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

 

Tuesday’s recommended picks

Joe Mauer, C, Twins
.365 AVG in 2009

Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks
.400 AVG (4-for-10) lifetime vs. Padres starter Chris Young

Pablo Sandoval, 3B, Giants
.330 AVG in 2009

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

Yesterday’s results

Hitters reigned supreme on Opening Day, bringing an abundance of offense that made it a pleasant day for BTS participants.

Fourteen of the 15 Top players selected collected at least one hit, with only Cubs first baseman Derrek Lee (0-for-3) showing up empty-handed to the party. That output allowed a huge chunk of fans to extend their season-opening streaks to two games.

That may not seem like much, but remember, the Roman Empire was built one brick at a time, so keep those picks coming.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 14.5%, 1-for-4
2. Chase Utley (PHI): 9.9%, 1-for-3
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 8.4%, 4-for-5
4. Joe Mauer (MIN): 8.2%, 1-for-4
5. Matt Kemp (LAD): 6.8%, 2-for-5

 

Tuesday’s recommended picks

Raul Ibanez, OF, Phillies
.700 AVG (7-for-10) lifetime vs. Nationals starter John Lannan

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
.400 AVG (6-for-15) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Zach Duke

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.352 AVG in 2009

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

Yesterday’s results

There was plenty of offense to go around in the Opening Night matchup, a 9-7 Red Sox victory over the Yankees in which the two teams combined to pound out 24 hits.

As a result, many BTS fans got their season started on a strong note. Each of the Top 5 most selected players came through with at least one hit, as did 11 of the Top 15. Users who selected Jacoby Ellsbury (0-for-5), Mark Teixeira (0-for-4) or David Ortiz (0-for-3) missed out on the hit parade, but there’s plenty of time to get a big streak going.

With most other teams ready for their openers today, fans will have more of a full slate of players to choose from. Good luck in the march to 57 games!

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Derek Jeter (NYY): 43.0%, 2-for-5
2. Robinson Cano (NYY): 17.0%, 2-for-5
3. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 13.6%, 3-for-4
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.2%, 2-for-4
5. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): 4.7%, 1-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
.462 AVG (18-for-39) lifetime vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

Carlos Guillen, OF, Tigers
.407 AVG (11-for-27) lifetime vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

Jason Kubel, OF, Twins
.727 AVG (8-for-11) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Rick Porcello

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

Today’s preview

On the eve of the playoffs, the Tigers and Twins are set to battle for the AL Central title, and BTS fans will look to close out the season on a winning note.

Given that only two teams are playing today, there clearly isn’t a large slate of players to choose from. However, there are a few who’ve enjoyed success against the scheduled starting pitchers, along with the usual hard-hitting suspects such as Joe Mauer and Miguel Cabrera.

stongematt79 stands as the current leader at 21 games, with emld75 one game behind. mike6437 and shane.99 both have the chance to finish the season at 20 games — and even take over the top spot should the other leaders fall — if their final pick comes through with a hit.

 

Tuesday’s recommended picks

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
.462 AVG (18-for-39) lifetime vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

Carlos Guillen, OF, Tigers
.407 AVG (11-for-27) lifetime vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

Jason Kubel, OF, Twins
.727 AVG (8-for-11) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Rick Porcello

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

Yesterday’s results

Most of the front-runners fell from the top of the BTS pack over the weekend, leaving the leaderboard with some of its lowest numbers since the beginning of the season.

stongematt79 emerged as the new leader with a 21-game streak, with emld75 just behind him at 20 games.

Any attempts to set new all-time or season records are out the window at this point, but there’s still one more chance for fans to tack on a final game to their streaks with Tuesday’s AL tiebreaker between the Tigers and Twins.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Joe Mauer (MIN): 9.8%, 0-for-3
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 8.8%, 1-for-3
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.6%, 2-for-4
4. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 4.4%, 4-for-4
5. Albert Pujols (STL): 3.6%, 1-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez

Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Padres starter Kevin Correia

Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals
.429 AVG (9-for-21) since ’04 vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe

Saturday’s recommended picks

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
.643 AVG (9-for-14) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Zach Duke

Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
.438 AVG (7-for-16) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
.529 AVG (9-for-17) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jorge De La Rosa

Sunday’s recommended picks

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
.550 AVG (11-for-20) lifetime vs. White Sox starter John Danks

Howard Kendrick, 2B, Angels
.625 AVG (5-for-8) lifetime vs. A’s starter Edgar Gonzalez; Gonzalez: .292 AVG against in ’09

James Loney, 1B, Dodgers
.583 AVG (7-for-12) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Marquis

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

Yesterday’s results

With the regular season heading into its final weekend, BTS participants are looking to finish up on a winning note by logging the longest streak possible.

Nearly every member of the Top 10 picked Ichiro Suzuki, a smart move considering his knack for making contact and legging out hits. Sure enough, Ichiro came through with a 2-for-4 day to keep his fans alive in the standings.

Co-leaders da_wid and flipperjoints hit the 30-game mark thanks to Ichiro, while golgota33 and janejohn rode the Seattle speedster up to 25 games and a share of fourth place. Third-place contestant rwildi took the bold step of selecting a different player, but Jimmy Rollins’s 1-for-4 effort helped him stay in the running, at 27 games.

mark-henry also avoided Ichiro, but his selection of Dustin Pedroia didn’t work out so well. The normally free-swinging Pedroia collected two walks but no hits in five plate appearances, ending mark-henry’s run at 26 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 13.9%, 2-for-4
2. Joe Mauer (MIN): 6.2%, 2-for-4
3. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 5.7%, 1-for-3
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.3%, 0-for-3
5. Vladimir Guerrero (LAA): 5.2%, 1-for-2

 

Today’s recommended picks

Vladimir Guerrero, OF, Angels
.485 AVG (16-for-33) since ’04 vs. Rangers starter Kevin Millwood

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
.444 AVG (16-for-36) lifetime vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

Carlos Guillen, OF, Tigers
.440 AVG (11-for-25) lifetime vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

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

Yesterday’s results

The opportunity for contestants to topple Joe D. or even to surpass ’09 season-record holder Tanner Nielsen may have passed, but that hasn’t prevented many of the BTS faithful from attempting to finish the year with the longest active streak.

Going with perhaps the safest picks out there, first-place co-holders da_wid and flipperjoints selected Joe Mauer and Ichiro Suzuki, respectively. Showing why they’ve ranked at the top of the batting average leaderboard all season, Ichiro (2-for-5) and Mauer (1-for-4) came through once again to boost the leaders’ streaks to 29 games.

mark-henry tabbed the surging Troy Tulowitzki (2-for-3) to bump his streak up to 26 games, while rwildi kept pace to hold onto his share of third place by going with hit master Ichiro.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 14.0%, 2-for-5
2. Ryan Howard (PHI): 6.7%, 1-for-2
3. Joe Mauer (MIN): 5.7%, 1-for-4
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.2%, 2-for-2
5. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.8%, 2-for-4

 

Today’s recommended picks

Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets
.526 AVG (10-for-19) lifetime vs. Nationals starter John Lannan

Ryan Howard, 1B, Phillies
.500 AVG (10-for-20) lifetime vs. Astros starter Brian Moehler

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
.478 AVG (11-for-23) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco

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

Yesterday’s results

bhard1989’s chance to run the table and finish the year on top ended yesterday with his selection of Chase Utley. The Phillies second baseman went 0-for-4 vs. the Astros, ending the erstwhile leader’s streak at 29 games.

As a result, da_wid and flipperjoints took over first place, at 28 games. Both fans went with old reliable Ichiro Suzuki, who delivered a 1-for-3 performance.

mark-henry and rwildi jumped into a tie for third place, at 25 games, thanks to their respective selections of Denard Span (4-for-9 in doubleheader) and Ichiro. And in keeping with the theme of joint custody, golgota33 and janejohn moved into a tie for fifth, their picks of Ichiro and Rafael Furcal (2-for-4) boosting their runs to 24 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 13.4%, 1-for-3
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.5%, 1-for-3
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.9%, 1-for-3
4. Brian McCann (ATL): 4.4%, 1-for-4
5. Joe Mauer (MIN): 3.1%, 1-for-8

 

Today’s recommended picks

Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox
.545 AVG (6-for-11) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero

Mike Napoli, C, Angels
.474 AVG (9-for-19) lifetime vs. Rangers starter Scott Feldman

Jorge Cantu, 1B, Marlins
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Braves starter Tim Hudson

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

Yesterday’s results

With Derek Jeter held out of action yesterday, bhard1989 remained in the top spot at 29 games.

da_wid and flipperjoints moved into a tie for second place at 27 games thanks to their respective picks of Robinson Cano (2-for-4) and Evan Longoria (1-for-4).

mark-henry also tabbed Longoria to take over a share of fourth place at 24 games, while rwildi held steady at 24 due to his selection of the idle Jeter.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Derek Jeter (NYY): 7.7%, 0-for-0
2. Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS): 7.0%, 0-for-2
3. Jason Kubel (MIN): 6.3%, 0-for-0
4. Evan Longoria (TB): 5.5%, 1-for-4
5. Robinson Cano (NYY): 5.2%, 2-for-4