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: 29 (rod666)
Longest season streak: 29 (rod666)
Longest streak all-time: 51
Most popular picks (yesterday)
1. José Iglesias, Rockies (20.5%)*
2. Connor Joe, Rockies (9.2)*
3. C.J. Cron, Rockies (7.7)*
4. Tim Anderson, White Sox (7%)
5. DJ LeMahieu, Yankees (4.5%)*
* – Recorded a hit
Most popular picks (this season)
1. Trea Turner, Dodgers (9.2%)
2. Freddie Freeman, Dodgers (6.4%)
3. Vladimir Guerrero Jr., Blue Jays (4.2%)
4. José Iglesias, Rockies (4%)
5. Michael Brantley, Astros (3.8%)
Josh Bell, Nationals (vs. Rockies)
Today presents a perfect storm to zero in on the Nationals-Rockies contest at Coors Field and block out, well, just about everything else. Not only are options already limited with just a 10-game slate, but the pitching matchup in Colorado pits Aaron Sanchez (12 hits allowed in 9 1/3 innings) against Antonio Senzatela (33 hits in 19 2/3 innings). That equates to 15.1 hits per nine innings — the highest rate among any pitcher to face at least 85 batters this season. As for Bell, the one-time All Star is off to a hot start, batting .349/.446/.523 with 18 RBIs through 25 games. The slugging first baseman shouldn’t have any trouble putting the ball in play against Senzatela.
Juan Soto, Nationals (vs. Rockies)
Soto is also a solid option for all of the reasons mentioned above. He’s still looking to hit his stride this season, but it’s never a bad idea to count on Soto, especially in a favorable pitching matchup.
C.J. Cron, Rockies (vs. Nationals)
On the other side of things, Cron is in a great spot to continue his impressive start to the season. Cron has hit for both power and average so far this year (nine home runs and .304 average) and now gets a showdown not just against Sanchez and his 6.75 ERA, but — once he’s out of the game — a Nationals bullpen that is allowing a .249 opponents’ batting average (fourth-highest in MLB).
Note: There are certainly plenty of other enticing options outside of just the Nationals-Rockies showdown, but if there’s ever a day to lock in on one matchup, this seems to be the one.
Mariners (vs. Rays — Shane McClanahan)
Though the Mariners are the ones rolling out the reigning AL Cy Young winner in Robbie Ray, it’s actually the other side of the matchup that we’ll be avoiding today. While Ray has a 4.15 ERA and is allowing opponents to hit .234 this season, Tampa Bay starter Shane McClanahan has been lights-out this season. He leads the AL with 42 strikeouts and is averaging a ridiculous 14.0 strikeouts per nine innings (42 K’s in 27 frames).
NOTABLE BATTER VS. PITCHER MATCHUPS
Colin Moran (Reds): 8-for-12 (.667), 2 HR vs. Adrian Houser
Pete Alonso (Mets): 12-for-34 (.353), 7 XBH (4 HR) vs. Aaron Nola
Bryce Harper (Phillies): 3-for-17 (.177), 1 HR, 4 K’s vs. Taijuan Walker
Randy Arozarena (Rays): 2-for-17 (.118), 7 K’s vs. Robbie Ray