Daily fantasy baseball lineup: Start Jake Arrieta, Andrew McCutchen
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
Jake Arrieta, Cubs (@ Blue Jays) — Arrieta bounced back from one of his worst starts of the year by allowing just one run on five hits in six innings in a win over the Brewers his last time out. He has had a couple of rocky outings over the last month or so, but has remained one of the big surprises of the 2014 season. The Blue Jays always present a tough matchup, especially at the Rogers Centre, but Arrieta has major strikeout potential, and that’s what helps pitchers score well in the Baseball Throwdown.
Infielder
Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (vs. Royals, Jason Vargas) — Cabrera’s name is just going to be copied and pasted into this spot until he cools off at the plate. He went 2-for-5 with a run and an RBI yesterday and is now 17-for-35 with five homers in his last eight games. He has increased his season slash line to .311/.370/.517 from .302/.366/.499 in that timeframe, getting himself back into the MVP discussion. Cabrera is also 4-for-15 with a homer, two doubles, three RBI and six walks against Vargas in his career.
Outfielder
Andrew McCutchen, Pirates (@ Phillies, David Buchanan) — Just like Cabrera, McCutchen is a former MVP hitting everything in sight in the hopes of getting his team back to the playoffs. He has nine hits, including a home run, in his last 14 at-bats, a stretch that covers three games. The Pirates won all three of those games, and have a 1 1/2-game lead over the Braves and Brewers for the second wild card. McCutchen has one hit, a homer, in three at-bats against Buchanan.
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Pitchers
Andrew Cashner, Padres (@ Dodgers) — Cashner has allowed just five earned runs in 18 innings since returning from the DL. He had his best start since returning his last time out, giving up two earned on five hits and fanning five batters in seven innings.
Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals (vs. Braves) — Zimmermann has surrendered six runs and struck out 24 batters in his last 20 1/3 innings. He has allowed just three runs in 12 innings against the Braves this year.
Infielders
Nolan Arenado, Rockies (@ Mets, Jacob deGrom) — Arenado has homers in four of his last five games, driving in seven runs in that stretch.
Victor Martinez, Tigers (vs. Royals, Jason Vargas) — Martinez is 16-for-34 in his last eight games and 4-for-9 lifetime against Vargas.
Outfielders
Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (vs. Cubs, Jake Arrieta) – Bautista has left the yard three times in his last four games and is 17-for-49 on his current 12-game hitting streak.
Nelson Cruz, Orioles (@ Red Sox, Anthony Ranaudo) – Cruz is 15-for-39 with five homers and 13 RBI in his last 10 games.
