Poppin' out of the box scores and right into your cubicle, the Roto Rush is your double espresso shot of fantasy baseball advice every weekday.There was reason for concern with Cliff Lee. After storming out of the proverbial gates upon his entrance to the so-called Senior Circuit, he stumbled. Lee's first five outings yielded a 5-0 record with a 0.68 ERA and a 39:6 K:BB in 40 innings. His next three? Ugly. He got a win (going 1-2), but his ERA in 15 innings was 9.60, after allowing 29 hits, 16 earned runs and 4 home runs.
Tuesday night, Lee re-announced his presence with authority.
More Fantasy Baseball: Need Big Help in Stolen Bases?
Sure, Lee was facing the Nats, but they have some good hitters. In fact, they roughed him up in his last start. This time around, he was in control. The lanky lefty hurled a shutty -- his 2nd of the year to go with his 6 complete games. He struck out 9 and allowed one baserunner per inning.
This is all he needed. He's back. You should have already been starting him in all leagues, but now you can do so with confidence.
Bits From the Box Scores:
- Yovani Gallardo may be cooked for the season. After being skipped due to concerns over his increasingly large workload this season, he got lit up by the Cubs ... to the tune of 7 earned runs in 5 1/3 innings. His arm didn't get a rest, either, because he threw 107 pitches (after walking 5). He hasn't worked more than 6 innings since August 9 and his ERA has risen an entire run since June 5.
- Yesterday, I said 2009 was a lost cause for Edwin Encarnacion. Maybe I spoke too soon? He's hitting .333 with a 1.030 OPS and 2 home runs in his past five games. Still, it would have to be a deep league for me to consider him just yet.
- Big day for Pat Burrell, unfortunately he can't do enough right now to salvage the disappointing season. He's like a microcosm for the Rays.
- Jarrod Washburn's knee may be his undoing for the rest of 2009. He skipped his first September start in order to get it healthy. He came back with a decent out, though he only worked 5 innings. Tuesday night, Washburn didn't make it more than 1 inning, allowing 3 hits, 2 walks and 4 earned runs in his only inning. I'd look elsewhere is most all fantasy leagues.
- Well looky who decided to join the party late? Daisuke Matsuzaka made his first start in three months, and he was sharp. Six shutout innings with 5 strikeouts and just 3 hits. He did walk 3, but we expect that from Dice. Take the bad with the good, as he won his 2nd game of the season.
- Seriously, what more can we say about Rajai Davis? Please add him immediately. I'm begging you. We've been hyping him for the past three weeks (if not more) in Rush and he's still owned in less than half the fantasy leagues out there. Since June 6 -- hardly a small sample -- Davis is hitting .338 with 31 stolen bases. Unless you need power, there aren't many guys who have been more valuable during that time.
- I just can't say enough about Tommy Hanson. Tim Lincecum wasn't near this good his rookie campaign. Of course, we'll see if Hanson can match Tiny Tim's sophomore effort in 2010. - Gotta give props to Paul Janish for a 3 double night, but he's still not ownable in the overwhelming majority of fantasy leagues.
- Sean West put together a strong effort against the Cardinals. He struck out a career-high 9, while only allowing 1 earned run in 6 innings. It's been an up-and-down year for the 23-year-old rookie, but he's got lots of promise. Keep an eye on him in 2010.
- Mark Reynolds has dipped his power a bit, but you can't complain about his 42nd home run -- which he hit last night.
- Ubaldo Jimenez has been sufficiently praised by me for the past couple months. He hadn't had a bad outing in two months, so I guess he was due. He stunk it up against the surging Giants -- 2 2/3 innings, 6 hits, 6 earned runs. Still, I'd run him back out there again next time his turn comes up. He's too good for this to mean anything more than an off-night.
- Ian Snell's last six starts? 4-1, 3.27. The problem is he has 18 walks and 16 strikeouts in 33 innings, but he's showing an ability to keep guys from scoring. This is a good omen the 27 year-old can get things going for next season.
The Afflicted: Andy Pettitte missed a start with shoulder fatigue. He suffered through the same malady last season in the second half and was awful. Lance Berkman is banged up (back, hip) and will be out for the next few games.
He's Back: Jake Peavy appears set to start for the White Sox this coming Saturday. If you held him all this time, you have to start him.
Lineup Lock Time: We're saddled with a 1:10 PM ET kickoff today, so hopefully your lineups are set.
