Daily Fantasy Baseball: Wainwright, Cruz among today's best starts
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
Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (@ Marlins) -- Wainwright bounced back from a rough start two outings ago, allowing two runs with seven strikeouts in seven innings against the Red Sox. He has yet to face the Marlins this year, but so long as he can make someone other than Giancarlo Stanton beat him, he should be able to handle this lineup. The Marlins are hitting .250/.316/.378 with a 23.5-percent strikeout rate this year.
Infielder
Victor Martinez, Tigers (@ Pirates, Edinson Volquez) -- Martinez is having a big August, slashing .349/.431/.535 with two homers and 10 RBI. In his last three games, he’s 5-for-14 with a pair of RBI and six walks. While he’s 0-for-4 against Volquez in his career, a hitter like Martinez is always in a good spot going up against a pitcher like Volquez. The latter shut down the Marlins in his last start, but allowed 10 runs in his previous 15 2/3 innings.
Outfielder
Nelson Cruz, Orioles (vs. Yankees, Shane Greene) -- Cruz has been hot again recently, going 5-for-10 with two homers, two doubles and six RBI in his last three games. Cruz went 0-for-3 against Greene in the pitcher’s only start against Baltimore this year, but that’s far too small a sample from which to draw any conclusions. He’s now slashing .263/.333/.522 with 31 homers, 21 doubles and 83 RBI this season, and is a strong play in daily fantasy leagues on Tuesday.
Other Recommendations
Pitchers
Wily Peralta, Brewers (@ Cubs) -- Peralta has a 1.64 ERA and 24 strikeouts in his last 33 innings, a stretch covering five starts. The Cubs, meanwhile, have six runs total in their last four games.
Chris Sale, White Sox (@ Giants) -- A pitcher like Sale in a stadium like AT&T Park makes for a dangerous combination for the Giants.
Infielders
Adrian Gonzalez, Dodgers (@ Braves, Mike Minor) -- Gonzalez is 11-for-19 with two homers, three doubles and eight RBI in his last five games.
Jose Abreu, White Sox (@ Giants, Ryan Vogelsong) -- Abreu is on a 12-game homerless streak, his longest such drought of the season. A hitter like him is bound to break out of a funk like that before long.
Outfielders
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (@ Mariners, Chris Young) -- Bautista has three homers, two doubles, six walks and 10 RBI in his last 11 games.
Jay Bruce, Reds (vs. Red Sox, Joe Kelly) -- Bruce is having his second-best month of the season, slashing .279/.326/.419 with two home runs in August.
