Play Beat the Streak now -- but pick carefully with tough slate

September 12th, 2022

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: 29 (3725083)

Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)

Longest streak all-time: 51

Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Bryce Harper, Phillies (14.8%)*
2. Christian Walker, D-backs (8.7%)*
3. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (7.8%)*
4. Austin Riley, Braves (5.6%)*
5. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (5.1%)
* - Recorded a hit

Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.6%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.3%)
3. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (4.58%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.52%)
5. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (4.4%)

HITTERS TO TARGET TODAY

Mike Trout, Angels (vs. Guardians)
Let's not overthink this one. Trout is red-hot and there's a limited slate of games on Monday -- so go ahead and lock him in. Not only has Trout homered in six straight games, but he's hitting .316 with a 1.106 OPS over 20 games since returning from the IL. As for his matchup in this one, the Guardians will be turning to left-hander Konnor Pilkington, who has been much stronger out of the bullpen than as a starter this season. Though he's allowed just two hits over seven scoreless innings in his four relief appearances, Pilkington has a 4.69 ERA and has allowed 47 hits in 40 1/3 innings in his nine starts. Trout also has teed off on lefties this season, hitting .333 with a 1.089 OPS and seven home runs in just 90 at-bats, though historically he's actually been slightly better against righties.

Oneil Cruz, Pirates (vs. Reds)
Cruz has started to settle in of late, hitting .412 over his past eight games to raise his season average from .198 to .227. Look for that to continue when the hard-hitting Cruz squares off against Reds starter Mike Minor, who has posted a 5.70 ERA while allowing opponents to hit .294 this season. Even while putting up a 2.60 ERA over his past three starts, Minor has still been scattering plenty of hits, yielding more than one per inning (20 in 17 1/3 innings).

OFFENSE(S) TO AVOID

Tigers (vs. Astros -- Framber Valdez)
Valdez has been one of the most consistent starters in the Majors this season, pitching at least six innings in each of his past 23 starts dating to April 25. He's also allowed three earned runs or fewer in each of those outings, marking the fourth-longest streak in MLB history of consecutive starts of at least six innings while allowing three earned runs or fewer.

Giants (vs. Braves -- Spencer Strider)
There's a reason Strider is not only the NL Rookie of the Year favorite, but he's also inserted himself into the Cy Young conversation despite not entering the starting rotation until May 30. He has a 2.69 ERA this season while holding opponents to a .175 average -- and racking up 183 strikeouts in 120 2/3 innings.

NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS

Favorable

Ketel Marte (D-backs): 10-for-23 (.435), 2 HR vs. Tyler Anderson

Unfavorable

Jonathan India (Reds): 2-for-10, 2 K vs. Bryse Wilson

Bryan Reynolds (Pirates): 1-for-10 (.100), 3 K vs. Mike Minor