Terry Sims is just eight picks away in MLB.com's Beat the Streak contest from doing what has never been done: claiming the $5.6 million prize for correctly selecting a player to get a hit on a given day 57 consecutive times, in honor of Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak in 1941.
On Saturday, Sims tied the all-time BTS record of 49 straight games when Astros second baseman Jose Altuve doubled in the first inning against the Royals in Kansas City. Trying to become the first BTS player in the contest's 15-year history to reach a streak of 50, which would break his tie with Mike Karatzia from 2007, Sims selected Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu against the D-backs on Sunday at Coors Field.
LeMahieu faces Arizona left-hander Patrick Corbin. In 25 career at-bats against Corbin entering Sunday's game, LeMahieu has 10 hits in 25 at-bats (.400 batting average), including two triples and two homers. LeMahieu has also been hot lately, coming into the contest batting .403 over his previous 18 games.
Sims, a 63-year-old Arizonian, told MLB.com that he's "not your typical baseball nerd" and "can't recite stats like some guys can."
"This is crazy!" he added. "Don't know how many thousands [of people have played] BTS this year, but to be on top is amazing."
Sims told MLB.com that this is the first time he has enjoyed a streak longer than 20 in four or five years of playing BTS. It's now easier than ever for players to chase down DiMaggio. For example, users have the option of employing the "Double Down" feature. Double Down allows fans to advance their streak by two games, but only if both of their picks get a hit. If one goes hitless, the streak ends.
Additionally, BTS research filters such as batting-order position, right- or left-handed pitchers and cold opposing pitchers are at fans' disposal to help them make decisions. They can also take days off between selections if they don't find ideal matchups.
Whenever a season goes by without a winner, a $10,000 consolation is awarded to those atop the calendar year's leaderboard. Additionally, the BTS game-makers hand out millions of other prizes for streaks as small as five.
It would be especially fitting if Sims or another BTS user could break the BTS drought this year. After all, it's the 75th anniversary of DiMaggio's remarkable streak, which is being commemorated with daily recaps on MLB.com and @TheStreak on Twitter.