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.
Let’s take a closer look at the action from yesterday and today:
Longest active streak: 32 (birdwingsAC)
Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (27.2%)*
2. Yordan Alvarez, Astros (17.5%)*
3. Bryce Harper, Phillies (16.5%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.9%)
5. Nolan Arenado, Cardinals (4.4%)*
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.7%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.4%)
3. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (4.6%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.4%)
5. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (4.3%)
Mike Trout, Angels (vs. Mariners)
Trout was already red-hot — and now he gets a trip to Seattle, a place where he has absolutely crushed the ball his entire career. Trout has 33 home runs at T-Mobile Park — 14 more than any other road ballpark. He also has a .332/.428/.716 slash line, good for a ridiculous 1.144 OPS. As for his recent form, Trout is hitting .311 with a 1.078 OPS in 23 games since coming off the IL, including .371 with seven homers and a 1.450 OPS in his past nine games.
Manny Machado, Padres (at D-backs)
Machado had a bit of a slow start to the season’s second half, but he’s been fully locked back in for more than a month now. He’s hitting .318 with 10 homers over his past 38 games, and now he gets a favorable matchup against D-backs starter Madison Bumgarner. The veteran left-hander has a 7.96 ERA in seven outings since the start of August, and he’s allowing opponents to hit a blistering .346 during that span.
Athletics (at Astros — Justin Verlander)
It’s possible Verlander will be on some type of pitch count in his first start coming off the IL, but does it really matter? Verlander has a 1.84 ERA and .190 opponents’ average this season, while Houston’s bullpen has an MLB-best 2.77 ERA this season.
Phillies (at Braves — Max Fried)
Fried has been the model of consistency this season, all while racking up a 2.50 ERA and holding opponents to a .226 average. That said, Bryce Harper and J.T. Realmuto have both had some success against Fried — but there are certainly better matchups on the board.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Brian Anderson (Marlins): 5-for-10 (.500), 2 HR vs. Josiah Gray
Matt Chapman (Blue Jays): 7-for-19 (.368), 4 HR vs. Jordan Lyles
Bryce Harper (Phillies): 8-for-23 (.348), 2 HR vs. Fried
J.T. Realmuto (Phillies): 11-for-31 (.355), 3 HR vs. Fried
Freddie Freeman (Dodgers): 9-for-18 (.500), HR vs. Logan Webb
George Springer (Blue Jays): 1-for-14 (.071) vs. Lyles
Kyle Schwarber (Phillies): 2-for-13 (.154), 4 K vs. Fried