Daily Fantasy: Best options for Thursday's MLB games
SI's FanNation app has arrived, offering daily fantasy sports games that let you put your skills on the line for money or just for bragging rights, leading off with the launch of Baseball Throwdown. Every day, SI's Michael Beller will release his lineup for that day's Baseball Throwdown contest and offer up other recommendations to get your team ready for the day's slate of games. Download the FanNation app today and get started challenging your friends.
Pitcher
Pitching Report: Bradley still has a chance to make a fantasy impact
Tyson Ross, Padres (@ Cubs) -- Ross has been great in the last month, a span covering six turns through the rotation. He has allowed a total of seven runs on 30 hits in 43 innings, striking out 42 while walking just six in starts against the Dodgers (twice), Diamondbacks, Reds, Rockies and Mets. He takes the ball Thursday against a Cubs team that is hitting .237/.298/.383 with a .301 wOBA and 86 weighted runs created plus. The Cubs also have a 22.7-percent strikeout rate.
Infielder
David Ortiz, Red Sox (@ Blue Jays, Marcus Stroman) -- Ortiz has been crushing the ball of late, going 5-for-14 in his last three games with four homers, a double, and eight RBI. He features reverse platoon splits this year, but has a career .300/.407/.605 slash line against righties. Toronto is a great place to hit, and Ortiz should feast this afternoon.
Outfielder
Hunter Pence, Giants (@ Phillies, Cole Hamels) -- Pence has loved stepping in the box against Hamels in his career, touching his one-time teammate up for a .353/.389/.471 slash line. He carries a six-game hitting streak into Thursday’s action, in which he has gone 12-for-26 with a home run, three doubles, one triple and eight RBI.
Other recommendations
Pitchers
• Jeff Samardzija, A’s (vs. Astros) -- Samardzija has allowed eight runs in 22 innings in the American league, but should find the Astros an inviting opponent, especially without George Springer.
• Corey Kluber, Indians (@ Royals) -- Kluber has started three times against the Royals this year, working one complete game and tossing 8 1/3 innings in another. He has 26 strikeouts in 22 2/3 innings against Cleveland’s division rival.
Infielders
• Brandon Moss, A’s (vs. Astros, Scott Feldman) -- Moss hasn’t had more than one hit in a game since July 10, but he has left the yard four times in the month.
• Brian Dozier, Twins (vs. White Sox, Hector Noesi) -- Dozier has faced Noesi six times, getting two hits, including one home run.
Outfielders
• Curtis Granderson, Mets (@ Brewers, Matt Garza) -- Assuming Granderson can play through an illness on Thursday, he’s a strong bet in the Throwdown. He’s hitting .292/.333/.583 with four doubles and a homer in 27 career plate appearances against Garza.
• Jacoby Ellsbury, Yankees (vs. Rangers, Colby Lewis) -- Ellsbury has eight hits -- including a homer and a double -- in his last 15 at-bats.
