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: 37 (philly)
Longest season streak: 45 (kiyoshilotus26)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (17%)*
2. Paul Goldschmidt, Cardinals (9.8%)*
3. Tim Anderson, White Sox (9.2%)*
4. Luis Arraez, Twins (8.2%)
5. Manny Machado, Padres (7.8%)
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (8%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.6%)
3. J.D. Martinez, Red Sox (6%)
4. Manny Machado, Padres (4.3%)
5. Michael Brantley, Astros (3.8%)
Mike Trout, Angels (vs. Mariners)
Trout against the Mariners? Lock it in. Trout smashed five homers in a five-game set against Seattle just last week — and his 52 career homers against the Mariners are tied for the most by any player against that franchise all time. Trout has a .325/.428/.668 slash line (1.097 OPS) over 172 career games against the Mariners. He’s also hitting .326 with a 1.306 OPS in his last 13 games overall following an 0-for-26 skid.
C.J. Cron, Rockies (vs. Twins)
Cron doesn’t get the luxury of playing at Coors Field in this one, but it’s still a solid matchup. He’s hitting .350 over his past 10 games (including .350 in four road games during that span) and he has a trio of three-hit games in his last six. As for Dylan Bundy, even with his best outing of the year in his last start (one run over eight innings), he still enters with a 6.61 ERA in seven starts since the beginning of May — and opponents are hitting .317 against him during that stretch.
Astros / Yankees (HOU at NYY — Justin Verlander vs. Luis Severino)
Verlander is coming off his worst outing of the season after allowing seven runs (four earned) over 3 2/3 innings against the White Sox his last time out, but he still has a 2.30 ERA and he’s holding opponents to a .195 average on the season. Similarly, Severino gave up a season-high five runs his last time out, but he still enters the day holding opponents to a .210 average.
Mets (vs. Marlins — Sandy Alcantara)
Alcantara will be making his second straight start against the Mets after allowing two runs on six hits over eight innings on Sunday at Citi Field. The Marlins righty is certainly in the NL Cy Young conversation to this point, putting up a 1.72 ERA while holding opposing hitters to a .193 average.
Brewers (vs. Blue Jays — Alek Manoah)
Manoah has allowed two earned runs or fewer in 11 of his 13 starts this season, racking up a 2.00 ERA and holding opponents to a .207 average.
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
C.J. Cron (Rockies): 6-for-17 (.353), 3 HR vs. Dylan Bundy
Elvis Andrus (Athletics): 11-for-30 (.367), 3 XBH vs. Zack Greinke
Harrison Bader (Cardinals): 8-for-21 (.381), 3 XBH, 3 K vs. Kyle Hendricks
Joey Gallo (Yankees): 3-for-31 (.097), 14 K vs. Justin Verlander
Shohei Ohtani (Angels): 1-for-12 (.083), 3 K vs. Chris Flexen
Manny Machado (Padres): 1-for-13 (.077), 3 K vs. Aaron Nola