough to earn a W on most nights when you're on the same team as these hitters. The team has now won eight of their last nine games and look to be the favorites to repeat as NL champions.
Ryan Howard went deep for the sixth time in his last seven games. This HR binge comes on the heels of a 14-game homerless drought, one that knocked me out of playoff contention in one league. Also impressive is his 19 RBIs over his last ten games, with 11 of those RBIs coming in his last four games. He's playing like an MVP candidate right now.
Jayson Werth joined the fun with yet another HR, his fifth in his last five games. While he's giving owners no reason to complain, Werth hasn't stolen a base this month, and has just four since the beginning of June. He was supposed to be a 20/20 guy; now we're looking at more of a 30/15 season, something that'll make any of his owners more than happy.
Bits From the Box Scores:
• With just one HR after the All-Star Break, J.D. Drew wouldn't have been in my top 100 guesses for people to have a two-HR game this week. Not only did he flash the power, he also threw in two more hits to finish the game 4-for-4 with two HRs, two runs, and three RBIs. Congrats if you were one of the few who started Drew -- now it's time to get him back on the bench.
• Welcome back, Wandy. After a horrendous 10-run shellacking in his last start, Wandy Rodriguez was back in form on Thursday against the Marlins, securing a road win by pitching eight innings without allowing an earned run, striking out seven batters in the process. We'll write his last start off as "just one of those days" and keep him in the lineup moving forward.
• Honestly, can anyone get this Julio Borbon kid out? The 23-year-old rookie had another three hits atop the Rangers lineup, with one being his first Major League home run. He's hitting .536 in the seven games since being recalled. Nelson Cruz returned to the lineup by blasting his 26th homer. Marlon Byrd added two HRs in the cleanup spot, and he's hitting .329 in August. Who do you sit? Derek Holland gets his third straight win against tough competition (Angels, Red Sox, and now Twins).
• Grand slams for Brian Roberts, Russell Martin and Brendan Ryan. Baltimore's Roberts has been on fire this week, with three HRs and two SBs to his credit in his last five games. I hope you were able to buy low during his June swoon. Martin has famously been without power this year, and last night's dinger was just his fourth of the season. Ryan is really helping out the deep-leaguers by hitting over .360 this month.
• After a bad July, we thought the Jason Bartlett party was over. He turned it around in a hurry, and after three hits yesterday his August average is at a crisp .388, a mark that would match May's average for Bartlett's best month. He also stole his 22nd base of the season. Double play-mate Ben Zobrist hit his 21st HR of the year and is starting to get his average on track after a slow start to August.
• Even though he gave up four earned runs, rookie Brian Matusz was impressive in the win against Tampa Bay. He struck out seven while walking none, and if not for Zobrist's three-run bomb, this would look like a fantastic start for Matusz. Jim Johnson chipped in his third save of the month, and the Orioles' new closer hasn't allowed a run since the second of August.
• Kendry Morales just can't quit hitting homers, and he jacked another one yesterday in an 11-3 loss to the Indians. It was his seventh HR of August and his 12th since the All-Star break. This night was all about the Cleveland offense, who tagged John Lackey for six earned runs in 5.1 innings. Seven Indians had multiple hits in the game, while Matt LaPorta had a double and three RBIs in his return to the big leagues. LaPorta makes for a great pick up in fantasy leagues, as he'll see plenty of playing time from here on out.
• We had a battle of dueling aces between Matt Cain and Aaron Harang, and neither came out the winner. Cain pitched eight innings of one-run ball and turned in just three strikeouts. Harang pitched seven innings of one-run ball, striking out just four. Francisco Cordero rebounded from a terrible outing to pick up the win in extra innings, thanks to Drew Stubbs' walkoff home run. Nice pick, Matt.• Bullpen news: Billy Wagner made his triumphant return to the Mets, striking out two in a 1-2-3 inning. Wagner cleared waivers, but the Mets will have trouble finding someone willing to take on his salary. David Aardsma blew another save (his second of the month). Is he tiring?
The Afflicted: Expect to be without Justin Morneau for at least the weekend, as he had to return to Minnesota to have his inner-ear infection looked at. Johnny Cueto hit the DL, much to the relief of the few owners he has left. Carlos Zambrano had a nice rehab start in Single-A, and I think he'll be back in four days time. Tom Gorzelanny might not be long for the rotation.
Lineup Lock Time: Nothing starts before 7:05 ET today, so take as much time as you need.
