Today’s recommended picks

Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs
.373 AVG (31-for-83) during 21-G hit streak

Joe Mauer, C, Twins
.426 AVG vs. right-handed pitchers in ’09

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
.321 AVG (17-for-53) during 12-G hit streak

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

The three BTS leaders each picked a different player last night, and all three selections paid off.

Current leader FROD pushed his streak to 38 games after tabbing Brian Roberts, who delivered with a 2-for-3 performance.

Gozags2008 advanced to 34 games with the ever-popular Joe Mauer, who rebounded from two straight hitless contests with a 1-for-3 night.

In third place, Murdog33 rode Ichiro Suzuki’s 2-for-4 night to his 31st consecutive correct selection.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Joe Mauer (MIN): 12.7%, 1-for-3
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 11.6%, 2-for-4
3. Brian Roberts (BAL): 5.7%, 2-for-3
4. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 3.9%, 1-for-3
5. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 3.1%, 0-for-3

Fan profile

Carl Townsend aka crtownse ran his hit streak to 38 games before Freddy Sanchez derailed his run with an 0-for-4 performance on Monday.

The man in charge of third shift custodial for facilities and services for the University of Illinois, Carl has lived in the Urbana-Champaign area of the Prairie State for almost his entire life. But he doesn’t root for the White Sox or Cubs; having been sucked in by the 1986 World Series champions, Carl is a Mets fan.

Continuing a trend that seems to have emerged lately, Carl first signed on to play Beat the Streak presented by Burger King earlier this year and quickly uncovered methods that worked for him. His main strategy is to find the scheduled starters who have a high ERA and pick the batters with the most success against them.

Carl also is a proponent of following his instinct when it comes to picking a player, and that’s especially true in the wake of his streak-ending selection. Originally planning to go with Brian McCann, Carl couldn’t get past the Braves catcher’s 1-for-12 performance heading into the day. Of course, McCann ended up with three hits while Sanchez delivered his oh-for.

Next time, we’re sure Carl won’t let his brain overrule his gut when it comes to BTS matters.