Hyun-jin Ryu, Jose Abreu must-plays in today's Daily Fantasy

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
Hyun-jin Ryu, Jose Abreu must-plays in today's Daily Fantasy
Hyun-jin Ryu, Jose Abreu must-plays in today's Daily Fantasy /

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.

Hyun-jin Ryu, Dodgers (vs. Cubs) – Ryu has settled after allowing seven runs to the Tigers in 2 1/3 innings back on July 8. In three starts since that blowup, he has surrendered a total of five runs with 22 strikeouts in 19 innings. He takes on a Cubs team on Saturday that is hitting .240/.300/.383 with a .302 wOBA and 87 weighted runs created plus. They also have the third-highest strikeout rate in the league at 22.7 percent.

Jose Abreu, White Sox (vs. Twins, Yohan Pino) – Until someone proves they can get Abreu out with the slightest measure of consistency, he’s going to be the guy in daily fantasy leagues. The White Sox’ first baseman went 3-for-3 with a hit by pitch and an RBI Friday. He’s now slashing .310/.364/.639 with a league-leading 31 homers and 84 RBI. He’s 36-for-76 with four homers, 11 doubles and 15 RBI on his current 21-game hitting streak.

FanNation app debuts with Baseball Throwdown, a daily fantasy challenge

Giancarlo Stanton, Marlins (vs. Reds, Homer Bailey) – Stanton comes into Saturday’s action swinging a hot bat, having homered in three straight games. In his last four contests, he’s 4-for-13 with those three bombs, a double and five RBI. Stanton hadn’t homered since July 19 before going on this barrage, which qualifies as a serious drought for the slugging Miami right fielder. Meanwhile, Homer Bailey has struggled keeping balls in the yard this year, allowing 16 home runs in 131 2/3 innings. His 1.09 homers surrendered per nine innings is the 17th-most in the majors.

Other Recommendations

Pitchers

Jordan Zimmermann, Nationals (vs. Phillies) – Zimmermann did struggle his last time out against the Phillies, but they remain a good matchup for the Washington righty. He held them to eight scoreless in his first start against them this season.

Jon Lester, A’s (vs. Royals) – Lester makes his A’s debut against the Royals, a team he just shut out for eight innings while allowing only four hits and striking out eight on July 20.

Infielders

Jonathan Lucroy, Brewers (@ Cardinals, Justin Masterson) – Lucroy had been in a mini-slump, but went 2-for-4 with a double, three RBI, two runs scored and a walk on Friday.

Miguel Cabrera, Tigers (vs. Rockies, Tyler Matzek) – Cabrera is 6-for-16 with a pair of walks in his last four games, and now carries a .312/.367/.525 slash line for the season.

Outfielders

Mike Trout, Angels (@ Rays, Chris Archer) – Trout is 4-for-7 with two walks against Archer in his career and is 6-for-14 with a homer, double, triple and two free passes in his last four games.

Gregory Polanco, Pirates (@ Diamondbacks, Chase Anderson) – Polanco has five hits in his last 13 at-bats, and is hitting .290/.371/.387 against righties in his rookie year.


Published
Michael Beller
MICHAEL BELLER

Michael Beller is SI.com's fantasy sports editor and a staff writer covering fantasy, college basketball and MLB. He resides in Chicago and has been with SI.com since 2010.