Picks of the day

Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels

• 12-for-27 (.444) vs. TEX RHP Vicente Padilla
• .422 AVG in September

Kelly Johnson, 2B, Braves

• 4-for-9 (.444) vs. HOU RHP Brian Moehler
• .391 AVG during 23-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• J.J. Hardy (MIL), 0-for-4
• Lance Berkman (HOU), 1-for-4

Top 5 current leaders (yesterday's picks)

1. ali2win2 (Matt Holliday), 26 games
1. dalegerman (Vladimir Guerrero), 26 games
3. alperins (Dustin Pedroia), 23 games
3. ChaChalex (Matt Holliday), 23 games
5. chattr (Ichiro Suzuki), 19 games
5. kngsofaz (Jay Bruce), 19 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Picks of the day

J.J. Hardy, SS, Brewers

• 10-for-17 (.588) vs. PIT LHP Zach Duke
• .513 AVG in last 8 G

Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros

• 4-for-7 (.571) vs. CIN RHP Johnny Cueto
• .396 AVG vs. CIN in '08

Yesterday's picks, results

• Ichiro Suzuki (SEA), 0-for-5
• Hanley Ramirez (FLA), 3-for-5

Top 5 current leaders (yesterday's picks)

1. ali2win2 (Milton Bradley), 25 games
1. dalegerman (David Ortiz), 25 games
3. alperins (Placido Polanco), 22 games
3. ChaChalex (Dustin Pedroia), 22 games
5. tlerche (Dustin Pedroia), 20 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Picks of the day

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

• 14-for-34 (.412) vs. LAA RHP Jon Garland
• .338 AVG during 16-game hit streak

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins

• 5-for-11 (.455) vs. WSH RHP Tim Redding
• Career .335 AVG vs. WSH

Yesterday's picks, results

• Vernon Wells, (TOR), 0-for-4\
• David DeJesus(KC), 1-for-3

Top 5 current leaders (yesterday's picks)

1. popeye34 (Derek Jeter), 26 games
2. ali2win2 (Manny Ramirez), 24 games
2. dalegerman (Manny Ramirez), 24 games
4. jeffmccullagh (Ichiro Suzuki), 23 games
5. alperins (Josh Hamilton), 21 games
5. ChaChalex (Hanley Ramirez), 21 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Picks of the day

Vernon Wells, OF, Blue Jays

• 17-for-44 (.386) vs. NYY RHP Mike Mussina since '03
• Career .311 AVG vs. NYY

David DeJesus, OF, Royals

• 11-for-27 (.407) vs. DET RHP Freddy Garcia
• .429 AVG during 13-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• Magglio Ordonez (DET), 0-for-3
• Ichiro Suzuki (SEA), 1-for-4

Top 5 current leaders (yesterday's picks)

1. popeye34 (Derrek Lee), 25 games
2. ali2win2 (Placido Polanco), 23 games
2. dalegerman (Kevin Youkilis), 23 games
2. shaggy_412 (Vladimir Guerrero), 23 games
5. jeffmccullagh (Ichiro Suzuki), 22 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Picks of the day

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers

• 12-for-33 (.364) vs. KC RHP Gil Meche
• .418 AVG in September

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

• .339 AVG during 15-game hit streak
• .327 AVG since All-Star break

Top 5 current leaders

1. popeye34 (Dustin Pedroia), 24 games
2. ali2win2 (Chase Utley), 22 games
2. dalegerman (Miguel Tejada), 22 games
2. shaggy_412 (Carlos Delgado), 22 games
5. jeffmccullagh (Ichiro Suzuki), 21 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Picks of the day

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves

• 11-for-24 (.458) vs. NYM LHP Oliver Perez
• .457 AVG during 9-game hit streak

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers

• 11-for-21 (.524) vs. SF LHP Barry Zito
• .393 AVG during 6-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• Randy Winn (SF), 1-for-4
• Manny Ramirez (LAD), 0-for-4

Top 5 current leaders

1. flyers228 (Ichiro Suzuki)
2. KELVIN (Vernon Wells)
3. dbcks961 (Vernon Wells)
3. gaudet (Ichiro Suzuki)
3. kblaeuer (Mike Aviles)
3. smokedmeat (Randy Winn)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

Some BTS users take minutes peering over stats before making their pick of the day. Others rely on recommendations from the Morning Roundup. And then there are those who stick with one player time and time again.

Take BTS leader flyers228, whose faith in Ichiro Suzuki helped to extend his streak to 30 games yesterday. The Mariners leadoff man came through with a single during a 12-0 loss to Kansas City.

Of course, flyers228 isn't the only Ichiro fan. Nearly eight percent of BTS users were rewarded by the 1-for-2 performance, including gaudet, who, at 23 games, moved into a four-way tie for fourth place with dbcks961 (Vernon Wells), kblaeuer (Mike Aviles) and smokedmeat (Randy Winn).

Trusting the bat of Vernon Wells again paid dividends for second-place competitor KELVIN, whose streak improved to 27 games after the Blue Jays center fielder singled in three at-bats vs. Baltimore.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players
 
1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.9%, 1-for-2
2. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 4.9%, 0-for-4
3. Lance Berkman (HOU): 4.4%, 0-for-4
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 4.4%, 1-for-5
5. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.3%, 1-for-3

Picks of the day

Randy Winn, OF, Giants

• 7-for-17 (.412) vs. ARI LHP Randy Johnson
• .354 AVG since All-Star break

Manny Ramirez, OF, Dodgers

• .411 AVG during 8-game hit streak
• .400 AVG with LAD

Yesterday's picks, results

• Albert Pujols (STL), 0-for-4
• Ichiro Suzuki (SEA), 3-for-3

Top 5 current leaders

1. flyers228 (Ichiro Suzuki)
2. KELVIN (Vernon Wells)
3. jim9269 (Grady Sizemore)
3. malcolmpearson (Ichiro Suzuki)
5. dbcks961 (Placido Polanco)
5. gaudet (Jose Reyes)
5. kblaeuer (Carlos Beltran)
5. smokedmeat (Raul Ibanez)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

Ichiro Suzuki left many BTS users smiling yesterday, including BTS leader flyers228, whose streak grew to 29 games when the Mariners leadoff man went 3-for-3 vs. Kansas City. The impressive performance also pushed Ichiro over the 200-hit mark for the eighth straight season, tying a record held by Willie Keeler more than a century ago.

Ichiro -- picked by nearly eight percent of users -- also extended malcolmpearson's streak to 23 games, tying him with jim9269 for third place. Staying alive in second place was KELVIN, who for the second straight day relied on Vernon Wells (1-for-4), extending his streak to 26 games.

Popularity didn't pay off everywhere, however, as yesterday's most selected player -- Albert Pujols -- came up empty against the Reds.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players
 
1. Albert Pujols (STL): 8.3%, 0-for-4
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.8%, 3-for-3
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.7%, 0-for-4
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 4.2%, 1-for-4
5. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 3.9%, 1-for-3

Picks of the day

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals

• 14-for-39 (.359) vs. CIN RHP Aaron Harang
• 8-for-20 (.400) at CIN in '08

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

• 7-for-12 (.583) vs. KC RHP Gil Meche
• .317 AVG during 9-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• David Wright (NYM), 1-for-4
• Chipper Jones (ATL), 1-for-2

Top 5 current leaders

1. flyers228 (Ichiro Suzuki)
2. jwwadd (David Wright)
3. KELVIN (Vernon Wells)
3. bert7 (Jason Bay)
3. chrisr_777 (Magglio Ordonez)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

Carlos Beltran came up empty in all four plate appearances vs. Washington yesterday, ending jtfluet5's streak at 41 games. Overall, it was quite an impressive run -- the second-longest streak all season.

With jtfluet5 out of the running, flyers228 emerged as the new BTS leader at 28 games when Ichiro Suzuki -- yesterday's most popular BTS pick -- delivered his second straight 1-for-4 performance against Kansas City. The shakeup also left jwwadd in second place at 26 games thanks to David Wright, who went 1-for-4 vs. Washington. Third place turned into a three-way tie between KELVIN (Vernon Wells, 1-for-3), chrisr_777 (Magglio Ordonez, 2-for-4) and bert7, who remained stuck at 25 games with Jason Bay getting the day off.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players
 
1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 6.4%, 1-for-4
2. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.0%, 1-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.7%, 0-for-4
4. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 4.3%, 3-for-5
5. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 4.2%, 2-for-4

Picks of the day

David Wright, 3B, Mets

• 7-for-14 (.500) vs. WSH LHP Odalis Perez
• .379 AVG vs. LHP in '08

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves

• 4-for-11 (.364) vs. PHI LHP Jamie Moyer
• .481 AVG during 6-game hit streak

Top 5 current leaders

1. jtfluet5 (Dustin Pedroia)
2. flyers228 (Ichiro Suzuki)
3. bert7 (Dustin Pedroia)
3. jwwadd (Magglio Ordonez)
5. KELVIN (Michael Young)
5. chrisr_777 (Ichiro Suzuki)
5. greencircle (Ichiro Suzuki)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

After joining elite company over the weekend, BTS leader jtfluet5 went one step further yesterday, extending his streak to 41  games when Dustin Pedroia went 1-for-3 vs. Tampa Bay. It marks the second-longest streak all season, behind the memorable 48-game run from spooky93.

Pedroia was tabbed by nearly 11 percent of users, making him yesterday's most popular BTS pick. The Red Sox second baseman also pushed bert7's streak to 25 games, alongside third-place counterpart jwwadd.

And six Top 10 competitors benifited from Ichiro Suzuki's 1-for-4 performance against Kansas City, including chrisr_777, greencircle and second-place competitor flyers228.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players
 
1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 10.7%, 1-for-3
2. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 8.9%, 3-for-4
3. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.3%, 1-for-4
4. Matt Holliday (COL): 4.5%, 0-for-5
5. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.3%, 0-for-4

Picks of the day

Lance Berkman, 1B, Astros

• 20-for-42 (.476) vs. CHC RHP Jason Marquis
• .335 home AVG in '08

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals

• 7-for-14 vs. PIT LHP Paul Maholm
• .345 AVG during 7-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• Raul Ibanez (SEA), 1-for-3
• Randy Winn (SF), 1-for-5

Top 5 current leaders

1. jtfluet5 (Raul Ibanez)
2. mwkegg (Jermaine Dye)
3. lpaco1234 (Joe Mauer)
3. mlkyser (Garrett Atkins)
3. pyachamp (Vladimir Guerrero)
3. spike11870 (Ryan Howard)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

BTS leader jtfluet5 moved into elite territory yesterday when Raul Ibanez went 1-for-3 against the Angels. It brought his streak up to 37 games, tied for the fifth-longest mark all season with bassman. Another hit tonight would push him into fourth place.

Rather than rely on Ibanez, second-place competitor mwkegg benefited by going against history with Jermaine Dye, who reversed a poor track record against Toronto pitcher Shaun Marcum with a pair of hits. It extended mwkegg's streak to 31 games.

With a couple of Top 5 competitors eliminated from action (albert_lun, Dodger_Fan), third place turned into a four-way tie between lpaco1234, mlkyser, pyachamp and spike11870, all of whom selected different players in Joe Mauer, Garrett Atkins, Vladimir Guerrero and Ryan Howard, respectively.

Roughly nine percent of users were punished for picking All-Star Lance Berkman, who came up empty in three at-bats vs. Pittsburgh.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players
 
1. Lance Berkman (HOU): 8.9%, 0-for-3
2. Joe Mauer (MIN): 8.3%, 1-for-5
3. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 6.6%, 1-for-5
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.1%, 1-for-5
5. Matt Holliday (COL): 5.1%, 3-for-4

Picks of the day

Raul Ibanez, OF, Mariners

• 13-for-23 (.565) vs. LAA RHP Jered Weaver
• .381 AVG since All-Star break

Randy Winn, OF, Giants

• .467 AVG during 7-game hit streak
• .403 AVG since Aug. 1

Yesterday's picks, results

• Mark Teixeira (LAA), N/A
• Ichiro Suzuki (SEA), 4-for-5

Top 5 current leaders

1. jtfluet5 (Vernon Wells)
2. mwkegg (Albert Pujols)
3. albert_lun (Hanley Ramirez)
4. Dodger_Fan (Dustin Pedroia)
4. lpaco1234 (Garret Anderson)
4. mlkyser (Chase Utley)
4. pyachamp (Brian McCann)
4. spike11870 (Derek Jeter)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

Sticking with the hot-hitting Vernon Wells paid off for BTS leader jtfluet5, whose streak grew to 36 games yesterday when the Blue Jays outfielder went 3-for-4 against the White Sox. That's the sixth-longest streak of 2008, tied alongside four other competitors. Another hit today would push jtfluet5 into fifth place with bassman.

No player was selected more than once by the Top 5 competitors, a rarity, especially considering that group consists of eight users. Albert Pujols (2-for-4) kept mwkegg in second place and pushed him into the 30-game club. Hanley Ramirez (1-for-3) gave albert_lun sole control of third place at 26 games, with ianyankee eliminated from action. And thanks to Dustin Pedroia (2-for-4), Garret Anderson (2-for-4), Chase Utley (1-for-4), Brian McCann (3-for-5) and Derek Jeter (1-for-4), fourth place remained a five-way tie between Dodger_Fan, lpaco1234, mlkyser, pyachamp and spike11870.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players
 
1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.4%, 4-for-5
2. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.2%, 2-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.4%, 2-for-4
4. Lance Berkman (HOU): 4.3%, 0-for-2
5. Chipper Jones (ATL): 4.2%, 3-for-4

Picks of the day

Mark Teixeira, 1B, Angels

• 11-for-23 (.478) vs. NYY LHP Andy Pettitte
• .371 AVG since All-Star break

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

• 22-for-54 (.407) vs. TEX RHP Kevin Millwood
• .325 since Aug. 1

Yesterday's picks, results

• Ichiro Suzuki (SEA), 1-for-4
• Dustin Pedroia (BOS), 1-for-4

Top 5 current leaders

1. jtfluet5 (Dustin Pedroia)
2. mwkegg (Ichiro Suzuki)
3. ianyankee (Manny Ramirez)
4. albert_lun (Manny Ramirez)
5. Dodger_Fan (David Wright)
5. lpaco1234 (Ichiro Suzuki)
5. mlkyser (Jimmy Rollins)
5. pyachamp (Jeff Francoeur)
5. spike11870 (Dustin Pedroia)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

Inspired by yesterday's Fan of the day profile, BTS leader jtfluet5 took another step up the ladder at 35 games when Dustin Pedroia singled in four at-bats vs. Tampa Bay. Another hit would tie jtfluet5 for the sixth-highest streak of 2008.

With driversmasher77 knocked out of the running, mwkegg moved into second place at 29 games, thanks to a 1-for-4 performance from the ever-popular Ichiro Suzuki. The Mariners leadoff man was selected by 8.1 percent of competitors, more than any other hitter.

Also gaining in popularity was Manny Ramirez, who rewarded ianyankee and albert_lun -- the third and fourth-place competitors -- with a two-run homer against San Diego.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.1%, 1-for-4
2. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 7.8%, 1-for-4
3. Chipper Jones (ATL): 5.7%, 2-for-4
4. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 4.3%, 1-for-3
5. Lance Berkman (HOU): 3.7%, 3-for-4

Picks of the day

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners

• 19-for-34 (.559) vs. TEX RHP Vicente Padilla
• Career .333 AVG vs. TEX

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox

• 13-for-21 (.619) vs. TB LHP Scott Kazmir
• .356 AVG since All-Star break

Yesterday's picks, results

• Bobby Abreu (NYY), 0-for-3
• Alex Rodriguez (NYY), 1-for-4

Top 5 current leaders

1. jtfluet5 (Alex Rodriguez), 34 games
2. driversmasher77 (Miguel Cabrera), 30 games
3. mwkegg (Chase Utley), 28 games
4. alexanderdparisi (Chase Utley), 27 games
4. ianyankee (Robinson Cano), 27 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Fan of the day
 
Justin Fluet, better known to BTS competitors as jtfluet5, has vaulted into first place on the BTS leaderboard with a 34-game streak.

Like most residents of Watertown, Mass., Fluet lives and breathes the Boston Red Sox. And like the Red Sox, Fluet has taken off in the last month, thanks in large part to the red-hot bat of Dustin Pedroia -- his favorite BTS pick. With Pedroia hitting just about everything that comes his way over the last month (.378 AVG), Fluet finds himself in the midst of a career streak since he started playing in mid-July, an accomplishment that gives him easy bragging rights over his BTS groupmates.

By relying on Pedroia and pouncing on favorable historical matchups, Fluet is hoping to ride September into the record books, much like his favorite club.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 12.8%, 0-for-4
2. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 6.4%, 0-for-4
3. Lance Berkman (HOU): 5.2%, 2-for-3
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 4.5%, 1-for-2
5. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 3.7%, 1-for-4

Picks of the day
 
Bobby Abreu, OF, Yankees

• 8-for-16 (.500) vs. LAA RHP Jon Garland since '03
• .338 AVG since Aug. 1

Alex Rodriguez, 3B, Yankees

• 9-for-24 (.375) vs. LAA RHP Jon Garland since '03
• Career .335 AVG at Angel Stadium

Yesterday pick

Bobby Abreu (NYY), 0-for-4

Top 5 current leaders

1. jtfluet5 (Ichiro Suzuki)
2. brian.gray (Derek Jeter)
3. driversmasher77 (Denard Span)
4. bubblegumga (Dustin Pedroia)
4. mwkegg (Mark Teixeira)
4. tu_papi_recive (Ichiro Suzuki)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results
 
With the entire Top 5 getting eliminated over the weekend, jtfluet5 emerged as the new BTS leader at 33 games, thanks to 1-for-4 performance from Ichiro Suzuki yesterday.

The leaderboard breakdown also left brian.gray in second place at 31 games after Derek Jeter went 2-for-3 against Seattle, including a solo home run. Third-place competitor driversmasher77 extended his streak to 29 games after a gutsy selection of rookie Denard Span, who went 2-for-4 vs. Detroit.

Moving into a tie for fourth place was bubblegumga, mwkegg and tu_papi_recive, thanks to the reliable bats of Dustin Pedroia (1-for-4), Mark Teixeira (2-for-5) and Ichiro, respectively.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 9.1%, 1-for-4
2. Bobby Abreu (NYY): 5.9%, 0-for-4
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.9%, 2-for-3
4. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 4.6%, 1-for-4
5. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 3.7%, 0-for-3

Picks of the day
 
Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers

• 5-for-11 (.455) vs. MIN LHP Francisco Liriano
• .412 AVG during 9-game hit streak

Billy Butler, DH, Royals

• 1-for-2 (.500) vs. CLE RHP Anthony Reyes
• .475 AVG during 10-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• Vladimir Guerrero (LAA), 1-for-4
• Billy Butler (KC), 2-for-4

Top 5 current leaders

1. jnay017 (Vladimir Guerrero)
1. rustyolson56 (Chipper Jones)
1. trizzy7 (Vladimir Guerrero)
4. jared_bullock22 (Vladimir Guerrero)
4. jona831 (Ryan Braun)
4. miller_twm27 (Vladimir Guerrero)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results
 
The BTS leaderboard underwent big changes yesterday, as the top two competitors were both eliminated from action. Hitless performances from Minnesota's Joe Mauer and Justin Morneau ended cubdane's streak at 35 games and halted huhino's streak at 33.

The shakeup left three new BTS leaders -- jnay017, rustyolson56 and trizzy7 -- running the show at 33 games after Vladimir Guerrero went 1-for-4 and Chipper Jones singled in his only at-bat. These three users are the last with a shot at shattering Joe DiMaggio's 56-game streak.

Guerrero -- far and away the most popular pick, at 15.2 percent -- also pushed jared_bullock22 and miller_twm27 to 32 games, tied for fourth place with jona831, who benefited from a 1-for-4 showing from Ryan Braun.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Vladimir Guerrero (LAA): 15.2%, 1-for-4
2. Chipper Jones (ATL): 8.4%, 1-for-1
3. Nate McLouth (PIT): 5.5%, 1-for-3
4. Justin Morneau (MIN): 5.0%, 0-for-3
5. Ryan Braun (MIL): 4.8%, 1-for-4

Picks of the day 

Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels

• 12-for-28 (.429) vs. DET LHP Kenny Rogers
• 13-for-31 (.419) in last 7 G

Billy Butler, DH, Royals

• 1-for-1 vs. OAK LHP Dan Meyer
• .500 AVG during 8-game hit streak

Yesterday's picks, results

• Derek Jeter (NYY), 1-for-5
• Brian Roberts (BAL), 1-for-3

Top 5 current leaders

1. cubdane (Dustin Pedroia)
2. huhino (Albert Pujols)
3. jnay017 (Raul Ibanez)
3. rustyolson56 (Dustin Pedroia)
3. trizzy7 (Albert Pujols)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

The Top 5 -- the last remaining BTS competitors capable of reaching 57 games -- all survived to play another day. BTS leader cubdane took another step closer to Joe DiMaggio at 35 games after staying with the hot-hitting Dustin Pedroia, who went 1-for-3 against the Orioles.

Also benefiting from Pedroia's performance was rustyolson56, whose streak improved to 32 games. Keeping pace were his third-place counterparts jnay017 and trizzy7 (yesterday's Fan of the Day), thanks to the steady hitting of Raul Ibanez (2-for-4) and Albert Pujols (1-for-4), respectively.

Picking Pujols also kept second-place competitor huhino in the running, right behind cubdane, at 33 games.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 8.6%, 3-for-4
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.8%, 1-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 7.7%, 1-for-4
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.2%, 1-for-5
5. Matt Holliday (COL): 2.9%, 0-for-3

Picks of the day 

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees

• 7-for-19 (.368) vs. TB RHP Edwin Jackson
• .347 AVG since Aug. 1

Brian Roberts, 2B, Orioles

• 5-for-10 (.500) vs. BOS RHP Daisuke Matsuzaka
• .331 AVG since Aug. 1

Yesterday's picks, results

• Dustin Pedroia (BOS), 3-for-5
• Aubrey Huff (BAL), 1-for-2

Top 5 current leaders

1. cubdane (Dustin Pedroia), 34 games
2. huhino (Ryan Theriot), 32 games
3. jnay017 (Dustin Pedroia), 31 games
3. rustyolson56 (Dustin Pedroia), 31 games
3. trizzy7 (Ichiro Suzuki), 31 games

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

Nate Johnson, better known as trizzy7 to BTS competitors, sits locked in a three-way tie for third place on the BTS leaderboard with a 31-game streak.

As a physical education teacher residing in Colby, WI, it's only natural that Johnson favor his hometown Brewers, from the old to the new. He regards Hall of Famer Paul Molitor as his favorite all-time player and Ryan Braun as his current favorite.

And much like Braun's quick rise to stardom, it's taken the Wisconsin educator no time adjusting to the BTS challenges. After all, he only started playing on July 30 and is now among the last five remaining users with a shot at shattering Joe DiMaggio's 56-game mark. Beginner's luck? Hardly, says Johnson, who attributes his success to three "preferences":

1. Historical matchups trump all, particularly when a hitter owns a .450-plus average against a particular pitcher.
2. "Ideally, I also like to pick a guy with a .300-plus season average. against a pithcer with a .300 opponents' average."
3. "When in doubt, pick players that bat near the top of the order (more plate appearances)."

With a sound philosophy on his side, Johnson is aiming for BTS history books, beyond the rookie magic of Braun and right into Paul Molitor territory.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 11.7%, 3-for-5
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 5.6%, 1-for-5
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.4%, 0-for-3
4. Aramis Ramirez (CHC): 3.1%, 1-for-5
5. Chase Utley (PHI): 2.4%, 1-for-4

Picks of the day 

Aubrey Huff, DH, Orioles

• 7-for-17 (.412) vs. BOS LHP Jon Lester
• .364 AVG since All-Star break

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox

• 2-for-4 vs. BAL RHP Radhames Liz
• .600 AVG during six-game hit streak

Top 5 current leaders

1. cubdane (Lance Berkman)
2. huhino (Xavier Nady)
3. jnay017 (Derek Jeter)
3. rustyolson56 (Ichiro Suzuki)
3. trizzy7 (Magglio Ordonez)

BTS season leader:  Robert Paradise, 48
BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday's results

With damayr out of the running, cubdane became the new BTS leader over Labor Day weekend, extending his streak to 33 games yesterday thanks to a 2-for-2 performance from Lance Berkman.

Second-place competitor huhino kept pace at 31 games after Xavier Nady singled in five at-bats against Detroit. Also staying alive was jnay017, rustyolson56 and trizzy7, who moved into a three-way tie for third at 30 games, thanks to the reliable hitting of Derek Jeter (2-for-3), Ichiro Suzuki (1-for-6) and Magglio Ordonez (3-for-4), respectively.

With 27 games left to play, these Top 5 competitors are the last with a shot at beating Joe DiMaggio's 56-game streak.

Yesterday's Top 5 most selected players:
 
1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 10.1%, 2-for-4
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.8%, 1-for-6
3. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 4.7%, 3-for-4
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 4.4%, 1-for-3
5. Lance Berkman (HOU): 3.4%, 2-for-2