Picks of the day

A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox

• ML-leading 12-game hit streak
• .393 AVG, 7 multi-hit efforts during streak

Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals

• 11-game hit streak
• Tied for ML lead with 98 H

Top 5 current leaders

1. spooky93, 33 games
2. jmc51966, 29 games
3. jml985, 27 games
4. richbarone, 26 games
4. sk48366, 26 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

There was little change at the top of the BTS leaderboard, as the Top 5 fans all held onto their spots.

The top two placeholders got just enough from Ichiro Suzuki (1-for-5), pushing their respective streaks to 33 and 29 games.

One significant streak of 24 games came to an end after Minnesota’s Alexi Casilla went 0-for-3, dropping the fan from a tie for sixth place.

No members of the Top 10 went with Chipper Jones or Placido Polanco, though the Braves’ thumping third baseman (2-for-5) and the Tigers’ sizzling second baseman (4-for-4) both delivered more than enough to justify their rankings as the two most popular picks of the day.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chipper Jones (ATL): 9.5%, 2-for-5
2. Placido Polanco (DET): 9.0%, 4-for-4
3. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 4.9%, 1-for-5
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 2.7%, 0-for-4
5. Lance Berkman (HOU): 2.5%, 2-for-3

Picks of the day

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

• 3-for-3 vs. CIN RHP Bronson Arroyo
• Arroyo: .303 BAA in ’08

Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers

• 7-for-11 since ’03 vs. SF LHP Barry Zito
• .475 AVG during 9-game hit streak

Top 5 current leaders

1. spooky93, 32 games
2. jmc51966, 28 games
3. jml985, 26 games
4. richbarone, 25 games
4. sk48366, 25 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results
  
The BTS leader continued his impressive run, boosting his streak to 32 games thanks to a 1-for-4 day from Washington shortstop Cristian Guzman.

A 1-for-4 performance from Lance Berkman helped another fan extend his streak to 28 games. He took over sole possession of second place after Chipper Jones — the most popular pick of the day at 8.4 percent — went 0-for-2 with two walks to end another streak of 27 games.

Also falling from the leader board was one of the fifth-place streakers, who had the misfortune of picking Jacoby Ellsbury on a day when the rookie speedster didn’t start. Ellsbury grounded into a fielder’s choice in his lone at-bat, ending the fan’s run at 24 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chipper Jones (ATL): 8.4%, 0-for-2
2. Lance Berkman (HOU): 5.8%, 1-for-4
3. Grady Sizemore (CLE): 4.0%, 1-for-5
4. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 3.4%, 2-for-5
5. Jermaine Dye (CWS): 3.0%, 2-for-4

Picks of the day

Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals

• Second in ML with 94 H
• 2-for-4 since ’03 vs. MIN RHP L. Hernandez (.357 BAA in ’08)

Jose Guillen, OF, Royals

• 10-game hitting streak
• .500 AVG, 8 multi-hit efforts during streak

   
Top 5 current leaders

1. spooky93, 31 games
2. jmc51966, 27 games
2. rupp44, 27 games
4. jml985, 25 games
5. garganto, 24 games
5. richbarone, 24 games
5. sk48366, 24 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

Hanley Ramirez entered the day’s action with just one hit in 17 at-bats over his previous four games, but that didn’t deter the BTS top dog from selecting the Marlins shortstop.

The hunch paid off with a 2-for-5 game, boosting the leader’s streak to 31 games.

With Chipper Jones batting nagging injuries in his quest to remain above .400, Ichiro Suzuki has emerged as the favorite among the BTS heavy hitters. The Seattle speedster’s 1-for-5 day bumped the co-second place holders up to 27 games, and kept alive four more runs of at least 22 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chipper Jones (ATL): 16.7%, 2-for-4
2. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 13.5%, 2-for-5
3. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.8%, 1-for-5
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 7.5%, 0-for-5
5. Manny Ramirez (BOS): 4.2%, 0-for-4

Picks of the day

Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers

• 6 multi-hit efforts during 7-game hit streak
• .355 AVG since April 25

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves

• ML-leading .402 AVG
• Tied for ML lead with 94 hits

Top 5 current leaders

1. spooky93, 30  games
2. funnlks56, 26 games
2. jmc51966, 26 games
2. rupp44,26  games
5. bicefam, 25 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

After a week’s hiatus, the BTS world once again has a streak of 30 games.

Spooky93 received a two-hit day from master batsman Ichiro Suzuki, pushing his streak into the realm of the BTS elite.

Ichiro’s performance helped another BTS participants move into a tie for second at 26 games, where he was joined by two fans who received just enough on offense from Nick Markakis (1-for-5) and J.D. Drew (1-for-2).

The BTS leaders were wise to pick these hot hitters, but it turned out to be a tough day for those who went with the most popular selections. Manny Ramirez (7.4 percent) didn’t play in Boston’s victory, but Chase Utley (5.0 percent) and Chipper Jones (4.8 percent) both went 0-for-4, while Jose Reyes (4.7 percent) finished hitless in the second game of a doubleheader with the Rangers.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Manny Ramirez (BOS): 7.4%, 0-for-0
2. Chase Utley (PHI): 5.0%, 0-for-4
3. Chipper Jones (ATL): 4.8%, 0-for-4
4. Jose Reyes (NYM): 4.7%, 1-for-8
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 4.5%, 2-for-5

Friday

J.D. Drew, OF, Red Sox
.500 AVG during 11-game hit streak
Career .342 AVG at CIN Great American Ball Park
    
Jose Guillen, OF, Royals
.552 AVG during 7-game hit streak
.333 AVG vs. LHP in ’08

Saturday

Milton Bradley, OF, Rangers
3-for-6 (.500 AVG) since ’03 vs. NYM RHP Pedro Martinez
AL-leading .333 AVG

Sunday: Drew

Top 5 current leaders

1. spooky93, 27 games
2. Sbiel2, 25 games
2. brav1111, 25 games
2. hello108535, 25 games
5. bicefam, 24 games
5. rupp44, 24 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

Friday the 13th came early for several BTS participants, as five streaks of at least 24 games were snapped.

Magglio Ordonez was the main cause of the upheaval, as the long-locked outfielder went 0-for-4 to knock four fans out of the Top 10. Hanley Ramirez, the most popular pick of the day at 6.8 percent, also went hitless in four at-bats to end a 25-game run for one leader.

Ironically, it was a fan with the user name of spooky93 who overcame the curse and jumped into the top spot, getting a 2-for-5 day from hot-hitting Grady Sizemore to boost his streak to 27 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 6.8%, 0-for-4
2. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 6.1%, 0-for-4
3. Chipper Jones (ATL): 5.7%, 1-for-5
4. Manny Ramirez (BOS): 4.7%, 0-for-3
5. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 4.3%, 1-for-2

Picks of the day

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers

• 15-for-25 (.600 AVG) since ’03 vs. CWS LHP Mark Buehrle
• Buehrle: .297 BAA in ’08)

Juan Pierre, OF, Dodgers

• 11-for-21 (.524 AVG) since ’03 vs. SD LHP Randy Wolf
• .426 AVG vs. LHP in ’08

Top 5 current leaders

1. robbmacid, 28 games
2. spooky93, 26 games
3. brav1111, 25 games
3. mrswej, 25 games
3. pitinomen, 25 games
3. yerko, 25 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

The BTS leader held onto his top spot, receiving a pair of doubles from Twins thumper Justin Morneau to extend his streak to 28 games.

He also separated himself from the pack just a little bit, as the three fans tied for second at 26 games all saw their streaks come to an end.

It wasn’t a matter of bad decision-making, either. Lance Berkman was coming off a three-hit game, Alex Rodriguez entered the day with two hits in five straight games and Michael Young owned a Major League-high 23-game hit streak, but all three delivered off-days at an inopportune time.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chase Utley (PHI): 12.6%, 1-for-4
2. Lance Berkman (HOU): 8.9%, 0-for-3
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 3.8%, 0-for-0
4. Chipper Jones (ATL): 3.6%, 1-for-3
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 3.3%, 0-for-3

Picks of the day

Justin Morneau, 1B, Twins

• 15-for-36 (.417 AVG) vs. CLE RHP Paul Byrd
• .311 AVG vs. RHP in ’08

Michael Young, SS, Rangers

• ML-high 23-game hitting streak
• 3-for-6  (.500 AVG) vs. KC RHP Kyle Davies since ’03

Top 5 current leaders

1. robbmacid, 27 games
2. arnijodi, 26 games
2. djgaus, 26 games
2. gary_boerner, 26 games
5. fishingbill1981, 25 games
5. spooky93, 25 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

There was upheaval in the BTS rankings, as two of the day’s Top 5 most popular picks — Chase Utley and Jermaine Dye — went 0-for-4 in their games.

Utley’s hitless day proved costly to the BTS leader, who’s back to the drawing board after his 28-game streak was snapped.

That left a new top dog on the leader board, who extended his streak to 27 games thanks to a 3-for-5 day from the sizzling Jose Guillen.

Michael Young (1-for-4), Johnny Damon (1-for-4) and Ian Kinsler (1-for-4) didn’t stuff the stat sheet, but they delivered just enough to push the next three fans into a tie for second at 26 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chase Utley (PHI): 8.6%, 0-for-4
2. Chipper Jones (ATL): 6.6%, 0-for-0
3. Lance Berkman (HOU): 3.6%, 3-for-4
4. Jermaine Dye (CWS): 3.5%, 0-for-4
5. Aramis Ramirez (CHC): 3.3%, 1-for-2

Picks of the day

Jeff Kent, 2B, Dodgers
13-for-25 (.520) since ’03 vs. SD RHP G. Maddux
.333 AVG (14-for-42) in last 11 G

Grady Sizemore, OF, Indians
9-for-21 (.429) vs. MIN RHP S. Baker
8-for-24 (.333 AVG) during 6-game hit streak

Top 5 current leaders

1. atlantica, 28 games
2. robbmacid, 26 games
3. arnijodi, 25 games
3. djgaus, 25 games    
3. gary_boerner, 25 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

With recently named NL Player of the Week Chipper Jones resting his strained quad, BTS participants were forced to pick a non-.400 hitter to keep their streaks alive.

The leader looked past the recent quiet play of Magglio Ordonez (.241 June AVG), and was rewarded with a 1-for-4 day to boost his streak to 28 games. The second-place fan received a 2-for-5 effort from the even colder Brandon Phillips (.189 June AVG), extending his streak to 26 games.

The gutsiest pick of the day was made by the individual who tabbed little-known Reds outfielder Jerry Hairston Jr. to keep his 23-game streak alive. Hairston fractured his left thumb while stealing a base in the first inning, but the single he collected in his lone at-bat was enough to push the faithful BTS fan into a tie for sixth place.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most
selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.1%, 1-for-3
2. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 7.5%, 2-for-4
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 6.0%, 0-for-3
4. Hideki Matsui (NYY): 5.6%, 0-for-4
5. Jay Bruce (CIN): 5.6%, 1-for-6

Weekend picks

Friday

Michael Young, SS, Rangers
ML-leading 21-game hit streak
16-for-32 (.500) in last 7 games

Tony Pena, SS, Royals
6-for-6 vs. NYY RHP Darrell Rasner
.156 AVG in ’08 (due for a hit)

Saturday

Bobby Crosby, SS, Athletics
8-for-21 (.381 AVG) career vs. LAA RHP Jon Garland

Sunday

Jeff Kent, 2B, Dodgers
8-for-19 (.421 AVG) career vs. CHC RHP Jason Marquis

Top 5 current leaders

1. cfinch14, 31 games
1. jerryrod2500, 31 games    
3. peteoh11, 30 games    
4. jeff.dietel, 26 games    
5. jonesatl07, 25 games    
5. littleghearst3, 25 games
5. tkrunnaz, 25 games

Season leader: jerrymohr, 39 games

Yesterday’s results

Switch-hitter extraordinaire Chipper Jones came through again for the BTS crew. His monster 4-for-5 day kept several members of the Top 10 alive, boosting the streaks of the co-leaders to 31 games.

A few participants went out on a limb and found success without turning to the .418 hitter, however. The third-ranked fan got a 1-for-4 effort from the banged-up Victor Martinez, a hunch that bumped him up to the 30-game plateau.

Scott Rolen (2-for-3), Lance Berkman (1-for-4) and Carlos Beltran (1-for-4) also delivered enough to boost three fans into a tie for eighth place.

While 2008 is shaping up to be a monumental campaign for Chase Utley, he’s been an unlucky pick for BTS participants recently. The Phillies second baseman went hitless for the second straight day, ending three streaks of at least 24 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chipper Jones (ATL): 18.6%, 4-for-5
2. Chase Utley (PHI): 8.8%, 0-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.0%, 1-for-2
4. Lance Berkman (HOU): 4.9%, 1-for-4
5. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.7%, 1-for-4