Daily fantasy baseball: Start Sale, Reyes to win Friday'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 picks to get your team ready for the day's slate of games. Download the FanNation app today and get started challenging your friends.
Pitcher
Chris Sale, Chicago White Sox (@ Indians) -- Sale struck out a season-high 13 batters in his last start, allowing three runs in seven innings in a win over the Tigers. He has surrendered a total of six runs in his last 27 innings, a stretch covering four starts. Even more impressively, he has fanned 40 batters in those starts, and has struck out at least at least a batter per inning in each of his last eight starts. Sale made one start against the Indians this year that was cut short due to rain, but he was cruising, having tossed three hitless innings and striking out four.
Infielder
Jose Reyes, Toronto Blue Jays (@ Red Sox, Allen Webster) -- Reyes really seemed to turn a corner after the All-Star break. He’s hitting .309/.335/.409 in the second half, which doesn’t sound great, but is a huge turnaround from the first half of the season. More recently, he went 4-for-10 in Toronto’s first two games in September with a homer, triple and three RBI. He’s slashing .296/.337/.429 against righties this year.
Outfielder
Corey Dickerson, Colorado Rockies (vs. Padres, Eric Stults) -- Dickerson is one of the hottest hitters in baseball, going 5-for-10 with two homers, a double and five RBI in his last three games. As we’ve discussed in this space before, he is a terror at home. He’s now hitting .361/.417/.686 with 13 homers at Coors Field. While he is much better against righties, he’s still slashing a respectable .275/.342/.449 against same-siders.
Other Recommendations
Pitchers
Hisashi Iwakuma, Seattle Mariners (@ Rangers) -- In his only other start against the Rangers this year, Iwakuma allowed one run with six strikeouts in eight innings.
James Shields, Kansas City Royals (@ Yankees) -- The Yankees got to Shields two weeks ago, but he bounced back with a strong outing against the Indians in his last start.
Infielders
Jose Altuve, Houston Astros (@ A’s, Jeff Samardzija) -- Altuve is riding an 11-game hitting streak, during which he has gone 19-for-47 with a homer, six doubles and four steals.
Ian Kinsler, Detroit Tigers (vs. Giants, Jake Peavy) -- Kinsler is 13-for-39 with a homer, three doubles, a triple and even RBI during his current eight-game hitting streak.
Outfielders
Matt Holliday, St. Louis Cardinals (@ Brewers, Mike Fiers) -- Holliday has 10 hits – including three homers – and 12 RBI in his last six games.
Hunter Pence, San Francisco Giants (@ Tigers, Rick Porcello) -- Pence is 25-for-61 with three homers and 15 RBI on his current 16-game hitting streak.
