Daily fantasy baseball lineup: Start Jose Altuve, Yasiel Puig

Author:
Michael Beller
Publish date:
Sep 22, 2014

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.

Best and worst weekly performers

P Corey Kluber (Cleveland Indians): +23.5 over 2 games, +11.75 avg
IF A.J. Ellis (Los Angeles Dodgers): +12.0 over 5 games, +2.4 avg
OF Michael Cuddyer (Colorado Rockies): +21.0 over 5 games = +4.2 avg

P Hisashi Iwakuma (Seattle Mariners): -15.5 over 2 games = -7.75 avg
IF Adam Lind (Toronto Blue Jays): -14.0 over 5 games = -2.8 avg
OF Khris Davis (Milwaukee Brewers): -17.0 over 5 games = -3.4 avg

Pitcher

Francisco Liriano, Pirates (@ Braves) — Liriano has been lights out over the last month. In his last five starts, he has allowed just three runs and fanned 36 batters in 33 innings. The last team Liriano faced before that run was the Braves, who touched him up for seven earned runs and 10 hits in four innings. He may have struggled against them his last time out, but he has been pitching much better of late, and the Braves have a 22.4-percent strikeout rate, the fourth highest in the league.

Infielder

Jose Altuve, Astros (@ Rangers, Derek Holland) — Altuve entered the month of September hitting .340/.377/.451 and has somehow increased that across the board. He's slashing .413/.438/.587 in the month, moving his line to .345/.381/.458 for the season. Altuve has been especially hot recently, going 7-for-11 with two doubles and two RBI in the Astros' weekend series against the Mariners.

Outfielder

Yasiel Puig, Dodgers (vs. Giants, Jake Peavy) — Puig has been one of the hottest hitters over the last 10 days; since Sept. 12, he's 18-for-43 with four doubles, two homers and six RBI. He's also back above .300, slashing .301/.386/.486 on the season.

Other Recommendations

Pitchers

Adam Wainwright, Cardinals (@ Cubs) — Wainwright has allowed just two runs while striking out 18 batters in his last 26 innings, a stretch that only covers three starts.

Danny Duffy, Royals (@ Indians) — Duffy will make his first start in a few weeks after dealing with a shoulder issue. He allowed one earned run and struck out six batters in 6 2/3 innings in his last start against the Indians.

Infielders

Adrian Beltre, Rangers (vs. Astros, Nick Tropeano) — Beltre is coming off a big weekend series during which he went 5-for-11 with three doubles and four RBI.

Hanley Ramirez, Dodgers (vs. Giants, Jake Peavy) — Ramirez is 7-for-14 with three doubles and two RBI in his last four games.

Outfielders

Jose Bautista, Blue Jays (vs. Seattle, James Paxton) — Bautista has four hits, including two homers, and four RBI in his last four games.

Norichika Aoki, Royals (@ Indians, Carlos Carrasco) — Aoki is slashing .410/.478/.525 in September.