Today’s recommended picks

Jacoby Ellsbury, OF, Red Sox
7-for-16 (.438 AVG) vs. Rays starter Matt Garza; multiple hits in 7 of 12 G

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
25-for-71 (.352 AVG) during 16-G hit streak

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
.489 AVG at home in ’09; 2-for-4 (.500 AVG) lifetime vs. A’s starter Dallas Braden

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

Three entered the day tied for first place at 22 games, but only baltimore20 was able to make it 23, thanks to the selection of the O’s Brian Roberts (1-for-3). paquitos held steady at 22 with Ian Kinsler and the Rangers having their game postponed, but skyswat saw his lengthy streak come to an end with the completion of Ryan Braun’s 0-for-4 performance. Altogether, 17 fans finished the day with hitting streaks of at least 20 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.6%, 1-for-4
2. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 5.5%, 0-for-0
3. Ryan Braun (MIL): 4.7%, 0-for-4
4. Ryan Howard (PHI): 4.0%, 2-for-4
5. Albert Pujols (STL): 3.2%, 2-for-4

Today’s recommended picks

Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
.552 AVG in past 8 G; 3-for-8 (.375 AVG) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Ian Snell

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
17-G hit streak; 11-for-30 (.367 AVG) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Brett Myers

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
4-for-8 (.500 AVG) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Gavin Floyd; .331 AVG lifetime at U.S Cellular Field in Chicago

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

It was a short-lived stay at the top of the mountain for www.martymuzic, who saw his 22-game hit streak come to an end with Albert Pujols’ 0-for-3 performance. It was generally a tough day for many fans, as the three most popular selections — Pujols, Ian Kinsler and Jose Reyes — all went hitless. Still, there was success to be found within the BTS ranks, and with the careful selections of Bobby Abreu and Alex Rios, three participants took over a share of first place at 22 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 15.7%, 0-for-3
2. Ian Kinsler (TEX): 4.6%, 0-for-4
3. Jose Reyes (NYM): 4.5%, 0-for-5
4. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 3.4%, 1-for-4
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 3.1%, 2-for-10

Today’s recommended picks

Mike Cameron, OF, Brewers
11-for-18 (.611 AVG) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm; 6-for-14 (.429 AVG) in past 4 G

Bill Hall, 3B, Brewers
14-for-25 (.560 AVG) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm

Orlando Hudson, 2B, Dodgers
Hit safely in 12 of 13 G; 5-for-13 (.385 AVG) lifetime vs. Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

With the regular season a little over three weeks old, there is finally one participant standing alone at the top of the Beat the Streak standings. www.martymuzic took over sole possession of first place at 22 games with his selection of Washington’s Nick Johnson, who extended his own hit streak to 11 games with a home run vs. the Phillies yesterday. Let’s see if our current BTS champion can continue to make sweet music with his picks, as the nine second-place contestants tied at 21 games are just waiting for their chance to slide into first.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 8.2%, 0-for-3
2. Brian Roberts (BAL): 6.6%, 1-for-4
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.1%, 1-for-4
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 3.9%, 1-for-5
5. Evan Longoria (TB): 3.8%, 2-for-3

Today’s recommended picks

Victor Martinez, C, Indians
.397 AVG in ’09; 5-for-11 (.455 AVG) lifetime vs. Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield

Nick Johnson, 1B, Nationals
.373 AVG in ’09; 4-for-6 (.667 AVG) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Joe Blanton

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
4-for-8 (.500 AVG) lifetime vs. Indians starter Cliff Lee; Lee: .327 AVG against in ’09

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

And then there were three. That’s the number of fans who remained tied for first place, at 21 games, following Sunday’s action. The three front-runners barely stayed alive, as their selected players — Hanley Ramirez and Kevin Youkilis — each finished the day with one hit. Of course, that’s all it takes to stay alive, and many a lengthy streak throughout the nine-year history of BTS has been sustained by a lone hit.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 8.2%, 1-for-3
2. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 5.9%, 0-for-4
3. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 4.3%, 1-for-3
4. Evan Longoria (TB): 4.0%, 0-for-3
5. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 3.4%, 1-for-4

Today’s recommended picks

Orlando Hudson, 2B, Dodgers
14-for-35 (.400 AVG) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Aaron Cook

Ryan Ludwick, OF, Cardinals
7-for-13 (.538 AVG) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Ryan Dempster

Jose Reyes, SS, Mets
14-for-35 (.400 AVG) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Scott Olsen

Saturday’s recommended picks

Bobby Abreu, OF, Angels
10-for-17 (.588 AVG) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Carlos Silva; Silva: .331 AVG against in ’08

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
7-for-17 (.412 AVG) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez

Vernon Wells, OF, Blue Jays
17-for-32 (.531 AVG) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle

Sunday’s recommended picks

Kevin Youkilis, 1B, Red Sox
9-for-20 (.450 AVG) lifetime vs. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte

Ian Kinsler, 2B, Rangers
.429 AVG lifetime at Baltimore

Jason Bay, OF, Red Sox
10-for-22 (.455 AVG) lifetime vs. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

Not all of front-runners were able to sustain their good fortune from the previous day, as nine participants fell from the top of the pack. That left a mere 10 people tied for first place in the BTS standings at 18 games. With the weather heating up, it’s a good time for hitters to get comfortable, which means we should see several long streaks continue with this weekend’s slate of action!

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chase Utley (PHI): 7.1%, 0-for-4
2. Jermaine Dye (CWS): 5.8%, 1-for-4
3. Carlos Beltran (NYM): 5.2%, 3-for-5
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.9%, 3-for-4
5. Carlos Quentin (CWS): 4.0%, 0-for-3

Today’s recommended picks

Carlos Beltran, OF, Mets
7-for-16 (.438 AVG) since ’04 vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse; hit safely in 13 of 14 G in ’09

Chone Figgins, 3B, Angels
5-for-6 (.833 AVG) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Edwin Jackson; Jackson: lifetime .374 AVG against at Angel Stadium

Nick Markakis, OF, Orioles
.417 AVG during 9-G hit streak; 3-for-8 (.375 AVG) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Bartolo Colon

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

Amazingly, all 19 particpants tied for first place in the standings were able to extend their streaks to 17 games. If that kind of good fortune holds up, then this will turn out to be a record-breaking season of BTS play!

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 7.6%, 2-for-3
2. Jose Reyes (NYM): 5.6%, 1-for-3
3. Ryan Theriot (CHC): 4.7%, 0-for-4
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 3.1%, 2-for-6
5. Chase Utley (PHI): 3.0%, 1-for-4

Today’s recommended picks

Ryan Theriot, SS, Cubs
.538 AVG (7-for-13) lifetime vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto; .409 AVG in ’09

Mark Teahen, INF/OF, Royals
.382 AVG (13-for-34) lifetime vs. Indians starter Cliff Lee; Lee: .338 AVG against in ’09

Jose Reyes, SS, Mets
6-for-9 (.667 AVG) since ’04 vs. Cardinals starter Joel Pineiro; Pineiro: .354 AVG against in ’09

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

With Monday’s rains subsiding in most areas, fans had nearly a full slate of games to choose from. However, because three of the day’s Top 5 most selected players went hitless, only 19 people were able to extend their streaks to a BTS-best 16 games. The ever-reliable Albert Pujols came through for four of those 19 survivors, as he did for a BTS-high 10.8 percent of overall participants.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 10.8%, 1-for-4
2. Hanley Ramirez (FLA): 5.0%, 1-for-4
3. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 4.9%, 0-for-0
4. Brian Roberts (BAL): 4.6%, 0-for-3
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 3.3%, 0-for-4

Today’s recommended picks

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
10-for-26 (.385 AVG) lifetime vs. Mets starter Oliver Perez

Brian Roberts, 2B, Orioles
.404 AVG in ’09; 11-for-30 (.367 AVG) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Jose Contreras

Matt Kemp, OF, Dodgers
13-game hitting streak to start season; .383 AVG in ’09

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

Thanks to a couple of rainouts that shrunk an already light slate of games, only 31 fans were able to extend their streaks to a BTS-best 15 games. Of course, those who picked hit machines Derek Jeter and Chase Utley from the postponed games simply held steady with their current streaks, so they’ll get another chance to move forward if Mother Nature cooperates with the schedule today.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 8.6%, 1-for-2
2. Miguel Tejada (HOU): 8.4%, 0-for-3
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 6.6%, 0-for-0
4. Chase Utley (PHI): 6.0%, 0-for-0
5. Robinson Cano (NYY): 5.9%, 0-for-0

Today’s recommended picks

Miguel Tejada, SS, Astros
11-for-27 (.407 AVG) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo

Carlos Lee, OF, Astros
10-for-28 (.357 AVG) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo

Kevin Kouzmanoff, 3B, Padres
5-for-12 (.417 AVG) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Jamie Moyer

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

Thanks in part to a hitless performance from Mets third baseman David Wright — yesterday’s most popular BTS selection — we’re down to 64 users tied for first place at 14 games. Congratulations to those who made flawless selections through the first two weeks of action. And for those who found themselves starting from scratch on at least one occasion — it’s a long season, so don’t give up!

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. David Wright (NYM): 7.8%, 0-for-4
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.4%, 0-for-0
3. Derek Jeter (NYY): 4.2%, 1-for-4
4. Kevin Youkilis (BOS): 3.9%, 1-for-2
5. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 3.7%, 2-for-4

Today’s recommended picks

Conor Jackson, OF, Diamondbacks
9-for-12 (.750 AVG) lifetime vs. Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez

Curtis Granderson, OF, Tigers
8-for-15 (.533 AVG) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Felix Hernandez

Michael Young, 3B, Rangers
12-for-27 (.444 AVG) since ’04 vs. Royals starter Gil Meche

Saturday’s recommended picks

Brian McCann, C, Braves
9-for-14 (.643 AVG) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Ian Snell

Orlando Hudson, 2B, Dodgers
13-for-33 (.393 AVG) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Aaron Cook

Aramis Ramirez, 3B, Cubs
7-for-11 (.636 AVG) since ’04 vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

Sunday’s recommended picks

Carlos Guillen, OF, Tigers
17-for-35 (.486 AVG) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Carlos Silva

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
8-for-16 (.500 AVG) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Zach Duke

BTS all-time leader: Michael Karatzia, 49
MLB all-time leader: Joe DiMaggio, 56

Yesterday’s results

One by one, the ranks continue to thin at the front of pack. A total of 311 users were able to extend their streaks to a BTS-best 11 games yesterday. Good luck to those looking to make it to 14 through the weekend’s action!

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Matt Kemp (LAD): 12.1%, 1-for-3
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 8.8%, 1-for-3
3. Chase Utley (PHI): 7.8%, 1-for-3
4. Albert Pujols (STL): 6.8%, 1-for-3
5. Manny Ramirez (LAD): 3.6%, 0-for-4