Can a newly single A-Rod smack more doubles and triples?

The Yankees slugging third baseman is due back in the lineup Friday night against Toronto for the first time since his split with Cameron Diaz – and fans hope the heartbreak means home runs….

Rodriguez, who was also linked with Madonna after his divorce, memorably dated “Almost Famous” actress Kate Hudson during the Yankees’ 2009 championship run.

The blond Hollywood honey received much of the credit when A-Rod reversed a disastrous post-season slump as the Yankees won the World Series.

– Larry McShane, N.Y. Daily News.

A-Rod’s hitting line, by celebrity girlfriend:

Madonna (August 2008 – end 2008): .258/.366/.511 in 50 games.

Kate Hudson (Late May 2009 – end 2009): .302/.419/.560 in 129 games, including postseason.

Cameron Diaz (July 2010 – Sept. 15, 2011): .274/.349/.498 in 156 games.

By my best estimates of when he started dating each based on the maximum number of celebrity-gossip articles I could stomach.

It’s worth noting that while dating Hudson, A-Rod enjoyed his best batting average with balls in play.

Oh, indeed.