A new piece on PopEater asks what it is that’s keeping Alex Rodriguez’s — um –  “bat” — um — “on fire.” So, why might the Yankee hitter be doing so well?

PopEater actually got a respected Buddhist academic to weigh in near the top of the article:

Kate (along with her mama Goldie) is a tried-and-true Buddhist and the Eastern religion’s influence could be bolstering A-Rod’s game.

“Buddhism encourages calm and concentration and helps to reduce the overly narcissistic idea of the self,” explains Dr. David Germano, Associate Professor of Buddhism and Tibetan Studies at the University of Virginia to PopEater. “This can help a person to immerse themselves in the interdependent flow of relationships on the playing field.”

Well said, Dr. Germano. Too bad this notion disappears with PopEater’s next paragraph:

“Or, perhaps it’s the great, movie star sex.”

Update: The New York Post is claiming that A-Rod is “trying Buddhism on for size.”