A torrid September by Joe Mauer could help the Twins catcher win his fourth American League batting title in five years. To lead the league in hitting, Mauer will need a slumping September by Josh Hamilton, the Texas outfielder.
Mauer is hitting .327 while the league leading Hamilton is at .354. Both players figure to play in 30-plus more games before the season ends in early October. They could each have about 132 more at bats.
If Mauer has 52 hits in his last 132 plate appearances (.394 average) he will bat .343 for the season. If Hamilton produced 38 hits in 132 at bats (.288 average) his final season number will be .340.
Mauer is hitting .388 in August so another jaw-dropping month could follow. His season average has been climbing since July 24 when he was hitting .295.
Hamilton is batting .318 in August. Mauer fans have to hope that Hamilton will finish the season like he began it. In March-April Hamilton hit only .265.
The odds are against Mauer but his task of overtaking Hamilton is possible. Twins pitchers can help Mauer out when the Rangers come to town September 3-6. Both clubs face pretty much mediocre competition the rest of the season, although the Rangers do have a home series against the Yankees in September. Hamilton must also keep his stamina in the Texas heat.
Jake Mauer told Sports Headliners he believes his grandson will overtake Hamilton. Jake said: “I think he (Hamilton) will cool off in September. The bat gets heavier. He swings from his heels. …”
A fourth batting title in five years will place Mauer among the few players in major league history ever to accomplish that feat. He would then be three batting titles behind Twins legend Rod Carew who won seven.