Daily fantasy baseball: Start Kazmir, Cabrera to win today's 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

Scott Kazmir, A’s (vs. Mets) -- The second half hasn’t been kind to Kazmir, but he got back on track a bit his last time out against the Royals. He allowed three runs on seven hits in seven innings against one of the hottest teams in baseball. He draws a much easier opponent on Tuesday, going up against a Mets team that is hitting just .235/.306/.354 with a 21.1-percent strikeout rate this season. The Mets rank 29th in batting average, 23rd in OBP, and 29th in slugging. Kazmir should have a good game against the organization that drafted him.

Infielder

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (@ Rays, Chris Archer) -- Any time you can get Cabrera at a three-point projection in Baseball Throwdown, you should do it. Cabrera went 0-for-3 with a walk and a run on Monday. In his three previous games, he was 5-for-11 with four doubles and three runs. He is just 1-for-5 against Archer in his career, though he has drawn two free passes. The Tigers are reeling, and need their best offensive player to get it going to right the ship.

Outfielder

Alex Gordon, Royals (@ Rockies, Tyler Matzek) -- Gordon is on a five-game hitting streak, during which he has gone 9-for-19 with a double, triple, homer, two RBI and six runs scored. The modest hot streak has increased his slash line to .286/.362/.448 from .278/.353/.432. Add in the welcoming environment of Coors Field, and Gordon, who is hitting .262/.347/.446 against lefties this year, becomes a strong play in daily fantasy games.

Other recommendations

Pitchers

Hisashi Iwakuma, Mariners (@ Phillies) -- Iwakuma has allowed just four runs in his last four starts, a stretch that covers 28 1/3 innings.
Ryan Vogelsong, Giants (@ Cubs) -- The Cubs have been whiffing at a ridiculous rate over the last 10 days, and Vogelsong can take advantage of their swing-and-miss tendencies.

Infielders

Jose Altuve, Astros (@ Yankees, Chris Capuano) -- Altuve is 6-for-10 with a homer and four RBI in his last two games, and is hitting .424/.446/.568 against lefties this year.
David Oritz, Red Sox (vs. Angels, Jered Weaver) -- Ortiz is 11-for-40 with three homers, two doubles, 10 RBI and an .898 OPS against Weaver in his career.

Outfielders

Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (vs. Rangers, Miles Mikolas) -- Stanton is 7-for-14 with a homer, six RBI and four walks on his current four-game hitting streak.
Corey Dickerson, Rockies (vs. Royals, James Shields) -- Dickerson got two more hits on Monday, and is now hitting .417 with four homers, five doubles, a triple and 17 RBI on his current 12-game hitting streak.