Beat the Streak is back for the 2022 season -- and the $5.6 million prize is still up for grabs.
The idea is simple -- pick one player (or two) every day who you think will get a hit. The objective -- surpass Joe DiMaggio's record-long 56-game hitting streak -- is a bit more challenging.
But we are here to help with that. We'll provide BTS leaderboard updates and daily insights on favorable matchups in this space, as well as every weekday on the new “Beat the Streak Daily: Inside the Hits” podcast.
Let's take a closer look at the action from yesterday and today:
LEADERBOARD DATA
Longest active streak: 33 (scottmeyersla)
Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (12.4%)*
2. Starling Marte, Mets (10.7%)
3. Eloy Jimenez, White Sox (7.6%)*
4. Luis Arraez, Twins (7.2%)
5. Andrew Benintendi, Yankees (4.1%)*
* - Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.8%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.3%)
3. Manny Machado, Padres (4.69%)
4. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (4.61%)
5. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (4.2%)
HITTERS TO TARGET TODAY
Bryce Harper, Phillies (vs. Pirates)
Harper is expected to return to the lineup Friday for the first time since breaking his thumb on June 25 -- and who would be surprised if he returned with a homer or clutch hit? Not only does Harper thrive under the spotlight, but he looked plenty locked in during his two rehab games with Triple-A Lehigh Valley, going 5-for-8 with two homers and two doubles. Sure, that's just Triple-A, but Harper also has a favorable matchup against Pirates starter Bryse Wilson, who enters with a 5.74 ERA and has allowed a .297 opponents' batting average this season.
Alex Bregman, Astros (vs. Orioles)
Bregman has been on a tear in August, hitting .380 with a 1.179 OPS over 22 games. He has 15 extra-base hits during that stretch, including six homers -- and now he gets an ideal matchup against O's starter Kyle Bradish. The rookie right-hander has a 6.25 ERA in 15 starts this season, and he's allowing opponents to hit a blistering .318 with a .903 OPS. Bradish has allowed 15 hits in just 10 1/3 innings over his past two starts -- a span in which opponents are hitting .341.
OFFENSE(S) TO AVOID
Mariners (vs. Guardians -- Shane Bieber)
Bieber has been locked in over the past month, putting up a 1.62 ERA over his past five starts. Opponents are hitting just .208 against him during that span.
Marlins (vs. Dodgers -- Tyler Anderson)
Anderson has held opponents to a .222 average this season, racking up a 2.73 ERA in the process. As if that wasn't reason enough to avoid this matchup, the Dodgers' bullpen also leads the NL in ERA and opponents' batting average.
Cardinals (vs. Braves -- Spencer Strider)
Strider is holding opponents to a .180 average over his past 10 starts, during which he's racked up more than twice as many strikeouts (79) as hits allowed (35) over 53 innings.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Favorable
Nelson Cruz (Nationals): 7-for-12 (.583), 5 XBH (2 HR) vs. Mike Minor
Unfavorable
Ian Happ (Cubs): 1-for-17 (.059), 9 K vs. Freddy Peralta
Andrew McCutchen (Brewers): 1-for-12 (.083), 2 K vs. Justin Steele
Eugenio Suárez (Mariners): 2-for-13 (.154), 7 K vs. Shane Bieber