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: 30 (rod666)

Longest season streak: 30 (rod666)

Longest streak all-time: 51

Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Juan Soto, Nationals (8.5%) *
2. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (6.2%) *
3. Josh Bell, Nationals (5.9%) *
4. José Iglesias, Rockies (5.9%)
5. C.J. Cron, Rockies (5.4%) *
* - Recorded a hit

Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.3%)
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (4.2%)
4. José Iglesias, Rockies (4%)
5. Michael Brantley, Astros (3.8%)

HITTERS TO TARGET TODAY

Taylor Ward, Angels (vs. Nationals)
Ward is literally one plate appearance shy of qualifying for official leaderboards at this point, otherwise he would be the big league leader in both on-base percentage (.481) and slugging percentage (.750). Tonight, he squares off with Nationals pitching prospect Joan Adon, who has struggled out of the gate this season. Adon ranks in the fourth percentile in barrel percentage, while also placing in the bottom-10% when it comes to whiff percentage, chase rate and xSLG. In other words, hitters are waiting for their pitch against Adon and they're producing plenty of hard contact once they get is, as evidenced by the 26 hits and 13 walks Adon has allowed in 23 1/3 innings.

Xander Bogaerts, Red Sox (vs. White Sox)
So far this season, Bogaerts has been as likely to produce a three-hit game as he is to go hitless. He has seven of each -- and the seven three-hit games are the most by any player in the Majors. That bodes well for Bogaerts tonight, especially in a matchup against White Sox starter Vince Velasquez, who ranks near the bottom of the league in average exit velocity, hard-hit percentage and barrel percentage.

Andrew Benintendi, Royals (vs. Orioles)
Though he went 0-for-3 his last time out on Wednesday, Benintendi hasn't had back-to-back hitless games all season. He's hit safely in 14 of his last 16 games and has a .354 average on the season. As for tonight's matchup, he'll be squaring off with Orioles starter Jordan Lyles, against whom left-handed hitters are 14-for-42 (.333) with four home runs this season.

OFFENSE(S) TO AVOID

Guardians (vs. Kevin Gausman)/Blue Jays (vs. Shane Bieber)
Though there are some enticing hitting options in this matchup -- José Ramírez and Vladimir Guerrero Jr. come to mind -- this is probably a matchup to avoid altogether. Gausman has been dominant in his debut season with the Blue Jays, posting a 2.27 ERA and racking up 41 strikeouts without a walk through five starts. He has allowed 31 hits in 31 2/3 innings, but there are better options out there. Bieber, meanwhile, has a 2.45 ERA and has allowed only 22 hits in 29 1/3 innings this season.

Rays (vs. Mariners -- Logan Gilbert)
Gilbert has been nearly untouchable through five starts, posting a 0.64 ERA and holding opposing batters to a .180 (18-for-100) average. He's allowed only three extra-base hits in 28 innings this season.

NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS

Favorable

Marcell Ozuna (Braves): 6-for-9 (.667), 3 HR vs. Eric Lauer

Whit Merrifield (Royals): 4-for-7 (.571) vs. Jordan Lyles