Today’s recommended picks

Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels
.377 AVG (29-for-77) during 20-G hitting streak

Miguel Cabrera, 1B, Tigers
.324 AVG (22-for-68) during 17-G hitting streak; .600 AVG (3-for-5) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn

Carl Crawford, OF, Rays
.474 AVG (9-for-19) since ’04 vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle

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

Yesterday’s results

Two contestants fell from the BTS Top 5, as rockinrick saw his 30-streak end with the selection of Ichiro Suzuki (0-for-4) and davidmata received a 0-for-4 effort from Albert Pujols to snap his 27-game run.

As a result, momfannie took over the top spot with the selection of Cubs catalyst Ryan Theriot (3-for-5), boosting her streak to 31 games. rbgoulet1 slid into second place at 30 games by getting just enough (1-for-4) from the streaking Miguel Cabrera, and matt1448 took over third place at 28 games thanks for a 1-for-3 day from Hanley Ramirez. Three more fans are tied for fourth at 27 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 13.2%, 0-for-4
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 8.9%, 1-for-5
3. James Loney (LAD): 6.8%, 1-for-3
4. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 5.4%, 0-for-4
5. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 4.7%, 1-for-3

 

Today’s recommended picks

Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels
.375 AVG (27-for-72) during 19-G hitting streak

James Loney, 1B, Dodgers
.583 AVG (7-for-12) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo

Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox
.500 AVG (5-for-10) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields

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

Yesterday’s results

Another day of action produced another change at the top of the BTS leaderboard.

This time, it was btkroos who fell from the top of the pack. The BTS leader went with Colorado’s Todd Helton, who entered the day with a robust .388 average in July, but Helton went 0-for-5 to end btkroos’ run at 31 games.

As a result, momfannie and rockinrick rocked into the top spot, at 30 games, with their respective picks of Miguel Tejada (2-for-3) and Ichiro Suzuki (1-for-5). rbgoulet1 also went with the Seattle hit king to push his streak to 29 games and take over third place.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 14.7%, 1-for-5
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 8.2%, 1-for-3
3. Scott Rolen (TOR): 4.9%, 2-for-4
4. Ryan Braun (MIL): 4.6%, 1-for-5
5. Joe Mauer (MIN): 3.1%, 2-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Kendry Morales, 1B, Angels
.373 AVG (25-for-67) during 18-G hitting streak

Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays
.556 AVG (5-for-9) since ’04 vs. Indians starter Cliff Lee; .318 AVG in ’09

Aaron Rowand, OF, Giants
.500 AVG (10-for-20) since ’04 vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe

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

Yesterday’s results

It was one of those nights when several BTS front-runners fell from the pack, though it wasn’t because everyone was done in by one superstar’s rare hitless game.

rook3256 went a somewhat unusual route by tabbing B.J. Upton, who went 0-for-3 with a walk to end the leader’s streak at 34 games. Second-place fan kd21 went with Derek Jeter — certainly a reasonable selection, but the Yankees captain matched Upton’s output to end that streak at 33 games. alexanderreynoso picked Robinson Cano, but Cano fared no better than his double-play partner, turning in a 0-for-3 performance to snap alexanderreynoso’s run at 30 games.

The upheaval left btkroos, who went with Joe Mauer (1-for-1), as the owner of first place with his 31-game streak. momfannie and rockinrick took over a share of second place, at 29 games, with their respective picks of Matt Kemp and Albert Pujols (both 1-for-3). rbgoulet1, meanwhile, held steady at 28 games with Chone Figgins and the Angels having their game postponed.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 20.0%, 1-for-3
2. Joe Mauer (MIN): 8.6%, 1-for-1
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.4%, 0-for-3
4. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 5.4%, 2-for-4
5. Chone Figgins (LAA): 4.9%, 0-for-0

 

Today’s recommended picks

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
.667 AVG (6-for-9) since ’04 vs. Astros starter Brian Moehler

Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Red Sox
.500 AVG (6-for-12) since ’04 vs. Rangers starter Kevin Millwood

Hunter Pence, OF, Astros
.400 AVG (8-for-20) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

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

Yesterday’s results

Many players use the All-Star break as a rejuvenation period, and it seems the same may have held true in the BTS world.

Leader rook3256 has his streak up to 34 games, showing he’s no rookie when it comes to making picks. Yesterday, he went with Seattle hit machine Ichiro Suzuki (3-for-4).

kd21 remained close behind, at 33 games, following Miguel Cabrera’s 2-for-4 effort in the Bronx. alexanderreynoso, btkroos and mhhumm830 all extended their runs to 30 games to round out the Top 5.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 14.2%, 3-for-4
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 11.5%, 1-for-4
3. Shane Victorino (PHI): 5.1%, 1-for-3
4. Nick Markakis (BAL): 5.1%, 0-for-3
5. Joe Mauer (MIN): 4.4%, 0-for-6

 

Today’s recommended picks

Brian McCann, C, Braves
.400 AVG (8-for-20) lifetime vs. Mets starter Mike Pelfrey

Hanley Ramirez, SS, Marlins
.346 AVG (9-for-26) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Cole Hamels; .346 AVG in ’09

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.360 AVG in ’09; .362 AVG (55-for-152) lifetime at Progressive Field

Saturday’s recommended picks

Victor Martinez, C, Indians
.421 AVG (8-for-19) since ’04 vs. Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn

Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
.364 AVG (12-for-33) lifetime vs. Reds starter Aaron Harang

Jermaine Dye, OF, White Sox
.500 AVG (4-for-8) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie; .350 AVG in July

Sunday’s recommended picks

Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Pirates
.538 AVG (7-for-13) lifetime vs. Giants starter Matt Cain

Shane Victorino, OF, Phillies
.533 AVG (8-for-15) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Andrew Miller

Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles
.500 AVG (8-for-16) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Jose Contreras

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

Yesterday’s results

The start of the second half didn’t produce favorable results for many of the BTS leaders. To be more specific, it didn’t produce favorable results for those who picked Hanley Ramirez.

The All-Star shortstop went 0-for-3 vs. the Phillies, ending the 32-game run of leader ryancaraher and knocking two other contestants from the Top 5.

Fortunately, not everyone who built up a long streak heading into the break wound up on the short end of a hitless performance by Hanley. rook3256 went with old reliable Ichiro Suzuki (1-for-4) and sportsboom tabbed veteran hit machine Chipper Jones (1-for-4), successful picks that left them in a tie for first place at 32 games.

kd21 went the more unconventional route with his selection of Martin Prado, but he was rewarded with a 1-for-4 effort to take over third place at 30 games. Five more are tied for fourth at 27 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 17.4%, 1-for-4
2. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 10.1%, 0-for-3
3. Chipper Jones (ATL): 9.7%, 1-for-4
4. Jimmy Rollins (PHI): 6.0%, 1-for-5
5. Aramis Ramirez (CHC): 4.9%, 0-for-3

 

Today’s recommended picks

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
.440 AVG (11-for-25) since ’04 vs. Mets starter Oliver Perez

Chone Figgins, 3B, Angels
.500 AVG (5-for-10) lifetime vs. A’s starter Dallas Braden

Jimmy Rollins, SS, Phillies
.385 AVG (5-for-13) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Chris Volstad; .378 AVG in July

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

First-half recap

The first three-plus months of BTS play featured its share of long streaks and nail-biting moments as fans took their best shot at toppling Joe DiMaggio’s magic No. 56.

Shortly after it was announced in early June that the top prize of $1 million would be increased by $10,000 every day, a few contestants made a spirited run at grabbing the jackpot. TannerNielsen ran his streak all the way up to 45 games, the longest of the season and tied for the fourth-longest in history, before it was snapped by a rare hitless day from Joe Mauer on June 23.

June 23 also turned out to be a bad day for paulcmoss84 and crtownse, who saw their respective streaks of 39 and 38 games come to an end that night. FROD, who tied for the second-longest mark of the season at 39 games, wound up back at square one a few days later. Altogether, seven contestants recorded a streak of at least 35 games, and 50 put together a streak of at least 30 games.

Entering the second half, ryancaraher leads the pack with a 32-game streak. rook3256, sportsboom and wfahey are tied for second at 31 games, and Mattie21H rounds out the Top 5 at 30 games.

 

Today’s recommended picks

Joe Mauer, C, Twins
.500 AVG (9-for-18) lifetime vs. White Sox starter John Danks

Yunel Escobar, SS, Braves
.625 AVG (5-for-8) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez

Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays
.390 AVG (41-for-105) during 25-G hit streak

Saturday’s recommended picks

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.433 AVG (26-for-60) since ’04 vs. Rangers starter Kevin Millwood; .361 AVG in ’09

Michael Young, 3B, Rangers
.400 AVG (16-for-40) vs. Mariners starter Jarrod Washburn since ’04

Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays
.390 AVG (41-for-105) during 25-G hit streak

Sunday’s recommended picks

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
.667 AVG (6-for-9) lifetime vs. Astros starter Brian Moehler; Moehler: .292 AVG against in ’09

David Wright, 3B, Mets
.600 AVG (6-for-10) lifetime vs. Reds starter Aaron Harang

Johnny Damon, OF, Yankees
.429 AVG (15-for-35) since ’04 vs. Angels starter John Lackey

 

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

Yesterday’s results

A hitless performance from Albert Pujols ended two of the BTS field’s three longest streaks on Wednesday, but Prince Albert came through for the front-runners yesterday.

Thanks to Pujols’ two hits, ryancaraher pushed his BTS-leading streak to 29 games, sportsboom and wfahey kept pace one game behind and Mattie21H held onto fifth place, at 27 games.

Co-second-place holder rook3256 was the only contestant in the Top 5 to go with a different player, and Carl Crawford’s 1-for-4 effort was just enough to keep him in the running with the rest of the Pujols pack.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chase Utley (PHI): 11.7%, 2-for-5
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 11.5%, 3-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 9.2%, 2-for-5
4. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 5.9%, 1-for-1
5. Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS): 4.0%, 0-for-4

 

Today’s recommended picks

Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
.500 AVG (5-for-10) lifetime vs. Reds starter Micah Owings

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
.400 AVG (8-for-20) since ’04 vs. Rockies starter Aaron Cook

Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays
.390 AVG (41-for-105) during 25-G hit streak

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

Yesterday’s results

Illustrating how quickly a stretch of good luck can go sour in the BTS world, the Top 3 contestants all found themselves starting from scratch following yesterday’s action.

Leader greg4263 (32 games) and co-second-place fan racin248 (29) simply picked the wrong day to go with the normally reliable Albert Pujols, who went 0-for-4 vs. the Brewers. And while grebecks (29) made a seemingly smart choice by going with the hot-hitting Chase Utley, he couldn’t have foreseen that the Phils second baseman would be cooled off with an identical 0-for-4 effort.

The upheaval allowed ryancaraher to take over the top spot at 28 games with his selection of Ryan Braun (2-for-4). rook3256, sportsboom and wfahey all went with Ichiro Suzuki (1-for-5), giving them a share of second place at 27 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 12.7%, 1-for-5
2. Ryan Braun (MIL): 10.9%, 2-for-4
3. Albert Pujols (STL): 9.7%, 0-for-4
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): 2.5%, 2-for-5
5. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 2.5%, 1-for-5

 

Today’s recommended picks

Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
.538 AVG (7-for-13) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Todd Wellemeyer; Wellemeyer: .314 AVG against in ’09

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
.389 AVG (7-for-18) since ’04 vs. Brewers starter Jeff Suppan

Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays
.380 AVG (38-for-100) during 24-G hit streak

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

Yesterday’s results

Once again, hit-maker Ichiro Suzuki was the go-to guy for the BTS front-runners.

The Seattle speedster came through with a single in four at-bats vs. the O’s, pushing the respective streaks of leader greg4263 and co-second-place holder grebecks to 32 and 29 games. Fourth-place contestant ryancaraher also tabbed Ichiro, as did six of the Top 8 fans.

racin248 elected to go a different route, but still held on to a tie for second place thanks to a 2-for-5 night from Washington’s Ryan Zimmerman.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 14.3%, 1-for-4
2. Freddy Sanchez (PIT): 7.7%, 0-for-0
3. Michael Young (TEX): 3.8%, 1-for-4
4. Carl Crawford (TB): 3.7%, 0-for-5
5. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 3.7%, 0-for-4

 

Today’s recommended picks

Scott Rolen, 3B, Blue Jays
.389 AVG (37-for-95) during 23-G hit streak

Freddy Sanchez, 2B, Pirates
.579 AVG (11-for-19) lifetime vs. Astros starter Brian Moehler

Michael Young, 2B, Rangers
.397 AVG (23-for-58) since ’04 vs. Angels starter John Lackey

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

Yesterday’s results

When in doubt, go with Ichiro; that seemed to be the philosophy of much of the BTS community yesterday.

It’s hard to argue with that approach, especially since the Seattle hit machine came through for his fans again. His 1-for-5 performance extended the streak of BTS leader greg4263 to 31 games, and bumped co-second-place holder grebecks up to 28 games. Altogether, five of the Top 7 fans and 22.6 percent of BTS contestants went with Ichiro.

racin248 was one of the brave few who picked a different player, and his selection of Derrek Lee (2-for-4) helped him remain in a tie for second place. taylorjanney also took a different route by tabbing Kevin Youkilis, but wound up with a 0-for-4 effort to see his run snapped at 27 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 22.6%, 1-for-5
2. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 5.3%, 0-for-4
3. Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS): 5.2%, 0-for-4
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 4.0%, 0-for-0
5. Jason Bay (BOS): 3.7%, 1-for-3