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: 32 (ctdaniel)
Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (27.6%)
2. Starling Marte, Mets (16.3%)*
3. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (10.4%)*
4. Corey Seager, Rangers (7.2%)*
5. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (3.4%)*
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.9%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.5%)
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (4.7%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.5%)
5. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (3.7%)
Manny Machado and Juan Soto, Padres (vs. Nationals)
This is a perfect opportunity to double down with the Padres’ superstar duo. Machado has recorded multiple hits in eight consecutive games and Soto has reached base in each of his 14 games with the Padres (and 22 straight games overall) — plus, the matchup doesn’t get much better than this one. They will be facing Nationals starter Aníbal Sánchez, who has a 7.20 ERA in six starts since making his season debut on July 14. Opponents are hitting .286 with a .934 OPS against Sánchez, and the righty has allowed at least one home run in each of his six starts. If all that wasn’t enough, Machado is 8-for-17 (.471) with four home runs in his career against Sánchez.
Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (vs. Rockies)
We’re going back to the well on Goldschmidt after also rolling with him Wednesday (two hits). Not only has the MVP candidate had Colorado’s number this year, but he’s also had plenty of success against Rockies starter Antonio Senzatela. Goldschmidt is 7-for-20 (.350) with four extra-base hits, including two homers, against Senzatela, who is allowing opponents to hit a whopping .343 this season. And before blaming that on Coors Field, Senzatela has allowed a .338 opponents’ average on the road — just slightly lower than the .347 mark at home.
Braves (vs. Mets — Jacob deGrom)
deGrom has a 1.62 ERA in three starts since making his Aug. 2 season debut, and he’s allowed just six hits over 16 2/3 innings. Opponents are hitting .109 (6-for-55) against deGrom, who has 28 strikeouts.
Giants (vs. D-backs — Zac Gallen)
Gallen is holding opponents to a ridiculous .197 average this season, all while posting a 2.94 ERA and allowing just 89 hits over 125 1/3 innings. It’s also worth noting that he’s shut down quite a few of San Francisco’s hitters throughout his career, including Brandon Belt (3-for-17, 5 K), Brandon Crawford (2-for-16), Wilmer Flores (1-for-10, 3 K), Joc Pederson (1-for-15, 6 K) and LaMonte Wade Jr. (1-for-12, 6 K).
Dodgers (vs. Brewers — Corbin Burnes)
The Dodgers lead the Majors in nearly every major offensive category — including runs, slugging percentage and OPS — but Burnes has held opposing hitters to a .182 average (second best in MLB) while posting a 2.39 ERA this season. Los Angeles’ lineup obviously has plenty of solid options on any given night, but the matchup here isn’t ideal.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Paul Goldschmidt (Cardinals): 7-for-20 (.350), 2 HR vs. Antonio Senzatela
Tyler O’Neill (Cardinals): 5-for-7 (.714), 3 XBH (1 HR) vs. Senzatela
Andrew Benintendi (Yankees): 9-for-21 (.429), 4 XBH vs. José Berríos
Aaron Judge (Yankees): 6-for-15 (.400), 1 HR vs. Berríos
Manny Machado (Padres): 8-for-17 (.471), 4 HR vs. Aníbal Sánchez
Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): 8-for-21 (.381), 5 XBH vs. Adam Wainwright
Dansby Swanson (Braves): 5-for-28 (.179), 14 K vs. Jacob deGrom
Joc Pederson (Giants): 1-for-15 (.067), 6 K vs. Zac Gallen