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Berkman’s 80 RBIs represented his lowest total since his rookie season in 2000, due mainly to back and calf injuries. That said, the switch-hitting slugger still proved to be a serviceable run producer in one of his worst seasons in recent memories. Although the best days may be behind him, Berkman makes for a fine starting option heading into 2010.
Berkman stretched his hitting streak to five games as he looks to salvage what has been a disappointing season in many regards. His .274 batting average is his lowest since he posted a .237 mark in a limited role during his first season in 1999. His 80 RBIs also represent his lowest total since his rookie year of 2000 (67 RBIs) and his 73 runs is also a career-low mark.
Back spasms? What back spasms? The lower back pain that kept the big guy out of action for his last two games didn't seem to be limiting him at all on Friday as he socked his fourth homer in his last six games, rendering his 26-game homerless stretch from Aug. 12-Sept. 9 all but forgotten. On the year Berkman is hitting .275 with 22 homers, 73 RBIs and a .507 slugging percentage.
Berkman missed a couple of games after coming down with lower back spasms earlier in the week, but now that he's had a few days to rest up, feel free to let the big guy rip.
With the Astros lineup shuffled around due to Lance Berkman's back ailments, Keppinger found himself starting at the hot corner Wednesday for the second game in a row, with semi-everyday third sacker Geoff Blum slotting in at first. The veteran utilityman could see another start or two in Berkman's stead, but don't count on him flexing much more muscle at the dish, as he's generally known for his contact hitting.
Berkman may be able to do some baseball-related activities Wednesday, but don't expect much beyond that. "It's just the middle of my back has a spasm or some kind of a tweaked muscle," Berkman said. "That's all I know. Last night after the game, I went to lift weights and I got the dumbbells and sat down on the bench to do dumbbell bench. And I had to have [strength and conditioning coach] Doc Coleman come and get the weights from me. I couldn't move. It locked up on me."
Berkman's strained left calf has clearly put a crimp in his power game since returning from the injury in early August but the big guy has finally started to resemble his old, hard-hitting self lately having sent out three jacks in his past four contests with six RBIs. If you've been hesitant about sticking Berkman back in your lineup, it's finally time to plug him back in there.
Berkman owners can exhale after waiting 32 games for the veteran switch-hitter to connect for homer No. 19 (although umpires were asked to review the call). Only a strong month of September will salvage an otherwise disappointing campaign from Berkman, who is on pace to finish with his lowest totals in almost a decade.
The switch-hitting slugger hasn't raked with the kind of consistency that's expected of the multiple-time All-Star. On one hand, Berkman has rapped out six multi-hit games since he's returned from the disabled list, but on the other hand, he's also gone hitless in five contests as well. While it seems like Berkman is running out of time to round into form, one glance at his career totals should be all it takes to restore confidence in the big guy.
Berkman has raised his batting average back to a comfortable .281 during a nine-game stretch dating back to Aug. 16. The first baseman has attained 12 hits in 32 at-bats (.375) in that time frame. All that's missing is the power, which should arrive soon enough.
Berkman is 7-for-23 (.304) since returning from the DL on Aug. 12, and has scored eight runs in those seven games. While he hasn't homered in 52 at-bats, Berkman has been downright Berkman-ian in just about every other way. The homers will come, but everything else is already there.
Berkman hasn't hit with the kind of authority that owners expect from the hard-hitting veteran, possibly because he rushed back from his strained left calf to help the Astros in their run at the Wild Card. Although he hasn't busted out the heavy lumber since his return, Berkman has helped out with a .455 on-base percentage, which has directly led to six runs scored in five games.
Berkman wasted little time in proving that his calf muscle is fully healed. Don't hesitate to activate the switch-hitting slugger, who remains a Top 10 first baseman and heads into Thursday batting .277 with 18 homers and 57 RBIs.
Berkman's return has been pushed back a couple of times, so don't be shocked if he remains out until the weekend. Owners are no doubt ready to get the veteran slugger's bat back in the lineup, but it probably will pay off in the long run if the team ensures he's healthy before giving him the go-ahead to play.
With Lance Berkman set to rejoin the Astros in a few days, Coste's time manning first in his steed appears to be drawing to a close, greatly eroding what little fantasy value he had going for him.
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