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: 39 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest season streak: 40 (WestD3)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (15.6%) *
2. José Ramírez, Guardians (11.7%) *
3. Rafael Devers, Red Sox (9.4%) *
4. Trea Turner, Dodgers (6.7%) *
5. Mike Trout, Angels (6.4%)
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (7.9%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.9%)
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (5.8%)
4. Michael Brantley, Astros (3.9%)
5. José Iglesias, Rockies (3.7%)
Rhys Hoskins, Phillies (vs. Nationals)
Hoskins is one of the streakier hitters in the big leagues. When things are going bad, they tend to go really bad. But things are going well, he’s still one of the most dangerous hitters in the Majors — and things are going very well at the moment. He’s 13-for-24 (.542) with eight extra-base hits over his past six games, and he has two multihomer efforts during that span. He also has a triple and three doubles, giving him a ridiculous 1.843 OPS. Hoskins is as locked in as it gets, plus he gets a matchup here with Nationals starter Patrick Corbin, who enters with a 6.65 ERA and a .313 opponents’ batting average — both the worst among all qualified pitchers.
Nick Castellanos, Phillies (vs. Nationals)
Unlike Hoskins, Castellanos has not been swinging a hot bat. He’s homerless over his past 14 games, during which he’s hitting just .216 with more strikeouts (12) than hits (11). Still, this is a perfect get-right spot against the left-handed Corbin, given his ongoing struggles this season.
José Ramírez, Guardians (at Rockies)
If it’s not broken, don’t fix it — right? We’ve rolled with Ramírez in this spot two days in a row, and the Guardians superstar has rewarded us with back-to-back multihit games. There’s no reason to believe that won’t continue as Cleveland wraps up its series at the hitters’ paradise that is Coors Field. Ramírez is 6-for-9 with a pair of doubles through the first two games of this series, increasing his season average to .307 to go along with a 1.053 OPS.
Nationals (vs. Phillies — Zack Wheeler)
Wheeler has rediscovered his elite form following a bit of a slow start to the season after his delayed start in Spring Training. Over his past eight starts, the Phillies’ ace has a 1.42 ERA while holding opponents to a .203 average.
Cubs (vs. Padres — Joe Musgrove)
Musgrove has been arguably the most dominant pitcher in the Majors this season, posting a 1.50 ERA through 11 starts, all while striking out 72 batters in 72 innings. Opponents are hitting just .196 against Musgrove — and he’s getting even better of late. Over his past four starts, Musgrove has allowed just one run over 27 innings (0.33 ERA), during which opponents are hitting just .160 against him.
Rays (vs. Yankees — Luis Severino)
Severino has been solid over the past month, posting a 1.67 ERA and a .168 opponents’ batting average over his past five starts. That’s continued an impressive 2022 season in which Severino has a 2.80 ERA and has held opponents to a .213 batting average overall.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Alec Bohm (Phillies): 5-for-12 (.417), 2 HR vs. Patrick Corbin
Juan Soto (Nationals): 11-for-35 (.314), 2 HR vs. Zack Wheeler
Kevin Kiermaier (Rays): 3-for-28 (.107), 13 K vs. Luis Severino
Austin Meadows (Tigers): 1-for-12 (.083), 2 K vs. Martín Pérez