Out Of The BoxDaily news and advice on Fantasy Baseball. Includes "Box Score Bits," info on standout players, updates on players in the farm system, the latest MLB transactions and much more.en-us <![CDATA[Roy Oswalt continues strong second half]]>Houston's Roy Oswalt struggled to a 5.00+ ERA in April and May, then rebounded in June only to miss most of July with hip problems that have plagued him since the beginning of the year. Oswalt posted a 2.98 June ERA, but despite that midsummer oasis he hasn't been very valuable until recently. His hip injury rehabbed with a stint on the disabled list, Oswalt has stepped up his game in August.

After moving to 4-1 this month with seven innings of one-run ball in Cincinnati on Wednesday night, the former ace appears poised for a big September.

Roy Oswalt: 2008 by month
Month IP ERA WHIP K HR
Mar/Apr 30 2/3 5.87 1.40 21 7
May 40 5.18 1.38 28 9
June 39 1/3 2.98 1.25 39 2
July 6 6.00 1.67 5 1
August 43 2.51 1.09 36 2

Oswalt's progress is clear, and given his stable skill history entering 2008, it's probably safe to attribute his early-season malaise to his hip. A now-healthy Oswalt is recording more strikeouts and allowing fewer home runs. His one-hit, ten-strikeout effort against the Diamondbacks on August 17 says that he's capable of pitching like a true ace again, and his August results as a whole say that he's ready to do so more often.

Past editions: 8/27: Hard work pays off for Soto | 8/26: Strong outing from Pelfrey

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