Today’s recommended picks

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins
.500 AVG (4-for-8) lifetime vs. Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez; NL-leading .358 AVG in ’09

Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles
.355 AVG (27-for-76) since Aug. 1

Jhonny Peralta, 3B, Indians
.391 AVG (9-for-21) since ’04 vs. Angels starter John Lackey

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

Yesterday’s results

The second-longest streak of the season reached its end yesterday when Joe Mauer wrapped up a 0-for-3 effort against the Rangers. Mike Hamman may one day put together another run for more than a month, but for now, his just-completed 43-game streak will be set in stone in the BTS annals.

Mike’s streak fell two games shy of the season mark set by Tanner Nielsen in June. In an interesting coincidence, Tanner’s streak was also ended by a hitless day from Mauer.

And because Mauer was the choice of the second-place contestant entering yesterday’s action (we’re guessing the Twins catcher may be on the receiving end of a bit of BTS-prompted hate mail), we have a couple of fresh faces at the top of the standings.

nicklarsen84, who received a 2-for-4 day from Derek Jeter, took over the top spot at 33 games. Motorhead slid into second at 32 games thanks to an identical 2-for-4 effort from Ichiro Suzuki, while diamondmike rode a 1-for-4 performance from Carl Crawford to move up to 31 games and claim third place.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.6%, 2-for-4
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 7.5%, 2-for-4
3. Placido Polanco (DET): 6.6%, 1-for-4
4. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 5.8%, 1-for-4
5. Joe Mauer (MIN): 5.2%, 0-for-3

 

Today’s recommended picks

Placido Polanco, 2B, Tigers
.500 AVG (5-for-10) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Ian Snell

Lyle Overbay, 1B, Blue Jays
.714 AVG (5-for-7) lifetime vs. Red Sox starter Clay Buchholz

A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox
.432 AVG (16-for-37) lifetime vs. Royals starter Zack Greinke

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

Yesterday’s results

The march to 56 continued for hammanm, who pushed his streak to 43 games when Ichiro Suzuki collected the first of his four hits yesterday. The BTS leader is just two games shy of the season record set by Tanner Nielsen.

Further underscoring hammanm’s amazing staying power, the two contestants directly behind him in the standings both found themselves starting from scratch at the conclusion of the day’s action. For Sun_Tenshi, who put together an impressive 39-game streak, the end came when Felipe Lopez finished 0-for-4 vs. the Pirates. jprin30571, who was up to 35 games, bid farewell to the streak following a 0-for-4 effort from Mark Teixiera.

As a result, Topiary took over second place at 34 games thanks to three more hits from Joe Mauer. nicklarsen84, who also went with Minnesota’s amazing backstop, moved up to third place at 32 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 12.8%, 4-for-5
2. Alex Rios (CWS): 5.5%, 1-for-4
3. Chipper Jones (ATL): 3.7%, 0-for-3
4. Joe Mauer (MIN): 3.6%, 3-for-5
5. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 3.6%, 3-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers
.409 AVG (9-for-22) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Felix Hernandez

David DeJesus, OF, Royals
.393 AVG (11-for-28) since ’04 vs. White Sox starter Freddy Garcia

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
.393 AVG (11-for-28) since ’04 vs. Mets starter Oliver Perez

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

Yesterday’s results

Slowly and steadily, hammanm continues to move into highly select territory in the BTS universe.

A 1-for-4 day from Matt Holliday yesterday extended hammanm’s streak to 42 games, tying him with Dick Goulet for the second-highest mark of ’09. Tanner Nielsen set the season record of 45 games back in late June.

Sun_Tenshi isn’t far behind, though. The second-place contestant received a 2-for-4 day from A.J. Pierzynski to move up to 39 games and keep the leader within sight. jprin30571 also kept pace in third place, reaching the 35-game mark following a 3-for-4 showing from Derek Jeter.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Derek Jeter (NYY): 8.2%, 3-for-4
2. A.J. Pierzynski (CWS): 6.0%, 2-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 6.0%, 1-for-4
4. Alexei Ramirez (CWS): 4.8%, 1-for-2
5. Pablo Sandoval (SF): 4.5%, 1-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Alexei Ramirez, SS, White Sox
.417 AVG (5-for-12) lifetime vs. Royals starter Brian Bannister

Aubrey Huff, 1B, Orioles
.412 AVG (7-for-17) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana

A.J. Pierzynski, C, White Sox
.409 AVG (9-for-22) lifetime vs. Royals starter Brian Bannister

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

Yesterday’s results

It was a successful weekend for BTS leader hammanm, who surged to 41 games with the selection of Joe Mauer (1-for-4) yesterday. The 41-game streak is tied for the third-longest mark this season.

Mauer also turned out to be the right pick for third-place contestant jprin30571 and fourth-place holder Topiary, who pushed their respective streaks to 34 and 32 games. Second-place fan Sun_Tenshi went with Dustin Pedroia (1-for-5) to move up to 38 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 11.0%, 1-for-5
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 9.7%, 2-for-5
3. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 6.1%, 2-for-5
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.2%, 1-for-4
5. Joe Mauer (MIN): 4.6%, 1-for-4

 

 

 

Today’s recommended picks

Manny Ramirez, OF, Dodgers
.500 AVG (10-for-20) lifetime vs. D-backs starter Dan Haren

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins
.351 AVG (34-for-97) during 22-G hitting streak

Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals
.457 AVG (32-for-70) during 17-G hitting streak from July 23-Aug. 12

Saturday’s recommended picks

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins
.351 AVG (34-for-97) during 22-G hitting streak

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
.441 AVG (26-for-59) during 16-G hitting streak

Alfonso Soriano, OF, Cubs
.455 AVG (15-for-33) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Zach Duke

Sunday’s recommended picks

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
.625 AVG (5-for-8) lifetime vs. Rangers starter Dustin Nippert

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins
.545 AVG (6-for-11) lifetime vs. Indians starter Aaron Laffey

Hunter Pence, OF, Astros
.455 AVG (10-for-22) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Braden Looper

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

Yesterday’s results

One day after the third longest streak of the season was snapped, the Top 5 on the BTS leaderboard held steady.

Top dog hammanm tabbed Ichiro Suzuki, who came through with a 1-for-4 day to boost his streak to 38 games. Fourth-place contestant sagtraf2 also went with Ichiro to move up to 34 games.

Hot-hitting Ryan Zimmerman was the choice of second-place holder samolina55 and fifth-place fan nate_14513, who bumped their respective streaks to 37 and 32 games following the Washington third baseman’s 1-for-4 effort.

Third-place contestant Sun_Tenshi went with another sizzling batter in Joe Mauer, receiving a 2-for-4 performance to reach 35 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 13.5%, 1-for-4
2. Troy Tulowitzki (COL): 9.3%, 1-for-4
3. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 8.8%, 2-for-4
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.7%, 2-for-4
5. Michael Young (TEX): 4.9%, 2-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.429 AVG (12-for-28) since ’04 vs. Yankees starter CC Sabathia

Troy Tulowitzki, SS, Rockies
.625 AVG (5-for-8) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins
.359 AVG (33-for-92) during 21-G hitting streak

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

Yesterday’s results

The third-longest streak of the season met its end yesterday.

Michael Young certainly had his chances to come through for the BTS leader, but he wound up hitless in five at-bats to end eggman3131’s run at 41 games. Only 11 contestants in the game’s history have compiled longer streaks.

And so, the next wave of fans will continue their march toward magic No. 56. hammanm, samolina55 and Sun_Tenshi took the safe road toward that end yesterday by tabbing Ichiro Suzuki. The perennial BTS favorite came through with a 1-for-5 day to boost the respective streaks of the new Top 3 to 37, 36 and 34 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 19.4%, 1-for-5
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 6.8%, 2-for-4
3. Michael Young (TEX): 5.0%, 0-for-5
4. Matt Holliday (STL): 4.8%, 3-for-4
5. Joe Mauer (MIN): 3.8%, 1-for-4

 

Today’s recommended picks

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.522 AVG (12-for-23) since ’04 vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins
.364 AVG (32-for-88) during 20-G hitting streak

Cristian Guzman, SS, Nationals
.463 AVG (31-for-67) during 16-G hitting streak; .421 AVG (8-for-19) since ’04 vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe

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

Yesterday’s results

Another day brought more BTS success for eggman3131, who is up to 41 games following a 3-for-6 effort from Hanley Ramirez.

And once again, the rest of the Top 5 held steady in their pursuit of the leader. hammanm also went with Hanley, a move that kept him in second place at 36 games, while samolina55 got just enough from Ryan Zimmerman (1-for-4) to keep pace at 35 games.

Sun_Tenshi moved up to 33 games with the selection of the streaking Orlando Cabrera (1-for-4) and sagtraf2 remained one game behind thanks to a 3-for-5 evening from Derek Jeter.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Joe Mauer (MIN): 11.2%, 3-for-4
2. Carl Crawford (TB): 8.3%, 0-for-4
3. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 8.2%, 3-for-6
4. Jason Kubel (MIN): 5.7%, 2-for-5
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 5.3%, 1-for-4

 

Today’s recommended picks

Jason Kubel, OF, Twins
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Royals starter Kyle Davies

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins
.421 AVG (8-for-19) lifetime vs. Astros starter Roy Oswalt

Orlando Cabrera, SS, Twins
.369 AVG (31-for-84) during 19-G hitting streak

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

Yesterday’s results

Thanks to a 1-for-4 effort from Ichiro Suzuki, eggman3131 pushed his BTS-leading streak to 40 games yesterday.

eggman3131 is the 22nd player to reach that plateau in the game’s history, and the third in 2009. By correctly picking a player to get a hit in each of the next six days, he’ll bypass Tanner Nielsen for the high mark this season.

But the leader’s ascent to the top of the charts hasn’t caused the rest of the field to give up. hammanm extended his own impressive streak to 35 games with a 2-for-5 performance from Jacoby Ellsbury, while samolina55 and Sun_Tenshi also went with Ichiro to extend their respective streaks to 34 and 32 games. sagtraf2 held onto fifth place, at 31 games, following a 1-for-4 showing from Nick Markakis.

 

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 23.9%, 1-for-4
2. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 6.1%, 0-for-2
3. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 5.5%, 2-for-5
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.3%, 1-for-3
5. Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS): 4.4%, 2-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Gavin Floyd

Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox
.429 AVG (6-for-14) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Edwin Jackson

Skip Schumaker, 2B, Cardinals
.400 AVG (4-for-10) lifetime vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto

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

Yesterday’s results

eggman3131 continued his march to Joe D. over the weekend, getting just enough from Albert Pujols (1-for-2) yesterday to boost his BTS-leading streak to 39 games. Only two contestants have put together longer streaks this season.

hammanm also tabbed Prince Albert to hold onto second place, at 34 games, while samolina55 remained one game behind thanks to a 3-for-5 performance from the sizzling Ryan Zimmerman.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 15.1%, 1-for-2
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 10.5%, 2-for-5
3. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 5.8%, 1-for-4
4. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 5.8%, 4-for-6
5. Michael Young (TEX): 3.7%, 1-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
.526 AVG (10-for-19) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm

Mike Napoli, C, Angels
.500 AVG (7-for-14) lifetime vs. Rangers starter Scott Feldman

Orlando Hudson, SS, Twins
.412 AVG (28-for-68) during 16-G hitting streak

Saturday’s recommended picks

Carlos Lee, OF, Astros
.583 AVG (7-for-12) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Manny Parra

Derrek Lee, 1B, Cubs
.571 AVG (8-for-14) since ’04 vs. Rockies starter Jason Marquis

Joe Mauer, C, Twins
.407 AVG (11-for-27) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Justin Verlander

Sunday’s recommended picks

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
.469 AVG (15-for-32) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Zach Duke

Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Red Sox
.409 AVG (9-for-22) lifetime vs. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte

Michael Young, 3B, Rangers
.393 AVG (24-for-61) since ’04 vs. Angels starter John Lackey

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

Yesterday’s results

For the second straight day, the Top 5 held steady on the BTS leaderboard.

eggman3131 went with hit machine Ichiro Suzuki, who came through with a 2-for-5 effort to boost the BTS leader’s streak to 36 games. hammanm inched up to 31 games by tabbing Dustin Pedroia, who continued his mastery of Yankees starter Joba Chamberlain with a 3-for-4 night, and samolina55 joined the 30-game crew with his selection of the sizzling Ryan Zimmerman (4-for-4).

Sun_Tenshi used Ichiro’s two-hit day to move up to 28 games, while slivkid kept pace with the selection of Placido Polanco (2-for-5).

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 26.7%, 2-for-5
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 8.0%, 1-for-5
3. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 6.5%, 3-for-4
4. Joe Mauer (MIN): 5.7%, 1-for-4
5. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 4.3%, 3-for-5