Beat the Streak Report: Thursday, July 29
Joe Mauer’s 2-for-4 afternoon teleported “richard.jucksch” — our
leader — and his streak from 37 games to 38. Jucksch is now six days
away from taking the conch from the immortal Dick George atop our
season-long Beat the Streak Leaderboard.
Perhaps more importantly, Jucksch is still ignoring me and my e-mail,
likely — and understandably — in fear of jinxing his impressive run.
This brings up an interesting internal dilemma:
Given the historical data and precedent, it’s unlikely Jucksch will
actually Beat the Streak. I mean, I don’t mean to be the Debbie Downer
here but I’ve read this story too many times and have seen how this one
turns out. Just ask Ian Kay.
So unless this somehow transforms into one of those mind-blowing “Choose
Your Own Adventure” books I was obsessed with as a 10-year-old,
Jucksch’s 15 minutes of (relative) fame is squarely on the clock.
Which brings us to the dilemma: Should Jucksch accept his likely fate
and decide to play nice in the sandbox with me and respond to my e-mail
while his story is still relatively relevant?
Or, should he go for the gold, keep up his mime impression and laugh at the face of the several jinxes before him?
Only time will tell.
Time for Thursday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
? Buster Posey: 21-game hitting streak; has never faced Marlins starter Anibal Sanchez
? Nyjer Morgan: .563 AVG (9-for-16) lifetime vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe
? Raul Ibanez: .350 AVG (7-for-20) lifetime vs. D-backs starter Joe Saunders
? Chipper Jones: .464 AVG (13-for-28) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Scott Olsen
? Cristian Guzman: .571 AVG (8-for-14) lifetime vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe
? Troy Tulowitzki: .545 AVG (6-for-11) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm
Feeling kinda spicy?
? Alberto Gonzalez: .455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe
You’ll thank me later …
? Troy Glaus: .167 AVG (2-for-12) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Scott Olsen
? Chone Figgins: .067 AVG (1-for-15) last five years vs. White Sox starter Freddy Garcia
? Nick Markakis: .222 AVG (2-for-9) lifetime vs. Royals starter Kyle Davies
Leaderboard time!
A full nine games behind Juksch is “Grumps1945”, who is sitting pretty with a 29-game streak.
If 1945 represents the year Grumps was born, that most likely makes him
65-years-old. My dad is right around that age and the thought that he’d
be able to dominate this game at this juncture is borderline
mind-blowing to me. So keep it up Grumps!
Top MLB streakers
? Buster Posey: 21 games
? Nelson Cruz: 16 games
? Scott Podsednik: 15 games
? Justin Upton: 13 games
? Michael Cuddyer: 13 games
? Matt Holliday: 13 games
Beat the Streak Report 
Hey guys, figured I’d get in on the fun and start commenting with you all.
I’m going with lefty killer Matt Diaz today vs. Scott Olsen. These are mindless decisions you can make when your streak is only at 6.
-Dave
My vote: Take your 15 mins of fame. A jinx is just an excuse/rationalization applied to bad luck or poor judgment. If one wins this, then instant fame will be awarded along with the cash and new friends (charities) await. However, if you actually believe in fate and jinxes, then hide, man, hide the jinxies are looking for you everywhere.
Grumps & 1945? Maybe Grumps is a Cubs fan?
I’m right on with you Pony. I don’t believe in jinxes but I think he’s not ready to answer yet. That is what I’m thinking. I still think he’s going to end his run this week anyway. It all depends on who he picks today as today is not an easy day at all. I chose Cruz as he is on a hitting streak and he hasn’t faced Mazzaro yet but I still think he’s getting one hit tonight. I have Luke Scott in HR BTS and Padres in Survivor. Dalywalker is up to 20 in Survivor and she is in Bloggers group.
Dave, nothing is a mindless decision at all. Your at 6 so no research is really needed. The only question is will Diaz start? I chose Cruz and that will probably be a good pick but you never know.
My picks;
Beat the Streak: Josh Hamilton
Home run beat the streak: Jayson Werth
Survivor: Rays
Highest no selections;
Home run: “inmanpaul” (page 1) with a streak of 4
Survivor: “dale.ribble” (page 2) with a streak of 11
Beat the Streak: “seanmacleod” (page 4) with a streak of 17
They are making a trip back to 0.
Locked in with Angel Pagan. Just couldn’t make up my mind between him, Troy T. and J. Torres.
I hope Prada Bag’s daytime trouble continues today.
Let the leader do whatever he wants to do. Its stressful enough for him as it is knowing he is only 19 picks away from winning a low-end lottery. I think we already know his name anyway.
I think Diaz is not a bad pick. He has very good #s during day time.
The leader has guts I will say that. Prado isn’t hitting that great on the road at all so I think it’s a bad decision. We will all see by the end of today whether I’m right or not.
Prado also has awful day #s this month. But only thing is he will most likely 5 ABs. He can have a bad day and go 1for5 with batting avg. of .200 for the day.
I just get the feeling he is gonna come through. Only can hope there are some walks involved plus Olsen pitching brilliantly.
LOL. Pagan takes a cheap bunt route to a hit.
@Btsplayer: Hah, I’ll take it! Just another day closer thanks to it.
@ponyforkeana: possiby but I don’t think the would not have canvassed the potential pick yesterday and saw the pitching change.
Prada Bag is a very tempting choice. He bats lead off and looks consitent like old Ichiro. But he is lot more streaky.
Unfortunately, Desmond’s error might open up another AB for Prado in the 9th. I am really hoping it ends with 4ABs.
Well, when leader falls, next in line is 9 days back and worry-free scoreboard watching for awhile thereafter. Crawford’s infield single moves me along today.
Bunts are cheap? Nah, a successful bunt hit is strategic, opportunistic, and skillful. Now a swinging bunt on the other hand….
@btsplayer: “The leader has guts I will say that. Prado …”
Maybe leader wasn’t watchful. I had Prado picked today also, because Stammen was the scheduled pitcher a couple days back. I changed my pick yesterday when I noticed the pitcher changed at some point.
@btsplayer: ATL game is regulation length. If game does not continue, rain-shortened & final as-is. Else in 1-2 hour(s)+ the game will continue and Prado gets last AB.
Kinsler on DL. That cost one of the #2 or #3 the streak 2 days ago by hiding the injury & trying to play throw it. This happened to me with Ichrio last year. Right after his unusal 0-fer he was put on DL and they announced that the he was playing through some injury.
All kinds of ways your streak can come to an end. It doesn’t get any prettier with more injuries and hitters getting tired.
LaV’s List
Thursday’s Top Picks of the current Top2500, 133 Batters picked overall
Batter, Times Picked, Percentage
Martin Prado, 235, 9.49(1rst)
Carl Crawford, 225, 9.09(GOOD)
Josh Hamilton, 155, 6.26
Derek Jeter, 128, 5.17
Ichiro Suzuki, 117, 4.73
Robinson Cano, 114, 4.61(3rd)
Buster Posey, 110, 4.44
No Selection, 80, 3.23
Placido Polanco, 76, 3.07(4th)
Albert Pujols, 68, 2.75
Angel Pagan, 62, 2.51(GOOD)
David Wright, 58, 2.34 PH?
Raul Ibanez, 50, 2.02
Troy Tulowitzki, 49, 1.98
Alex Rios, 42, 1.7(2nd)
Yesterday’s Top2500 Reset was back down to a nice respectable 16.2% with M. Young reseting the most.
Highest “No Selection”:Pg# 4 with a streak of 17 back to zero.
Bloggers Group Top2500
UserName, Streak, Page#, Pick
ChiSox07, 11, pg 23, A. Pagan(GOOD)
Champion88, 10, pg 30,J. Heyward (PICKED 10X IN TOP2500)
PeterKevinPerkins, 10, pg 30, B. Posey
00LIber, 8, pg 57, M. Holliday (PICKED24X IN TOP2500)
iheartstrazzy, 6, pg 96, M. Diaz(PICKED 2X IN TOP2500)(GOOD)
GL to all
M
Just great. Rain delay means Olsen won’t be coming back. This looks like another luck his way for the leader. I hope they just end the game here. How does game get decided whether to postpone the game or end early?
Delay in the sixth inning in Washington. Prado due up in the seventh still 0-3. Can’t help him any to have to sit cold on the bench, but then again, he wasn’t doing much today as it is, maybe it’ll help him think.
“Severe Thunderstorm Watch 548 in effect until 7 PM EDT this evening…”
Unless there is a possibility that the rain will clear out soon, they will have to call the game. They cannot call suspended game on this one because its reg game with home team leading.
I think they will wait until 4:30est minimum unless they have a definite report that the weather will clear out.
“Unfortunately, Desmond’s error might open up another AB for Prado in the 9th. I am really hoping it ends with 4ABs.”
ATL only needs 2 players to reach w/o double plays for Prado to get 5 ABs. 4th AB coming up shortly. At least leader has to sweat it out too, you know he’s game-watching/listening.
Hiyoooo Diaz homer takes me to 7. Follow my twitter @illquitmyjobonceigetto45towinthe3mill
Well, going with Tulowinsky in BTS, Rodriguez in HR, and Rockies in survivor…Jimenez struggled lately but the Pirates are a good team to get back on track.
delayed: about to resume
The Rays won 4-2 over the Tigers so I’m good in survivor.
I have Hamilton for BTS and Werth for HRBTS.
One more AB probably guaranteed now with Heyward walking. I am not even sure if Nat’s have a closer.
If NATs get them 1,2,3 in next 2 innings; that’ll leave Prado on deck and oh, does that hurt — I know!
May I propose a new curse……..if you DARE ignore our Diety of Detail, His Holiness of Hash, the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler of all things Baseball, then you are destined for disaster.
@btsplayer: Matt Capps has 25 saves and a 2.80 ERA for the Nationals this season with a 0.79 ERA in the past 30 days. Pretty solid overall, however, he does have a .300 clip with the right handers. Though, only 2 hits in his last 6 innings pitched.
In the leader’s mind: Leadoff hit – great! Prado 1 more AB. Then, no, no, no double play & follow-up out. And finally: please, please, someone get on base next inning… The saga continues, but extras is a possibility
The leader had a nice run – should have gone with my pick of the day: “The Cuban Missle” Alexi Ramirez.
Professor Pete – Congrats on the nice run you have going.
Do you have a no doubt about it, take it to the bank, lock of pick for tomorrow or the weekend? (in BTS not at the race track 🙂
The Nats just added an insurance run. A 3 batter inning would leave Prado on deck (1,2,3 inning OR a single, walk, HBP, error followed by a double play).
I guess ATL is so confidant that they don’t believe in bunting.
The ex-leader had a good run making mostly ordinary picks. When was the last time his pick wasn’t the top pick of the day or at least top 3.
@chisox07: I was “relieved” when I saw Capps throwing some heat. I really wasn’t sure if they had a reliever. Those were smoking fastballs he was laying down. I swore that if MP get another AB, he will get a hit like so many other leaders got lucky on the last AB. Thank goodness!
@ALL. Lesson learned, again? Take your 15 mins of fame & accept the interview when offered.
Either you are good/lucky enough to win or you are not. If not, with the interview, you are least “known” by the BTS community and anyone else that reads the “Fantasy” section of MLB. Getting on the BTS all-time leaderboard at 38+ games isn’t much of a consolation but does give you a bit of immortality, at least until they decide to make that list 40+ games :0
I called it and it happened. I said it would be two days and it was. It was a good run while it lasted. Now I have to hope Cruz gets a hit.
champion_88: “… the interview only goes up on this blog, not all of MLB.com.”
Yes and no. It is available from MLB’s fantasy page. Example: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100729&content_id=12764424&vkey=&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
champion_88: “… the interview only goes up on this blog, not all of MLB.com.”
Yes and no. It is available from MLB’s fantasy page. Example: http://mlb.mlb.com/news/article.jsp?ymd=20100729&content_id=12764424&vkey=&fext=.jsp&c_id=mlb
“So unless this somehow transforms into one of those mind-blowing “Choose Your Own Adventure” books I was obsessed with as a 10-year-old, Jucksch’s 15 minutes of (relative) fame is squarely on the clock.
Which brings us to the dilemma: Should Jucksch accept his likely fate and decide to play nice in the sandbox with me and respond to my e-mail while his story is still relatively relevant?”
I think he should not cave into the pressure of revealing himself yet, since even if he loses, he can always send it afterwards and Dave will probably still post it.
Even if he does not, the interview only goes up on this blog, not all of MLB.com.
“Just great. Rain delay means Olsen won’t be coming back. This looks like another luck his way for the leader. I hope they just end the game here. How does game get decided whether to postpone the game or end early?”
Depends on the intentions of the umpiring crew.
Not sure why they would ever just call a game…especially day games.
Even if you have to wait 8 hours, most of those delays you know it is going to be a long delay, so the players could just take a nap and wait for the delay to be over.
“Hiyoooo Diaz homer takes me to 7. Follow my twitter @illquitmyjobonceigetto45towinthe3mill ”
You mean 56?
“May I propose a new curse……..if you DARE ignore our Diety of Detail, His Holiness of Hash, the Grand High Exalted Mystic Ruler of all things Baseball, then you are destined for disaster. ”
Who is that?
“The leader had a nice run – should have gone with my pick of the day: “The Cuban Missle” Alexi Ramirez.”
lol, you have been super cold recently.
why would he want to do that?
besides, once you get to the 30s, you don’t ask other people for advice.
Alexi “The Cuban Missle” Ramirez singles in his first at bat.
El hombre es muy caliente.
Josh Hamilton doubled in the 1st inning so I’m safe on beat the streak. I have Jayson Werth in HRBTS, so far no home run.
The Diamondbacks and Phillies are tied 2-2 in the middle of the 11th. Jayson Werth will lead off.
champion – reread the report. I was referring to Dave Feldman….
champion – reread the report. I was referring to Dave Feldman….