
Monday evening update: Ryan Braun came through again for Steve Summer, pushing his streak to a Metta World Peace-crazy 48 games. A correct selection on Tuesday would tie Steve for the longest streak in 11 years of Beat the Streak play. If that happens, we can officially kick off the 57 Watch.
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Monday afternoon update: Steve Summer‘s brain told him to go with Ryan Braun on Labor Day. The Brewers outfielder is entrusted with advancing a season-best 47-game streak and moving Steve within 9 days of the $5.6 million BTS grand prize.
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Sunday evening update: Another day and yet another hit for Steve Summer. Ichiro‘s 2-for-5 effort against the A’s carried our BTS season leader to 47 games, leaving him just two correct selections from matching the all-time BTS record. Oh, and 10 shy of breaking Joe DiMaggio‘s Major League mark and claiming the $5.6 million grand prize.
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Sunday afternoon update: Steve Summer went back to basics today, risking his 46-game streak on ol’ reliable Ichiro Suzuki. The Mariners right fielder has at least one hit in 16 of his last 17 games and is batting .333 in that span. A hit off Trevor Cahill or the A’s bullpen would vault Steve into sole possession of third place on the all-time BTS leaderboard.
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Saturday evening update: And the beat goes on… Adrian Gonzalez singled off Colby Lewis in the third inning to advance Steve Summer’s season-best streak to 46 games.
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Saturday afternoon update: Steve Summer selected Red Sox first baseman Adrian Gonzalez against Colby Lewis and the Rangers on Saturday. Reaching 46 games would tie Steve for the third-longest BTS streak of all time, and the longest since Bob Paradise strung together 48 games in 2008.
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Friday afternoon update: Well, that didn’t take long … Starlin Castro‘s third-inning single off Brian Burres pushed Steve’s streak to 45 games on Friday.
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This Streaking game takes plenty of time and skill to master — just ask the Excel wizards in the comments (JK, ❤ you guys!). But the road to 57 games is paved with a little bit of luck as well.
Ryan Braun was sitting at 0-for-4 and due up fourth in the ninth inning yesterday afternoon. Steve Summer‘s 43-game streak was more jeopardized than Ken Jennings. But Corey Hart came through with a single to bring Braun to the plate, and the Brewers left fielder did the rest.
Steve-O is now riding high at 44 games, the longest streak since June 2009 and tied for sixth-best in 11 seasons of BTS play. A chance to match the BTS all-time record of 49 could come as soon as Tuesday, with a shot at breaking Joe D’s record and taking home $5.7 million looming eight days later.
Make it through the long weekend, Steve, and we’ll talk turkey.
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Friday’s picks:
(Make a BTS pick)
Oh, hello there…
Melky Cabrera: .588 (10-for-17) since ’06 vs. Indians starter Justin Masterson
Neil Walker: .583 (7-for-12) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Ryan Dempster
Alex Gordon: .421 (8-for-19) since ’06 vs. Indians starter Justin Masterson
Feeling kinda spicy?
Aubrey Huff: .458 (11-for-24) since ’06 vs. D-backs starter Joe Saunders
Orlando Cabrera: .545 (12-for-22) since ’06 vs. D-backs starter Joe Saunders
You’ll thank me later
Dan Uggla: .071 (1-for-14) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley
Brandon Phillips: .146 (7-for-48) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter
Paul Konerko: .152 (7-for-46) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Justin Verlander
Home Run Beat the Streak pick:
Prince Fielder: (29 home runs this season) vs. Astros starter Lucas Harrell
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Saturday’s picks:
(Make a BTS pick)
Oh, hello there…
Joe Mauer: .647 (11-for-17) since ’06 vs. Angels starter Joel Pineiro
Brett Gardner: .500 (7-for-14) since ’06 vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero
Billy Butler: .444 (4-for-9) since ’06 vs. Indians starter David Huff
Feeling kinda spicy?
Alex Rios: .611 (11-for-18) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Brad Penny
Jack Hannahan: .625 (5-for-8) since ’06 vs. Royals starter Luke Hochevar
You’ll thank me later
Alexei Ramirez: .100 (1-for-10) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Brad Penny
Shane Victorino: .154 (4-for-26) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco
Derek Jeter: .130 (3-for-23) since ’06 vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero
Home Run Beat the Streak pick:
Jose Bautista: (39 home runs this season) vs. Yankees starter Bartolo Colon
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Sunday’s picks:
(Make a BTS pick)
Oh, hello there…
Andrew McCutchen: .500 (8-for-16) since ’06 vs. Cubs starter Randy Wells
David Ortiz: .500 (5-for-10) since ’06 vs. Rangers starter Matt Harrison
Austin Jackson: .438 (7-for-16) since ’06 vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle
Feeling kinda spicy?
Jon Jay: .467 (7-for-15) since ’06 vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo
Orlando Hudson: .425 (17-for-40) since ’06 vs. Rockies starter Aaron Cook
You’ll thank me later
Martin Prado: .091 (1-for-11) since ’06 vs. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw
Troy Tulowitzki: .100 (1-for-10) since ’06 vs. Padres starter Mat Latos
Alexei Ramirez: .067 (1-for-15) since ’06 vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer
Home Run Beat the Streak pick:
Josh Hamilton: (19 home runs this season) vs. Red Sox starter John Lackey
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Monday’s picks:
(Make a BTS pick)
Oh, hello there…
Brian McCann: .417 (5-for-12) since ’06 vs. Phillies starter Cliff Lee
Ryan Braun: .600 (6-for-10) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook
Prince Fielder: .417 (5-for-12) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook
Feeling kinda spicy?
Omar Infante: .438 (7-for-16) since ’06 vs. Mets starter Chris Capuano
Mark Kotsay: .500 (7-for-14) since ’06 vs. Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook
You’ll thank me later
Matt Kemp: .100 (1-for-10) since ’06 vs. Nationals starter John Lannan
Jose Reyes: .176 (3-for-17) since ’06 vs. Marlins starter Javier Vazquez
Lance Berkman: .154 (3-for-21) since ’06 vs. Brewers starter Randy Wolf
Home Run Beat the Streak pick:
Ryan Braun: (25 home runs this season) vs. Cardinals starter Jake Westbrook