Beat the Streak Report: Monday, June 28
All good things must come to an end. This apparently includes 43-game hitting streaks that carry the weight of $3,000,000.
That’s right, our dear friend and season leader, Dick George, saw his
43-game streak snap yesterday afternoon thanks to an 0-for-4
performance from Ichiro Suzuki.
I guess the old adage is true — you just never know when Chris
Narveson (career 4.68 ERA) is going to hurl an eight-inning shutout.
Anyway, much kudos to Mr. George for his incredible run. His
streak has inspired millions across the nation and has reminded us all
that this game is in fact, perhaps, maybe if everything goes right and
blind luck is totes on your side, actually beatable.
Time for Monday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
? Jose Reyes: .378 AVG (14-for-37) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco
? Matt Kemp: .457 AVG (16-for-35) lifetime vs. Giants starter Barry Zito
? David Wright: .386 AVG (17-for-44) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco
? Ryan Ludwick: .556 AVG (5-for-9) lifetime vs. Diamondbacks starter Dan Haren
? Carlos Lee: .533 AVG (8-for-15) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Manny Parra
? Kelly Johnson: .500 AVG (6-for-12) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter
? Adam Dunn: .421 AVG (8-for-19) lifetime vs. Braves starter Tim Hudson
Feeling kinda spicy?
? Juan Uribe: .500 AVG (5-for-10) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley.
Uribe is batting .184 (7-for-38) over his last 10 games and,
sure, I guess you never know how a pitcher does in his first game back
from the DL. But look, there are seven guys listed above who are
actually quality everyday players and have tasty matchups with great
previous success against their opposing hurlers. If you are still
reading this paragraph after reading the “Uribe is batting .184” part,
you clearly have no interest in trying to get a hit or win $3 million.
But, yes, your charming audacity is noted and appreciated.
Let’s just move on.
You’ll thank me later …
? James Loney: .050 AVG (1-for-20) lifetime vs. Giants starter Barry Zito
? Josh Willingham: .056 AVG (1-for-18) lifetime vs. Braves starter Tim Hudson
? Stephen Drew: .077 AVG (1-for-13) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter
? David DeJesus: .171 AVG (12-for-70) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle
? Adrian Gonzalez: .167 AVG (4-for-24) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez
Leaderboard time!
Rising from the crowd like a baby Simba clasped in Rafiki’s hands gazing over the mountain top, is our new leader — “kbarr9”.
“kbarr9” took the lead by doing absolutely nothing and watching his/her
selection, Justin Morneau, sit idly by on the bench in an at-bat-free
game in the Twins’ loss to the Mets.
With a 39-game streak, “kbarr9” is 68.4 percent on the way to
the big bucks and could single-handedly re-trigger the slaps bracelet
fad across the nation.
I would not be opposed to this.
Top MLB streakers
? Jose Guillen: 21 games
? Josh Hamilton: 21 games
? Corey Hart: 12 games
? Jose Lopez: 11 games
? Chipper Jones: 10 games
? Paul Konerko: 10 games
? Ruben Tejada: 10 games
Beat the Streak Report 
Well, Dick George has set the bar high for this year. Here are his comparisons to other BTS leader history. No other leaders reached a 40 gamer or higher before the All-Star break. If kbarr9 moves on tonight, then he too will be at 40.
BTS User, Streak Breaker, Date Ended, Streak
kbarr9, ???, ???, ???
Dick George, Ichiro Suzuki, 6/27/2010, 43
Tanner Nielsen, Joe Mauer, 6/23/2009, 45
Bob Paradise, Ichiro Suzuki, 7/4/2008, 48
Reid Choroszy, Matt Holliday, 6/24/2007, 40
I knew it had to end and a couple of the leaders did have 40 game streaks before the break. Lav got that one confused. On to today. I have Reyes in BTS as he is ripping at night and San Juan is a hitters park or so they said on ESPN last night. Konerko in HR BTS and Cards in Survivor. Kbarr won’t be that lucky again to miss two pinch hitting appearances in 4 days of each other.
Much kudos to Mr. Feldman for his kudos to Mr. George. And here’s to forever 0-fer’s to those spewing such nasty, unsportsmanlike comments towards this guy. Ugh.
Onto Monday, and how I hate Mondays…….am leaning towards Ryan Theriot and the Nats. Strasburg on the mound today.
Good luck to everyone!!! Thanks for the list lavolpe. 🙂
RE: Unsportsmanlike comments… Agree too. I don’t mind wishing for 0-fers as that is part of this game. But criticizing one’s selection using degrading terms is uncalled for IMO (don’t consider “lucky” to be degrading). The bottom line, the leader is picking what they believe is the best for them; not to appease the masses. If I ever get to 40+, I sure won’t be reading the blog comments until a week or so after my streak ends.
Some of the stuff was getting a bit personal. But I agree with your 40+ idea!! 🙂
Believe me if I ever get that high I hope I don’t hear all that negativity. If I do some of the blog crew is going to be enjoying a Yankee game on me. I know who they are and I won’t even do an interview with Dave until about 45 games. I have my strategy that I am going to be using from now to see what happens.
vinny I totally believe you – you have already shown how nice you are!! 🙂
Thank u nardberg. I am nice to everybody believe me.
This isn’t a Silver Bullet Lock of a Lifetime, but I have with significant confidence selected Pittsburgh rookie leadoff hitter Jose Tabata for this evening. He is on a productive streak and will face the Cubs’ Randy Wells, who has stunk most of the season and particularly this month. Check their numbers; Tabata looks like a hidden jewel.
? Professor Pete
@Professor Pete. I was thinking about that game also but would be more inclined to pick Crosby over Tabata, especially if Crosby is batting 2nd (Neil Walker’s spot). Last 6 games…
Tabata: 26 ABs, 8 hits, 4 Strikeouts, 2 BB = 308 avg
Crosby: 23 ABs, 8 hits, 3 Strikeouts, 0 BB = 343 avg
Both got hits last game & are very similar in stats. I tend to like the #2 spot over lead-off for 1st ABs. Note: difference of ABs are due to Crosby’s previous batting spot: 7th/8th
^^ Oops: Crosby’s 6 day AVG is 348 not 343. Bad math 😦
^^ Better indication; though not a lot of thought on my part. When I was doing my research I didn’t get that far once I got to my actual pick for today (CIN). Next time, I’ll have to complete the research before I pipe up. Cheers.
You make a good argument, lavolpe, but it seems offset by Crosby’s last three games; he went 0-4 on Friday, 0-3 Saturday, and 1-4 yesterday, for an average of .091. Tabata has gone 1-4, 1-3, and 2-4, an average of .364. But, what the heck, Wells is pitching. I would pick my cat Pam if she played for Pittsburgh.
Going with Wright, Mauer and Cabrera today. Follow the leader everybody……. and stop picking ******** players like Tabata and Crosby. Common Lavolpe what the hell……….
@blanco21: “Common Lavolpe what the hell……….”
I have no idea what you just said. And regarding picking players, don’t assume you know what works for others; you will eventually fall too — laws of probability talking.
See why I picked Reyes. Was .448 at night before his hit and I am good for tonight. 57 here I come.
Have you looked at McCutchen’s recent numbers? He has two hits in his last seven games; he’s 2-for-22 since June 19.
Dark Horse Pick – Ricky Weeks of Brew Crew v. Astros poor staff. Weeks had two solid hits on Sunday – my fingers are crossed.
HR – Konerko who is hot
White Sox who are white hot with Burhele over KC. Burhele does better at home but what the heck – ChiSox are caliente.
Vinny – Would like to be at that Yankee game with you.
Let’s stay positive comments “mantra” is something we all should be doing.
Went with Reyes. Somewhat iffy pick because I am wary of his high #s against Nolasco. Plus in PR. Some wild things are bound to happen there. Even the weather said t-storm.
My other choices would have been Garett Jones, Chris Coghlan, & Brandon Phillips (batting lead-off).
Kbarr’s pick oc McC is 50/50. Too many guys in Pitts who can hit Cubs pitcher so someone is bound to be left sitting on a huge elephant dung drop. Plus, Wells is actually due for a good outing. You can only go so much with busted outings.
“Going with Wright, Mauer and Cabrera today” Which one though?
Today’s Top Picks of the Top2500
All games included, 104 different batters picked overall
Batter, Times Picked, Percentage
Jose Reyes, 735, 29.4%
Matt Holliday, 458, 18.32 (Leader #2)
Joe Mauer, 136, 5.44
Ryan Theriot, 117, 4.68
Ryan Braun, 113, 4.52
David Wright, 89, 3.56
Justin Morneau, 79, 3.16
Albert Pujols, 60, 2.4
Miguel Cabrera, 55, 2.2
Brandon Phillips, 51, 2.04
Andrew McCutchen, 38, 1.52 (Leader #1)
Billy Butler, 35, 1.4
No Selection, 32, 1.28
Highest “No Selection”: Page#13 with a streak of 14 now reset to zero
Yesterday was a typical day with 25.7% being reset.
UserName, Streak, Page#, Pick
blanco21, 20, pg#2, David Wright
popi21, 10, pg#77, Joe Mauer
conjobs, streak of 14 reset yesterday
“Dark Horse Pick – Ricky Weeks” I’ve tried this approach before w/ very little positives to show for. Its 50/50 based on huge day before approach. Half the time they go bust the next day after a huge day like that. Plus, Weeks cannot hit righties.
“players like Tabata and Crosby.” Yeah, I agree. I tried this approach before too and its a bust. You can’t regularly rely on these avg. players. They may work as a secret pick here & there but there is a reason why they batting avg. is what it is.
Oops, forgot the category for the 2nd part of the Top2500:
Bloggers Group Top2500
UserName, Streak, Page#, Pick
…..
There you go baby. Jose don’t need to wear sunglasses @ night. I am getting first AB hits like crazy now! Just hoping for McC to crumble!@
That was fast. Nearly 30% Top2500 move on tomorrow.
Nice to see the leader “go outside the box” so to speak. Myself I went with Marlon. He hits very well vs the bucs. Then again who doesn’t.? GL to all
Melkman just ripped a double of Strasburg. LOL! I will give $100 to anyone who picked Melkman today. I am dead serious!
I am not sure how much outside the box McC is. He is 5for8 against Wells. I think Garrett Jones might be considered more outside of box.
Darn it. I thought kbarr was gonna fall tonight. Cubs simply suck! They find new ways to suck every night. There is not a single player on that team who deserves any accolade except one… We all know who that is.
Misjudged liner to right field and we have a new 40-game leader. Go Cubs!
Pirates need to work on their “I Got It!” calling skills. Crosby out of the game with possible concussion, Walker couple days ago, who next?
The fact is Pirates is a contending AA team. The Cubs is a contending AAA team. What sucks for Cubs is though that their salaray is up the roofs on a bunch of losers. You look at their numbers and you’re like “wow, does it get any worse than this?”. How does Lee, Ramirez, Fuko, Soriano, & Zam justify the $ they’re raking in? Every one of them is a bust. Look @ Pinella. He is hair is all grey now. Only smart move they made this year was the Bradley trade but its not like they’re not paying for his salary.
Go Cubs, Go!
Cubs, ugh! Deep consideration for a “do not revive” order and leaning over and pulling the plug. Maybe next year or when the big contracts terminate, whichever comes first.
Matt Holliday takes out the 2nd place leader
Holliday also takes the next two leaders a 29 down. Joe Mauer knocked out 2 at 26.
Well, all the exciting picks have already played. So off to get some shut-eye. Good night all; ’til tomorrow.
Mental note: Got a feeling leader will get to 41 rather easily tomorrow; we’ll see.
“Melkman just ripped a double of Strasburg. LOL! I will give $100 to anyone who picked Melkman today. I am dead serious!”
I considered Melky. Can I have half of your $100?
“Darn it. I thought kbarr was gonna fall tonight. Cubs simply suck! They find new ways to suck every night. There is not a single player on that team who deserves any accolade except one… We all know who that is.”
Carlos Silva?
“Matt Holliday takes out the 2nd place leader”
I have no idea how this guy’s average is near .300.
I considered this guy and then thought, “nah, he always goes 0 for, for me.”
and ANOTHER 0 for!
As for being logical in this game with picks.
As Alfred E. Newman said: “I’d rather be lucky than smart.”