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.
Let’s take a closer at the action from yesterday and today:
Longest active streak: 24 (FinallyCubs16)
Longest season streak: 28 (cfurst, StandPat)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. José Ramírez, Guardians (8.6%)*
2. Tim Anderson, White Sox (7.1%)
3. DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (5.8%)*
4. Garrett Cooper, Marlins (5.7%)*
5. Manny Machado, Padres (5%)*
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.9%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.8%)
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (4.4%)
4. Nick Castellanos, Phillies (3.77%)
5. Michael Brantley, Astros (3.7%)
DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (vs. Royals)
After starting the season just 1-for-10 through his first four games, LeMahieu has at least one hit in 13 of his last 14 games. Now, he gets a matchup against Royals starter Kris Bubic, who ranks in the bottom-10 percentile in whiff percentage, chase rate, xBA, xwOBA and xERA — plus, he’s a left-hander. LeMahieu has a .319 career average against southpaws, including going 8-for-18 (.444) so far this season.
Pete Alonso, Mets (vs. Phillies)
Alonso will be facing a starting pitcher in Aaron Nola who looked absolutely brilliant in his last outing. The Phillies righty held the Brewers to just one hit over seven innings while striking out nine batters on Sunday night — but that’s not going to stop us here. Nola allowed three runs on three hits — including a double to Alonso — in an April 13 loss against the Mets. Even with his latest gem, Nola’s metrics indicate he’s still allowing quite a bit of hard contact, and Alonso is 11-for-31 (.355) with six extra-base hits (including three homers) lifetime against Nola.
Tyler Naquin, Reds (vs. Rockies)
For those looking to get a little bit off the beaten path, it’s never a bad idea to take a look at Coors Field. Unfortunately, it’s not an ideal scenario tonight. On one side, the Rockies have had one of the best offenses in baseball, but they’ll be facing fireball-throwing phenom Hunter Greene. On the other side, the Reds get a decent matchup against Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela, but Cincinnati is hitting just .197 as a team (29th in MLB). Ultimately, we settled on Naquin because Senzatela has allowed 26 hits in just 13 1/3 innings — that’s the second-highest rate among any pitcher with at least 10 innings. Meanwhile, despite Naquin’s overall struggles this season, he’s a career .281 hitter against righties (compared to just .217 vs. left-handers).
Royals (vs. Yankees — Nestor Cortes)
As a pitcher, you don’t get a nickname like “Nasty Nestor” unless you’re doing something right on the mound. Cortes has allowed only seven hits over 15 2/3 innings through three starts, all while racking up 25 strikeouts during that span. Opponents are hitting just .132 (7-for-53) against Cortes — plus, it doesn’t help that the Royals are hitting just .206 as a team (26th in MLB).
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Pete Alonso (Mets): 11-for-31, 3 HRs vs. Aaron Nola
Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals): 24-for-71, 3 HRs, 7 XBH vs. Madison Bumgarner
Michael Brantley (Astros): 2-for-18, 1 HR, 2 K vs. Yusei Kikuchi
Kyle Tucker (Astros): 0-for-10, 3 K, 1 BB vs. Yusei Kikuchi