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: 35 (LADFan1025)
Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (20%)
2. Rafael Devers, Red Sox (16.2%)*
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (15.5%)*
4. Mike Trout, Angels (6.4%)*
5. Starling Marte, Mets (3.4%)*
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (7.7%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.6%)
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (5.9%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.4%)
5. Michael Brantley, Astros (3.8%)
Mike Trout, Angels (vs. Royals)
Trout is back in his groove, with five home runs in his last five games through the end of last week and eight home runs in his last 11. Plus, he’s batting .364 with a 1.253 OPS at the Big A this season.
Rafael Devers, Red Sox (vs. Tigers)
Beau Brieske has been solid lately, but the lefty Devers is batting .335 with a 1.023 OPS against right-handers this season and .328 with a .996 OPS at Fenway, and Brieske only has 37 strikeouts in 54 2/3 innings.
Oneil Cruz, Pirates (vs. Cubs)
Just a hunch. We know Cruz rips the ball, and he wasted no time reminding us with a 113 mph double in his season debut Monday. Now the big lefty gets Cubs soft-tossing right-hander Matt Swarmer, who’s allowed 10 homers in four starts.
Reds (vs. Dodgers — Tony Gonsolin)
Gonsolin is only allowing 4.5 hits per nine innings this season and has allowed three or fewer in 10 of his 12 starts. He’s thrown at least six innings in six straight starts with a 1.49 ERA.
Giants (at Braves — Spencer Strider)
After setting strikeout records in the Braves bullpen, Strider has now gotten on a role in the rotation, with a 1.76 ERA, 24 strikeouts and just seven hits allowed in 15 1/3 innings over three June starts. The combo of his 100 mph fastball and wipeout slider is tough to hit.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Didi Gregorius (Phillies): 5-for-14 (.357), 3 HR vs. Martín Pérez
Miguel Cabrera (Tigers): 5-for-16 (.313), HR, 2 2B vs. Rich Hill
Freddie Freeman (Dodgers): 4-for-11 (.364), HR vs. Tyler Mahle
Bryce Harper (Phillies): 1-for-13 (.077), 2B, 4 K vs. Martín Pérez
Javier Báez (Tigers): 2-for-11 (.182), 2B, 4 K vs. Rich Hill