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 at the action from yesterday and today:
LEADERBOARD DATA
Longest active streak: 39 (collinbjohnson)
Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (28.8%)*
2. Trea Turner, Dodgers (21.8%)*
3. Kris Bryant, Rockies (9%)*
4. Aaron Judge, Yankees (3.6%)*
5. Yordan Alvarez, Astros (2.7%)*
* - Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.5%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.7%)
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (5.2%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.7%)
5. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (3.2%)
HITTERS TO TARGET TODAY
Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (vs. Rockies)
Yes, we're going back to the well on Freeman -- and can you blame us? He's hitting .377 over his last 42 games, including a hit in last night's series opener at Coors Field (he also walked twice). Between his ridiculous hot streak at the plate and playing at the hitters' paradise that is Coors Field, it's hard to find a better option than Freeman.
DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (vs. Royals)
LeMahieu bounced back following a disappointing May by putting together a solid June -- and an even better July. He's in a good spot to keep that going against Royals left-hander Kris Bubic, who comes into the game with a 5.53 ERA in 16 outings (15 starts) this season. It also doesn't hurt that LeMahieu is a .316 career hitter against left-handers (.293 vs. righties).
Ryan Mountcastle, Orioles (vs. Reds)
This pick is mostly about the favorable matchup against Reds left-hander Mike Minor, who enters with a 6.65 ERA in nine starts this season. Cedric Mullins would typically be the go-to Oriole, but that would put us in a lefty-vs.-lefty situation -- so we'll instead roll with Mountcastle. Minor has allowed 55 hits in 46 innings this season, and he's allowed at least one home run in eight of his nine starts. Overall, opponents are hitting .291 with a .958 OPS against the veteran starter.
OFFENSE(S) TO AVOID
Mets (vs. Marlins -- Sandy Alcantara)
This will be the fourth time the Mets have seen Alcantara in the last six weeks -- but the extra looks don't necessarily seem to be helping. Though New York tagged Alcantara for five runs (four earned) over seven innings on June 24, the Marlins ace responded by twirling seven scoreless frames in their last meeting on July 10. Overall, Alcantara has a 1.81 ERA and is holding opposing hitters to a miniscule .187 average this season.
Red Sox (vs. Brewers -- Brandon Woodruff)
Woodruff has looked like his dominant self since returning from a right ankle injury that sidelined him for a month. He's 3-0 with a 2.20 ERA in five starts since rejoining the club, all while racking up 39 strikeouts in just 28 2/3 innings.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Favorable
Gary Sánchez (Twins): 6-for-20 (.300), 5 HR vs. Blake Snell
Unfavorable
Pete Alonso (Mets): 5-for-27 (.185), 7 K vs. Sandy Alcantara
Eduardo Escobar (Mets): 2-for-18 (.111), 1 K vs. Alcantara