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.All season long, we've been waiting for David Price to deliver on the hype. But Price's year has been up and down, with counting stats that resemble waiver-wire fodder outside of his strikeout total. Well, there's another Rays starter that may be on track to finish 2009 stronger than Price, and is well worth a spot in all keeper leagues.
Wade Davis, you now have our unbridled attention.
In just his third major-league start, the 24-year-old Davis pitched a complete-game shutout against the Orioles with 10 strikeouts to boot. "I am a firm believer that a young guy like that, if he has a chance to throw a complete game and a shutout, it can really catapult him," manager Joe Maddon said. Take a look at how Davis finished out the game:
- F. Pie struck out swinging.
- N. Reimold struck out looking.
- N. Markakis stuck out swinging.
Davis was shellacked by the Red Sox in his previous start for eight runs, but Baltimore only managed four hits against him. We know rookies will have ups and downs, so the stinker against Boston wasn't a surprise. The important thing to remember is this: he's got a promising future and should be on everyone's radar.
With a .194 batting average against and 22 strikeouts in 18 2/3 innings, Davis is worth adding in very deep mixed leagues, and might even make an appearance on R.J. White's Stream Team next time.
Bits From The Box Scores
• Sick of your under-performing catcher during a run for the money? Check out Miguel Olivo, who quietly smacked his fourth homer over his last nine games. He has eight homers and 23 RBI since the All-Star break. Geovany Soto has just 16 RBI since the break, yet is owned in over 30% more leagues.
• Speaking of cheap catchers, Kurt Suzuki has been a consistent RBI machine over the past few months. With a three-RBI showing against Cleveland, Suzuki reached the 15-RBI plateau for his third straight month.
• Edwin Jackson's fantasy value continues to plummet. Honestly, I've cut him in a 10-team league and advise you do the same. Jackson was rocked against the Royals, as he gave up five earned runs in five innings of work. Since the All-Star break, he has an unsightly 4.79 ERA. It's been even uglier over his last four starts (6.12 ERA).
• Mariners second baseman Jose Lopez was part of Knox Bardeen's draft kit edition of New Studs on the Block. As the season comes to a close, Lopez is showing exactly why he was included. After hitting his 24th HR of the season Thursday, it's only a matter of time before Lopez reaches 25 for the first time in his career.• Andrew Bailey, who quietly picked up his 25th save of the year, might be undervalued in 2010 fantasy drafts. But with 85 strikeouts, 1.95 ERA, and a .176 batting average against, there's no reason why you shouldn't consider Bailey a top-10 option next season. He's Joe Nathan Lite.
• Chris Coghlan is like a 2009 version of Freddy Sanchez. Awesome batting average and runs, but not enough power or steals to play him as anything other than a middle infielder in shallow leagues. Coghlan laced four hits at Cincinnati and his post-break batting average sits at .363. Still underrated.
• John Danks is once again closing out the season on a strong note. The wins aren't there, but Danks hasn't given up over three earned runs in his past eight starts.
Welcome Back: Rookie of the Year candidate J.A. Happ is ready to return from an oblique injury. He tossed a successful bullpen session Wednesday and will make his start Friday against the Braves. Happ, who has been a must-start with a 2.77 ERA and 10 wins, should be activated in most leagues, though he may be rusty after not pitching since September 2. He's posted a 2.70 ERA over 16 2/3 innings vs. Atlanta this season.
The Afflicted: According to ESPN Chicago, the Cubs are not shutting Rich Harden down for the rest of the season. Tom Gorzelanny will pitch in Harden's spot Monday. However, it does look like the Brewers are getting closer to shutting down Yovani Gallardo because the club wants to limit his workload. Shane Victorino is hoping to return to the lineup Friday after leaving Thursday's game with a stomach problem.
Lineup Lock Time: It's a packed Friday night, with games beginning at 7:05 PM ET.
