So, the weekend brought good news and bad news for the folks atop the season leaderboard. Which do you want first? Bad news? You got it!

Season leader Sebringt‘s inspired run petered out of gas at 37 games, meaning that we’re still looking for our first 40-game streak of the 2011 campaign.

The good news: sebringt converted with Adrian Gonzalez yesterday, meaning they’re now just 36 days from matching their season-high streak.

Hang on, that was just the appetizer to our three-course good news meal. The entree: jonroy73 made it through the weekend unscathed and is now chillin’ at 36 games. A correct pick on Monday would give him his own share of the season lead. Three more weeks of correct picks would mean a $5.7 million all-you-can-eat buffet.

And for dessert: bclark2779 is just a few games behind Mr. Roy, currently holding down second place with a 32-gamer.

________________

Monday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Yunel Escobar: .500 (10-for-20) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer

Jose Bautista: .625 (5-for-8) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer

Todd Helton: .500 (4-for-8) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Matt Garza

Aramis Ramirez: .500 (3-for-6) since ’06 vs. Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin

Feeling kinda spicy?

Juan Uribe: .364 (4-for-11) since ’06 vs. Twins starter Nick Blackburn

You’ll thank me later …

Starlin Castro: .000 (0-for-7) since ’06 vs. Rockies starter Jhoulys Chacin

Carlos Gonzalez: .125 (1-for-8) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Matt Garza

Troy Tulowitzki: .125 (1-for-8) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Matt Garza

Top MLB streakers 

Ryan Braun: 17 games

Nick Markakis: 16 games

Alex Gordon: 13 games

Michael Young: 12 games

Dustin Pedroia: 11 games

Starlin Castro: 10 games

Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Chris Young: (15 HR this season) vs. Indians starter Mitch Talbot

So remember all that stuff we said about how Thursday would be one of the hardest days of the season for Streak picks?

Well, umm, we may have overstated it a little bit.

As it turned out, five of your top six picks converted — including the top three — advancing a hefty 62.6 percent of all selectors in the process. Jose Reyes was responsible for over half of that total by himself, achieving national hero status with a 2-for-4 effort against the A’s.

The weekend’s full slates presents a less challenging picking environment, but Interleague matchups should always be approached with caution. Play safe, don’t run on the pool deck and feel free to reap the wisdom of …

_____________

Friday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there …

• Andre Ethier: .341 AVG (14-for-41) since ’06 vs. Angels starter Dan Haren

• Prince Fielder: .400 AVG (8-for-20) since ’06 vs. Twins starter Scott Baker

• Miguel Cabrera: .455 AVG (5-for-11) since ’06 vs. Diamondbacks starter Zach Duke

Feeling kinda spicy?

• Ryan Ludwick: .563 AVG (9-for-16) since ’06 vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe

You’ll thank me later …

• Mark Teixeira: .000 AVG (0-for-8) since ’06 vs. Yankees starter Ubaldo Jimenez

• Adrian Gonzalez: .111 AVG (1-for-9) since ’06 vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm

Home Run BTS pick:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there …

Yesterday was a productive one in Streakland. Your top four selections — J-Up, A-Gon, M-Cab and J-Ham — joined forces to go 8-for-13, and advanced a combined 33.8 percent of all Streakers in the process. Piñatas were bashed, ice cream cake was eaten and a great time was had by all.

Today, well, today is unlikely to be so kind.

We’re heading straight into the eye of an Interleague Thursday, folks. Five games, 10 teams and very little matchup history. Animals are acting strange. The sky is a shade of purple. Our joints are aching. Make no mistake: the big one is coming.

As such, we’re providing a special relief plan. Below, in ranked order as determined by a super-secret formula, are the 13 hitters we’d consider rolling with today. We’re not saying you can’t pick a batsman not listed here. We’re just saying that we wouldn’t recommend it.

No feelin’ spicy, no thankin’ me later today. Just 13 kid-tested, mother-approved pick suggestions. Hunker down, Streakers, and let us know about any hidden gems in the comments.

________________

Thursday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Jose Reyes: No history vs. A’s starter Graham Godfrey

Matt Holliday: .286 (6-for-21)  since ’06 vs. Phillies starter Roy Oswalt

Justin Upton: .200 (1-for-5) since ’06 vs. Royals starter Felipe Paulino

Carlos Beltran: No history vs. A’s starter Graham Godfrey

Ichiro Suzuki: .333 (2-for-6)  since ’06 vs. Nationals starter Jason Marquis

Placido Polanco: .375 (3-for-8)  since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter

Pablo Sandoval: No history vs. Twins starter Brian Duensing

Ryan Zimmerman: No history vs. Mariners starter Michael Pineda

Shane Victorino: .333 (1-for-3)  since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter

Billy Butler: .1.000 (2-for-2) since ’06 vs. Diamondbacks starter Daniel Hudson

Lance Berkman: 1.000 (1-for-1)  since ’06 vs. Phillies starter Roy Oswalt

Mike Morse: No history vs. Mariners starter Michael Pineda

Chase Utley: .333 (1-for-3)  since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter

Leaderboard time!

The good ship Sebringt docked at the Port of 35 Games last night with a little help from Miguel Cabrera, and now sits a scant 22 days from the $5.6 million buried treasure. Special shoutout also goes to Jonroy73, whose 32-game run puts him second on both the current and season leaderboards. Good luck riding out the story today, gamers.

Top MLB streakers 

Ryan Braun: 14 games

Nick Markakis: 13 games

Michael Cuddyer: 11 games

Robinson Cano: 11 games

Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Matt Holliday: (8 HR this season) vs. Phillies starter Roy Oswalt

Yesterday was a throwback Tuesday in Streakland, with ageless wonder Bobby Abreu leading the hit parade for 11.5 percent of all selectors.

We wonder where all you guys came up with that idea? What’s that old saying — even a blind MLBlog sometimes finds an Angels DH? Pretty sure that’s how it goes.

Anyway, Pauly Konks and Adrian Gonzalez also converted last night, combining to push an additional 18.6 percent of Streakers 24 hours closer to a 10 percent down payment on the $56 million house of their dreams.

Wednesday’s picks are below, please enjoy them responsibly. Nobody says you have to go and take Justin Upton today — hey, it’s your Streak on the line — but just remember that the Report is on a little bit of a (one-day) roll.

________________

Wednesday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Kelly Johnson: .750 (6-for-8) since ’06 vs. Royals starter Jeff Francis

Ryan Howard: .462 (6-for-13) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

Ben Zobrist: .500 (5-for-10) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Shaun Marcum

Jamey Carroll: .500 (4-for-8) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Rick Porcello

Justin Upton: .417 (5-for-12)  since ’06 vs. Royals starter Jeff Francis

Feeling kinda spicy?

Omar Infante: .556 (5-for-9) since ’06 vs. Angels starter Joel Pineiro

Sean Rodriguez: .538 (7-for-13) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Shaun Marcum

You’ll thank me later …

Jimmy Rollins: .167 (3-for-18) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

Chase Utley: .176 (3-for-17) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

Michael Bourn: .143 (1-for-7)  since ’06 vs. Rangers starter Colby Lewis

Leaderboard time!

On Monday, Ryan Braun got sick. On Tuesday, Joey Votto and the Reds got rained out. On Wednesday, we may finally get to see sebringt make a run at 35 games. Either that, or we’ll know there’s a force even bigger than BTS at work here.

Top MLB streakers 

Ryan Braun: 12 games

Nick Markakis: 12 games

Michael Cuddyer: 10 games

Ryan Zimmerman: 10 games

Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Josh Hamilton: (6 HR this season) vs. Astros starter Brett Myers

“Yo, Adrian — I did it!”

Well, really, all you Streakers did was pick Adrian Gonzalez. The Red Sox first baseman handled most of the actual legwork yesterday, rapping two singles and a double in a 14-5 drubbing of the Padres, and advancing 21 percent of all selectors in the process.

Gonzalez is as hot of a hitter as you’ll find these days, raking .353 on the season, .433 in June and .455 in his last 11 games. Feel free to deploy the power of the goatee in any ballpark and against any pitcher until further notice.

________________

Tuesday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Bobby Abreu: .438 (7-for-16) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Javier Vazquez

Matt Joyce: .500 (4-for-8) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Zack Greinke

Carlos Lee: .500 (4-for-8)  since ’06 vs. Rangers starter C.J. Lee

Andre Ethier: .417 (5-for-12) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer

Feeling kinda spicy?

Tony Gwynn: .571 (4-for-7) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer

Jason Michaels: .444 (4-for-9) since ’06 vs. Rangers starter C.J. Wilson

You’ll thank me later …

Matt Kemp: .000 (0-for-13)  since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer

Miguel Cabrera: .000 (0-for-12) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley

Casey Kotchman: .000 (0-for-11) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Zack Greinke

Billy Butler: .100 (1-for-10) since ’06 vs. Diamondbacks starter Joe Saunders

Leaderboard time!

Ryan Braun‘s illness pushed the pause button on sebringt‘s quest for 35 games for at least one day, allowing current silver medalist jonroy73 to gain a little bit of ground. JR’s streak now sits at 30 games — A.K.A. 17 games shy of 10 games shy of $5.6 million.

Top MLB streakers 

Ryan Braun: 12 games

Nick Markakis: 11 games

Robinson Cano: 9 games

Michael Cuddyer: 9 games

Ryan Zimmerman: 9 games
Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Jay Bruce: (17 HR this season) vs. Yankees starter Brian Gordon

Two challengers entered the BTS arena last Friday, each with a share of the season lead and a hunger for everlasting glory. Now, just one remains: sebringt.

Our convertible-loving current champ got two hits from Adrian Gonzalez last night, pushing his run to 34 games and extending his margin atop the season leaderboard to three. Nearly 20 percent of all Streakers agreed with the A-Gone pick and were rewarded for their efforts.

With no other current streak above 29 games, this could be the sebringt show for a while. Don’t look now, but he’s roughly a week away from our — gasp — first BTS Report Streaker interview of the 2011 campaign.

There isn’t much matchup history to tap into on this interleague Monday, so today’s picks are based on recent performance at the plate, how much we’d like to play wiffle ball with them and a few other secret ingredients. Please enjoy responsibly.

________________

Monday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Highest AVG, last 7 days … 

Charlie Blackmon: .545 (12-for-22) — vs. Indians starter Fausto Carmona

Chase Headley: .480 (12-for-25) — vs. Red Sox starter Andrew Miller

Miguel Cabrera: .458 (11-for-24) — vs. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw

Starlin Castro: .448 (13-for-29) — vs. White Sox starter Gavin Floyd

Highest AVG, last 14 days … 

Brett Gardner: .439 (18-for-41) — vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto

Victor Martinez: .420 (21-for-50) — vs. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw

Brennan Boesch: .407 (24-for-59) — vs. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw

Adrian Gonzalez: .400 (12-for-25) — vs. Padres starter Wade LeBlanc

Highest AVG, last 30 days … 

Paul Konerko: .379 (36-for-95) — vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

David Ortiz: .356 (36-for-101) — vs. Padres starter Wade LeBlanc

Casey Kotchman: .351  (26-for-74) — vs. Brewers starter Chris Narveson

Alexei Ramirez: .338 (38-for-112) — vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

You’ll thank me later, last 30 days …

B.J. Upton: .148 (13-for-88) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Chris Narveson

Dan Uggla: .152 (14-for-92) since ’06 vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero

Adam Dunn: .155 (11-for-71) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

Eric Hinsker: .169 (14-for-83) since ’06 vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero

Leaderboard time!

Who’s nipping at sebringt’s heels? Well, nobody really … he has a five game lead on all other current Streakers. But next in line are the creatively named Tylerman and jonwilson4000.

Top MLB streakers 

Ryan Braun: 12 games

Nick Markakis: 10 games

Miguel Cabrera: 9 games

Michael Cuddyer: 9 games

Victor Martinez: 9 games

Ryan Zimmerman: 9 games

Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Jay Bruce: (17 HR this season) vs. Yankees starter Ivan Nova

Our prediction yesterday that only one of the two co-leaders would emerge from Thursday’s action unscathed proved … woefully incorrect. Score one against the prescience of the BTS Report, but — more importantly — also score one for jdc5850 and another for sebringt.

Got your imaginary scorecards updated? Good. A look at the real scorecard shows the dynamic duo at 31 games apiece and tied for the 2011 lead with leahydpt and jsmnapoli.

If either jdc or sebring survives the weekend, we’ll be primed for the first mid-30’s run of the season. If both survive, then book the back room at Chuck E. Cheese’s because it is officially party time.

_____________

Friday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there …

• Jose Reyes: .583 AVG (7-for-12) since ’06 vs. Angels starter Joel Pineiro

• Vladimir Guerrero: .800 AVG (4-for-5) since ’06 vs. Nationals starter Jason Marquis

• Brandon Phillips: .500 AVG (4-for-8) since ’06 vs. Blue Jays starter Jo-Jo Reyes

Feeling kinda spicy?

• Jack Wilson: .417 AVG (10-for-24) since ’06 vs. Phillies starter Roy Oswalt

You’ll thank me later …

• Kevin Youkilis: .182 AVG (4-for-22) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Shaun Marcum

• Michael Bourn: .143 AVG (2-for-14) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Ted Lilly

Home Run BTS pick:

Sir Lancelot of St. Louis fell short in his joust against Livan the Ageless and the Nationals last night, disappointing 11.9 percent of Streakland’s loyal inhabitants in the process.

The rest of the day’s five most popular selections brought glory to their names and honor to their houses, however, emerging from the field of battle tired and dirtied but unscathed.

Polish your armor and sharpen your swords, gamers: Thursday is just another chapter in the season-long battle for the throne of this Streak game.

________________

Thursday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Alexei Ramirez: .385 (10-for-26)  since ’06 vs. Twins starter Nick Blackburn

Lance Berkman: .457 (7-for-15) since ’06 vs. Nationals starter John Lannan

Michael Cuddyer: .340 (16-for-47) since ’06 vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle

Delmon Young: .394 (13-for-33) since ’06 vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle

Placido Polanco: .375 (12-for-32) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Javier Vazquez

Kevin Youkilis: .385 (5-for-13) since ’06 vs. Rays starter David Price

Feeling kinda spicy?

Conor Jackson: .424 (14-for-33) since ’06 vs. Royals starter Jeff Francis

John Buck: .409 (9-for-22) since ’06 vs. Phillies starter Cliff Lee

You’ll thank me later …

Michael Brantley: .000 (0-for-9) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer

Chase Utley: .176 (3-for-17) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Javier Vazquez

Paul Konerko: .194 (7-for-36) since ’06 vs. Twins starter Nick Blackburn

Alex Rodriguez: .091 (1-for-11) since ’06 vs. Rangers starter C.J. Wilson

David Ortiz: .167 (2-for-12) since ’06 vs. Rays starter David Price

Leaderboard time!

Jdc5850 and sebringt remain co-lords of the realm after pushing their respective streaks to 30 games on Wednesday. Today will be the true test of valor, however, as each has a chance to match the season leaders at 31. Our prediction: Two will enter the arena, but only one will emerge.

Top MLB streakers 

Andrew McCutchen: 14 games

Ian Desmond: 9 games

Carlos Gonzalez: 9 games

Matt Kemp: 9 games

 
Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Domonic Brown: (4 HR this season) vs. Marlins starter Javier Vazquez

After two intense days of picking and Tweeting, the Beat the Streak Colbert Challenge reached its conclusion last night.

Albert Pujols — Stephen Colbert’s pick for Tuesday — homered in his first at-bat against Yuniesky Maya to give the Comedy Central host a two-game streak.

@MLB’s selection — Kevin Youkilis — went 0-for-4 against James Shields and the Rays.

The result: a Colbert victory with a high streak of two games. Mr. Colbert will gain full access to @MLB for a 24-hour period  in the near future. Expect plenty of witty political banter, anti-bear propoganda and stern finger-pointing.

________________

Wednesday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Paul Konerko: .478 (11-for-23) since ’06 vs. Twins starter Carl Pavano

Vladimir Guerrero: .529 (9-for-17)  since ’06 vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero

Angel Pagan: .500 (8-for-16) since ’06 vs. Braves starter Tim Hudson

Mark Teixeira: .500 (6-for-12) since ’06 vs. Rangers starter Derek Holland

Prince Fielder: .349 (15-for-43) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

Joey Votto: .368 (7-for-19) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley

Feeling kinda spicy?

Matt Diaz: .583 (7-for-12) since ’06 vs. Astros starter J.A. Happ

Jonny Gomes: .625 (5-for-8) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley

You’ll thank me later …

Rickie Weeks: .195 (8-for-41) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

Troy Tulowitzki: .000 (0-for-8) since ’06 vs. Padres starter Mat Latos

Brandon Phillips: .182 (4-for-22) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley

Bobby Abreu: .190 (4-for-21) since ’06 vs. Mariners starter Erik Bedard

Hunter Pence: .167 (2-for-12) since ’06 vs. Pirates starter Charlie Morton

Aramis Ramirez: .182 (2-for-11) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Chris Narveson

Leaderboard time!

Current co-leaders jdc5850 and sebringt both advanced their streaks to 29 games yesterday. A shot to tie the season lead at 31 could come tomorrow. No pressure, guys, but tomorrow is only one day after today.

Top MLB streakers 

Paul Konerko: 13 games

Andrew McCutchen: 13 games

Jacoby Ellsbury: 11 games

Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Nelson Cruz: (15HR this season) vs. Yankees starter Ivan Nova

With Day 1 in the books, the Colbert Challenge is all square: One game for Stephen Colbert, one game for @MLB.

@MLB took an early lead last night when Ichiro Suzuki smacked a clean single up the middle off of Dan Haren to lead off the bottom of the first inning in Seattle. Minutes later, Andre Ethier evened the score with a single of his own off of Bronson Arroyo.

Ichiro ultimately finished 2-for-4, while Ethier went 1-for-4. By the total hits tiebreaker, @MLB holds the lead by the slimmest of margins heading into Day 2.

________________

Tuesday’s picks:

(Make a BTS pick)

Oh, hello there … 

Dustin Pedroia: .433 (13-for-30)  since ’06 vs. Rays starter James Shields

Brandon Phillips: .538 (7-for-13) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw

Michael Brantley: .538 (7-for-13) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Justin Verlander

Aramis Ramirez: .462 (6-for-13) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Yovani Gallardo

Paul Konerko: .478 (11-for-23) since ’06 vs. Twins starter Carl Pavano

Ryan Howard: .478 (11-for-23) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Chris Volstad

Matt Kemp: .556 (5-for-9) since ’06 vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto

Hunter Pence: .500 (5-for-10) since ’06 vs. Pirates starter Jeff Karstens

Feeling kinda spicy?

Raul Ibanez: .526 (10-for-19) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Chris Volstad

You’ll thank me later …

Kevin Youkilis: .097 (3-for-31) since ’06 vs. Rays starter James Shields

Asdrubal Cabrera: .185 (5-for-27) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Justin Verlander

Angel Pagan: .074 (2-for-27) since ’06 vs. Braves starter Jair Jurrjens

Jose Reyes: .150 (3-for-20) since ’06 vs. Braves starter Jair Jurrjens

Leaderboard time!

In non-Colbert Challenge news, former leader CroFranjo lost their streak at 30 games last night thanks to an 0-fer by Jose Reyes. Our season co-leaders jsmnapoli and leahydpt remain safe at 31 for the time being. Jdc5850 and sebringt are next in line with current 28 game runs.

Top MLB streakers 

Hunter Pence: 23 games

Paul Konerko: 13 games

Andrew McCutchen: 12 games

Jacoby Ellsbury: 10 games

Home Run Beat the Streak pick:

Ryan Howard: (13 HR this season) vs. Marlins starter Chris Volstad