Tuesday’s recommended picks

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick

Garrett Atkins, 1B, Orioles
.714 AVG (5-for-7) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Jason Vargas

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

Yesterday’s results

A hefty 17.2 percent of fans placed their fortunes in the hands of Ichiro Suzuki, and the perennial BTS favorite came through with two hits to keep several thousand streaks alive.

The second-most popular selection, Albert Pujols, also proved to be a winning pick, as he rebounded from the previous day’s hitless performance with a 1-for-4 effort.

The day’s biggest streak breaker turned out to be Dustin Pedroia. The Boston second baseman has put up big numbers in the early going, but his 0-for-3 line yesterday ended the streaks of 7.2 percent of the fans.

That left us with 144 users tied for the top spot, at 16 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 17.2%, 2-for-4
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 9.4%, 1-for-4
3. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 7.2%, 0-for-3
4. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 5.3%, 2-for-4
5. Franklin Gutierrez (SEA): 5.2%, 2-for-2

 

Monday’s recommended picks

Conor Jackson, OF/1B, Diamondbacks
.474 AVG (9-for-19) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Brad Penny

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
.400 AVG (4-for-10) since ’05 vs. Angels starter Joel Pineiro

David DeJesus, OF, Royals
.429 AVG (3-for-7) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow

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

Yesterday’s results

We had a big-time streak breaker yesterday with Albert Pujols’ hitless game against the Mets. A hefty 19 percent of BTS users went with Prince Albert, only to find themselves back at square one following his not-so-regal 0-for-5 performance.

With so many fans forced to start from scratch over the weekend, we’re down to 178 fans tied for the top spot, at 15 games. That’s still a pretty hearty number, but we’re sure to see more seemingly safe picks come up empty in the coming days.

Congrats to those who’ve made it this far without getting nailed by the 0-for whammy.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 19.0%, 0-for-5
2. Ryan Braun (MIL): 7.6%, 1-for-5
3. Matt Holliday (STL): 5.7%, 3-for-3
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.6%, 0-for-0
5. Derrek Lee (CHC): 4.0%, 0-for-5

 

Friday’s recommended picks

Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks
.556 AVG (5-for-9) lifetime vs. Padres starter Jon Garland

Martin Prado, 2B, Braves
.467 AVG (7-for-15) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Hammel

Chone Figgins, 3B, Mariners
.455 AVG (5-for-11) since ’05 vs. Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman

Saturday’s recommended picks

Hideki Matsui, DH, Angels
.556 AVG (10-for-18) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Brian Tallet

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
.357 AVG (5-for-14) lifetime vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
.440 AVG (11-for-25) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields

Sunday’s recommended picks

Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
.571 AVG (4-for-7) lifetime vs. Mets starter John Maine

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Mets starter John Maine

Vernon Wells, OF, Blue Jays
.357 AVG (5-for-14) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana

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

Yesterday’s results

While there were no big-time streak breakers yesterday, those who went with Joe Mauer likely were cursing their luck for picking him on a rare bad day. Mauer finished 0-for-4 in the first game he started and did not collect a hit this season.

Bit by bit, the huge group clumped at the top of the leaderboard is thinning out. The official count stands at 545; we’ll see how many emerge from the weekend’s action with 15-game streaks.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 13.4%, 2-for-4
2. Joe Mauer (MIN): 6.7%, 0-for-4
3. Prince Fielder (MIL): 6.2%, 1-for-4
4. Robinson Cano (NYY): 5.8%, 2-for-4
5. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.8%, 3-for-4

 

Thursday’s recommended picks

Manny Ramirez, OF, Dodgers
.577 AVG (15-for-26) lifetime vs. D-backs starter Dan Haren

Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
.364 AVG (12-for-33) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

Hunter Pence, OF, Astros
.360 AVG (9-for-25) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

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

Yesterday’s results

It was a good day for much of the BTS faithful, as 12 of the Top 15 most selected players came through with at least one hit.

However, one of hitless games came courtesy of Matt Holliday, the day’s most popular pick. Holliday’s 0-for-4 performance ended the streaks of 13.6 percent of fans.

So with 11 games down, we have our first official leader count: 808 are tied for the top spot. While we’re still a long way off from Joe D’s record, a double-digit BTS streak is nothing to sneeze at, so kudos to all those who have gotten off to a hot start.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Matt Holliday (STL): 13.6%, 0-for-4
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.2%, 1-for-4
3. Joe Mauer (MIN): 5.1%, 1-for-4
4. Placido Polanco: (PHI): 4.6%, 2-for-4
5. Ryan Braun (MIL): 4.3%, 1-for-5

 

Wednesday’s recommended picks

Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Randy Wells

Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
.600 AVG (6-for-10) lifetime vs. Astros starter Brett Myers

Kosuke Fukudome, OF, Cubs
.471 AVG (8-for-17) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Dave Bush

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

Yesterday’s results

For the second straight day, a large contingent of the BTS faithful went with one player, placing their early hopes in the hands of Derek Jeter.

Demonstrating once again his ability to rise to the occasion, the Yankees captain responded with a third-inning homer off Angels starter Ervin Santana, sustaining the streaks of the 25.7 percent of the fans who picked him.

Yesterday also brought the second consecutive hitless game from Mariners catalyst Ichiro Suzuki, normally a BTS stalwart. While that performance ended a good share of streaks, several hundred remain tied for the top spot at 10 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Derek Jeter (NYY): 25.7%, 2-for-5
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.4%, 0-for-4
3. Todd Helton (COL): 4.8%, 1-for-3
4. Pablo Sandoval (SF): 4.8%, 1-for-5
5. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 4.4%, 0-for-3

 

Tuesday’s recommended picks

Rajai Davis, OF, A’s
.444 AVG (4-for-9) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Doug Fister

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees
.435 AVG (10-for-23) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana

Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo

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

Yesterday’s results

With 18.1 percent of participating fans going with Philly’s Chase Utley, a hefty chunk of the BTS leaders would have fallen from the pack had the All-Star second baseman come up empty-handed.

However, Utley showed why he’s one of the most reliable hitters in the game with a fifth-inning home run off Washington’s Jason Marquis, keeping many early streaks alive.

With nine days of play in the books, several hundred users remain tied for the BTS lead, so keep those winning picks coming.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chase Utley (PHI): 18.1%, 1-for-3
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 6.6%, 0-for-4
3. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 5.6%, 1-for-4
4. Matt Holliday (STL): 5.1%, 0-for-3
5. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.8%, 2-for-3

 

Monday’s recommended picks

Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
.500 AVG (9-for-18) since ’05 vs. Nationals starter Jason Marquis

Miguel Tejada, 3B, Orioles
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Rays starter Matt Garza

Kurt Suzuki, C, A’s
.400 AVG (8-for-20) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Ryan Rowland-Smith

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

Yesterday’s results

With several high-scoring games on the docket yesterday, there were plenty of hits to go around for BTS users.

Each of the Top 7 selected players came through with at least one hit, with Dustin Pedroia leading the way with four base knocks.

Several hundred fans are clustered at the top of the leaderboard with their eight-game streaks. Many will fall off over the coming days and weeks, but perhaps someone from that group is ready for a record-breaking run … 

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 6.8%, 3-for-5
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.2%, 1-for-5
3. Robinson Cano (NYY): 5.1%, 1-for-4
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.1%, 4-for-5
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 5.0%, 1-for-4

 

Friday’s recommended picks

Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
.400 AVG (6-for-15) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

Michael Cuddyer, OF, Twins
.533 AVG (16-for-30) lifetime vs. White Sox starter John Danks

Josh Willingham, OF, Nationals
.412 AVG (7-for-17) lifetime vs. Mets starter Mike Pelfrey

Saturday’s recommended picks

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.444 AVG (4-for-9) lifetime vs. Rangers starter Matt Harrison

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
.350 AVG (7-for-20) lifetime vs. Mets starter Oliver Perez

Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets
.500 AVG (11-for-22) lifetime vs. Nationals starter John Lannan

Sunday’s recommended picks

Edgar Renteria, SS, Giants
.727 AVG (8-for-11) in ’10

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
.636 AVG (7-for-11) lifetime vs. Padres starter Jon Garland

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
.478 AVG (11-for-23) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields

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

Yesterday’s results

It was the first rough day of the season for BTS users, who saw the usual safe picks come up short and the numbers turned upside down by surprisingly effective pitching.

The Top 2 picks of the day — Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suzuki — went a combined 0-for-7, knocking a huge contingent from the top of the leaderboard. And Johnny Damon, who entered the day with six hits in eight at-bats against Royals starter Brian Bannister, went 0-for-4 to thwart the fans who thought they were going with a sure thing.

It’s all part of Beat the Streak and baseball in general, as tricky hops and well-positioned defenders can make life tough for a hitter on any given day. Perhaps better luck will come from the weekend’s slate of action.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 13.3%, 0-for-3
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 10.6%, 0-for-4
3. Joe Mauer (MIN): 9.1%, 2-for-4
4. Johnny Damon (DET): 9.0%, 0-for-4
5. Chase Utley (PHI): 4.8%, 2-for-5

 

Thursday’s recommended picks

Johnny Damon, OF, Tigers
.750 AVG (6-for-8) lifetime vs. Royals starter Brian Bannister

Brian Roberts, 2B, Orioles
.444 AVG (8-for-18) lifetime vs. Rays starter Jeff Niemann

Brandon Phillips, 2B, Reds
.417 AVG (5-for-12) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Brad Penny

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

Yesterday’s results

There were a few more 0-for’s in yesterday’s group of most selected hitters, but BTS users still made winning picks for the most part.

Detroit’s Miguel Cabrera, the day’s most popular pick, didn’t do his usual damage against Royals starter Luke Hochevar, but he came to life with a game-tying homer off closer Joakim Soria in the ninth inning to keep many budding streaks alive.

Mark Teixeira was the biggest streak killer of the day, as his 0-for-3 effort thwarted several thousand fans who went with the slugging first baseman.

With four days of the season in the books, the drive for five is under way as the pack at the top of the leaderboard slowly but surely thins out.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 15.5%, 2-for-5
2. Chase Utley (PHI): 8.4%, 2-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 6.7%, 1-for-4
4. Joe Mauer (MIN): 5.9%, 1-for-3
5. Mark Teixeira (NYY): 3.8%, 0-for-3

 

Wednesday’s recommended picks

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers
.889 AVG (8-for-9) lifetime vs. Royals starter Luke Hochevar

Mark Teixeira, 1B, Yankees
.364 AVG (12-for-33) since ’05 vs. Red Sox starter John Lackey

Todd Helton, 1B, Rockies
.455 AVG (5-for-11) since ’05 vs. Brewers starter Doug Davis

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

Yesterday’s results

Even with slightly less than half of MLB’s teams in action last night, BTS users showed a deft touch when it came to making their picks.

Fourteen of the 15 Top players selected whacked at least one hit, with only Stephen Drew (0-for-5) coming up short.

Clearly, BTS participants are already in midseason form. Now, it’s just a matter of sustaining that form through the coming weeks. For the huge pack tied atop the leaderboard, it’s three down and 54 to go!

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Derek Jeter (NYY): 13.0%, 1-for-5
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 11.2%, 1-for-3
3. Joe Mauer (MIN): 9.0%, 1-for-4
4. Chone Figgins (SEA): 6.8%, 1-for-4
5. Evan Longoria (TB): 5.9%, 1-for-4