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: 40 (WestD3)
Longest season streak: 40 (WestD3)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Yordan Alvarez, Astros (16.8%)*
2. Michael Brantley, Astros (8.3%)*
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (8.2%)*
4. Trea Turner, Dodgers (6.1%)*
5. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (3.7%)*
* - Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (8.0%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (7.3%)
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (5.2%)
4. Michael Brantley, Astros (4.1%)
5. José Iglesias, Rockies (4%)
HITTERS TO TARGET TODAY
Ty France, Mariners (at Astros)
France is batting .324 this season, and he's a .467 hitter against Astros starter José Urquidy (7-for-15 with a homer and a double) as the batter Urquidy's had to face most often in his career. Urquidy is allowing 12.2 hits per nine innings this season, and he allowed 12 hits the last time he faced the Mariners and eight in his first start against them this year.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (at Royals)
Vlad Jr. already has four home runs since the start of June, and six in the last two weeks. Royals starter Brady Singer is coming off an eight-hit, three-homer, seven-run shelling by the Astros his last time out.
Joc Pederson, Giants (vs. Rockies)
Pederson has six home runs in the last two weeks, and in his role as a power bat vs. right-handed pitchers, he's posted a .984 OPS for the Giants this season. Rockies righty Antonio Senzatela has allowed 61 hits in just 35 innings this season, with only 14 strikeouts -- that's 15.7 hits per nine innings, and only 3.6 K's per nine.
OFFENSE(S) TO AVOID
Nationals (at Marlins -- Sandy Alcantara)
Alcantara is on a run of five straight starts with seven or more innings pitched and one or fewer earned runs allowed. One of those games came against the Nats, whom he's held to two runs in 14 innings over two starts this season.
Twins (vs. Yankees -- Nestor Cortes)
Nasty Nestor is leading the Majors with a 1.50 ERA this season, and he's pitched seven or more innings in four of his last five starts. In that stretch, he has a 1.27 ERA and is allowing a .153 batting average, holding opponents to 19 hits in 35 1/3 innings.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Favorable
Jose Altuve (Astros): 6-for-11 (.546), HR, 3 2B, 0 K vs. Logan Gilbert
Justin Turner (Dodgers): 15-for-40 (.375), 2 HR, 4 2B vs. Johnny Cueto
Willson Contreras (Cubs): 4-for-7 (.571), 2 HR, 2B vs. Jordan Lyles
Christian Yelich (Brewers): 9-for-26 (.346), HR, 3B, 2 2B vs. Aaron Nola
Nick Castellanos (Phillies): 8-for-23 (.348), HR, 3 2B vs. Adrian Houser
Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): 14-for-33 (.424), 2 2B vs. Alex Wood
Unfavorable
Aaron Judge (Yankees): 2-for-12 (.167), 2B, 7 K vs. Chris Archer
Mitch Garver (Rangers): 2-for-16 (.125), 10 K vs. Shane Bieber
Albert Pujols (Cardinals): 1-for-20 (.050), 3 K vs. Corey Kluber