It wasn’t the kindest of Mondays for a good chunk of our Beat the Streak aspiring multi-millionaires.

Thanks to Franklin Gutierrez, Chipper Jones and Kelly Johnson, an eye-wincing 17.2 percent of our BTSers pressed the reset button in their quest for the mega bucks. And just to pour some Tabasco sauce on some open wounds, Derrek Lee, Chase Utley and Matt Kemp combined to eliminate an additional 6.4 percent of the field.

To quote Coldplay (oh boy), “Nobody said it was easy.”

And it shouldn’t be.

On with Tuesday’s picks.

Oh, hello there …

• Matt Holliday: .563 AVG (18-for-32) lifetime vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe
• Chase Utley: .636 AVG (7-for-11) lifetime vs. Giants starter Todd Wellemeyer
• Ryan Ludwick: .600 AVG (6-for-10) lifetime vs. Lowe
• Aramis Ramirez: .379 AVG (11-for-29) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez
• Adrian Beltre: .462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Shaun Marcum
• Geoff Blum: .588 AVG (10-for-17) lifetime vs. Reds starter Aaron Harang

Feeling kinda spicy?

• Adam LaRoche: .500 AVG (4-for-8) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Ubaldo Jimenez. Who wants to dance with Ubaldo the Incredible?
• Randy Winn: .611 AVG (11-for-18) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Kevin Millwood. Winn should get a hit, ya know, assuming he’s in the lineup.
• Ryan Garko: .480 AVG (12-for-25) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle. I mean, come on.

You’ll thank me later …

• Dustin Pedroia: .111 AVG (2-for-18) lifetime vs. Marcum
• Prince Fielder: .111 AVG (1-for-9) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Jeff Karstens
• Franklin Gutierrez: .067 AVG (1-for-15) lifetime vs. Royals starter Zack Greinke

Leaderboard time!

And then there were seven.

Seven Beat the Streakers are rocking 23-game streaks and are 40.4 percent on their way to buying pet zebras. Just because they can.

• ALbundy
• djbloom
• dodger_blue
• halofan4liphe
• j4trieze
• kot2
• olifante

Top MLB streakers

• Johnny Damon: 13 games
• Jeff Mathis: 10 games (DL)
• Matt Wieters: 8 games
• Geoff Blum: 7 games
• Carl Crawford: 7 games
• Carlos Guillen: 7 games (DL)
• Conor Jackson: 7 games

 

He may not don the black cloak or rock a scythe, but for the third time in six days, Derek Jeter has been the grim reaper for our streakers worldwide. After an 0-for-4 Sunday, Jeter annihilated 4.5 percent of the BTS pool, while his teammate, Mark Teixeira, went hitless in two at-bats to kick the bucket on 7.2 percent of our users.

I can understand why Teix was such a popular choice, as he entered Sunday’s contest with a ridiculous .583 (7-for-12) lifetime average vs. opposing starter Scott Kazmir.

Jeter is another story, as the Captain was just 6-for-38 (.158 AVG) against the hard-throwing southpaw and, ya know, IS IN THE MIDST OF A 5-for-29 SLUMP.

Whoa, sorry I blacked out.

Anyway, the denouement is not to be blinded by the star-power highfalutin names and to just look at the numbers.

I’m trying to help you here.

Let’s move on to Monday’s picks …

 

Oh, hello there …

• Michael Young: .500 AVG (6-for-12) since ’05 vs. Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman
• Shin-Soo Choo: .381 AVG (8-for-21) lifetime vs. Angels starter Jered Weaver
• Franklin Gutierrez: .500 AVG (8-for-16) lifetime vs. Royals starter Kyle Davies
• Kelly Johnson: 1.000 AVG (5-for-5) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Hammel
• Adam Lind: .455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Red Sox starter Josh Beckett
• Ryan Braun: .417 AVG (5-for-12) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Zach Duke

 

Feeling kinda spicy?

• Mark Grudzielanek: .545 AVG (6-for-11) lifetime vs. Angels starter Jered Weaver. I double-dog dare you.
• Ryan Spilborghs: .400 AVG (10-for-25) lifetime vs. D-backs starter Dan Haren. You’d be sick to go with Spilborghs. In a good way.
• David DeJesus: .375 AVG (6-for-16) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Felix Hernandez. Seriously, take a cold shower before pressing the “enter pick” button for DeJesus. It’s King Felix, for crying out loud!

 

You’ll thank me later …

• Stephen Drew: .000 AVG (0-for-7) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Hammel
• Aramis Ramirez: .000 AVG (0-for-8) lifetime vs. Nationals starter John Lannan
• Andre Ethier: .000 AVG (0-for-6) lifetime vs. Mets starter Oliver Perez

 

Leaderboard time!

We have reached a final 10! The following 10 streakers are atop the leaderboard with 22-game streaks and are 38.6 percent on their way to riding gold-plated ponies into the sunset:

• ALbundy
• GMAN09
• dave
• djbloom
• dodger_blue
• halofan4liphe
• j4trieze
• kot2
• mitchlisad
• olifante

 

Top MLB streakers

• Johnny Damon: 12 games
• Jeff Mathis: 10 games (DL)
• Matt Wieters: 8 games
• Geoff Blum: 7 games
• Carl Crawford: 7 games
• Carlos Guillen: 7 games (DL)
• Conor Jackson: 7 games

 

Tuesday’s recommended picks

Joey Votto, 1B, Reds
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley

Chipper Jones, 3B, Braves
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick

Garrett Atkins, 1B, Orioles
.714 AVG (5-for-7) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Jason Vargas

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

Yesterday’s results

A hefty 17.2 percent of fans placed their fortunes in the hands of Ichiro Suzuki, and the perennial BTS favorite came through with two hits to keep several thousand streaks alive.

The second-most popular selection, Albert Pujols, also proved to be a winning pick, as he rebounded from the previous day’s hitless performance with a 1-for-4 effort.

The day’s biggest streak breaker turned out to be Dustin Pedroia. The Boston second baseman has put up big numbers in the early going, but his 0-for-3 line yesterday ended the streaks of 7.2 percent of the fans.

That left us with 144 users tied for the top spot, at 16 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 17.2%, 2-for-4
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 9.4%, 1-for-4
3. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 7.2%, 0-for-3
4. Magglio Ordonez (DET): 5.3%, 2-for-4
5. Franklin Gutierrez (SEA): 5.2%, 2-for-2

 

Monday’s recommended picks

Conor Jackson, OF/1B, Diamondbacks
.474 AVG (9-for-19) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Brad Penny

Magglio Ordonez, OF, Tigers
.400 AVG (4-for-10) since ’05 vs. Angels starter Joel Pineiro

David DeJesus, OF, Royals
.429 AVG (3-for-7) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Brandon Morrow

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

Yesterday’s results

We had a big-time streak breaker yesterday with Albert Pujols’ hitless game against the Mets. A hefty 19 percent of BTS users went with Prince Albert, only to find themselves back at square one following his not-so-regal 0-for-5 performance.

With so many fans forced to start from scratch over the weekend, we’re down to 178 fans tied for the top spot, at 15 games. That’s still a pretty hearty number, but we’re sure to see more seemingly safe picks come up empty in the coming days.

Congrats to those who’ve made it this far without getting nailed by the 0-for whammy.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 19.0%, 0-for-5
2. Ryan Braun (MIL): 7.6%, 1-for-5
3. Matt Holliday (STL): 5.7%, 3-for-3
4. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.6%, 0-for-0
5. Derrek Lee (CHC): 4.0%, 0-for-5

 

Friday’s recommended picks

Stephen Drew, SS, Diamondbacks
.556 AVG (5-for-9) lifetime vs. Padres starter Jon Garland

Martin Prado, 2B, Braves
.467 AVG (7-for-15) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Hammel

Chone Figgins, 3B, Mariners
.455 AVG (5-for-11) since ’05 vs. Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman

Saturday’s recommended picks

Hideki Matsui, DH, Angels
.556 AVG (10-for-18) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Brian Tallet

Andrew McCutchen, OF, Pirates
.357 AVG (5-for-14) lifetime vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto

Dustin Pedroia, 2B, Red Sox
.440 AVG (11-for-25) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields

Sunday’s recommended picks

Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
.571 AVG (4-for-7) lifetime vs. Mets starter John Maine

Albert Pujols, 1B, Cardinals
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Mets starter John Maine

Vernon Wells, OF, Blue Jays
.357 AVG (5-for-14) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana

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

Yesterday’s results

While there were no big-time streak breakers yesterday, those who went with Joe Mauer likely were cursing their luck for picking him on a rare bad day. Mauer finished 0-for-4 in the first game he started and did not collect a hit this season.

Bit by bit, the huge group clumped at the top of the leaderboard is thinning out. The official count stands at 545; we’ll see how many emerge from the weekend’s action with 15-game streaks.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 13.4%, 2-for-4
2. Joe Mauer (MIN): 6.7%, 0-for-4
3. Prince Fielder (MIL): 6.2%, 1-for-4
4. Robinson Cano (NYY): 5.8%, 2-for-4
5. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.8%, 3-for-4

 

Thursday’s recommended picks

Manny Ramirez, OF, Dodgers
.577 AVG (15-for-26) lifetime vs. D-backs starter Dan Haren

Prince Fielder, 1B, Brewers
.364 AVG (12-for-33) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Carlos Zambrano

Hunter Pence, OF, Astros
.360 AVG (9-for-25) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

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

Yesterday’s results

It was a good day for much of the BTS faithful, as 12 of the Top 15 most selected players came through with at least one hit.

However, one of hitless games came courtesy of Matt Holliday, the day’s most popular pick. Holliday’s 0-for-4 performance ended the streaks of 13.6 percent of fans.

So with 11 games down, we have our first official leader count: 808 are tied for the top spot. While we’re still a long way off from Joe D’s record, a double-digit BTS streak is nothing to sneeze at, so kudos to all those who have gotten off to a hot start.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Matt Holliday (STL): 13.6%, 0-for-4
2. Albert Pujols (STL): 5.2%, 1-for-4
3. Joe Mauer (MIN): 5.1%, 1-for-4
4. Placido Polanco: (PHI): 4.6%, 2-for-4
5. Ryan Braun (MIL): 4.3%, 1-for-5

 

Wednesday’s recommended picks

Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Randy Wells

Matt Holliday, OF, Cardinals
.600 AVG (6-for-10) lifetime vs. Astros starter Brett Myers

Kosuke Fukudome, OF, Cubs
.471 AVG (8-for-17) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Dave Bush

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

Yesterday’s results

For the second straight day, a large contingent of the BTS faithful went with one player, placing their early hopes in the hands of Derek Jeter.

Demonstrating once again his ability to rise to the occasion, the Yankees captain responded with a third-inning homer off Angels starter Ervin Santana, sustaining the streaks of the 25.7 percent of the fans who picked him.

Yesterday also brought the second consecutive hitless game from Mariners catalyst Ichiro Suzuki, normally a BTS stalwart. While that performance ended a good share of streaks, several hundred remain tied for the top spot at 10 games.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Derek Jeter (NYY): 25.7%, 2-for-5
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 7.4%, 0-for-4
3. Todd Helton (COL): 4.8%, 1-for-3
4. Pablo Sandoval (SF): 4.8%, 1-for-5
5. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 4.4%, 0-for-3

 

Tuesday’s recommended picks

Rajai Davis, OF, A’s
.444 AVG (4-for-9) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Doug Fister

Derek Jeter, SS, Yankees
.435 AVG (10-for-23) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana

Dan Uggla, 2B, Marlins
.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo

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

Yesterday’s results

With 18.1 percent of participating fans going with Philly’s Chase Utley, a hefty chunk of the BTS leaders would have fallen from the pack had the All-Star second baseman come up empty-handed.

However, Utley showed why he’s one of the most reliable hitters in the game with a fifth-inning home run off Washington’s Jason Marquis, keeping many early streaks alive.

With nine days of play in the books, several hundred users remain tied for the BTS lead, so keep those winning picks coming.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Chase Utley (PHI): 18.1%, 1-for-3
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 6.6%, 0-for-4
3. Miguel Cabrera (DET): 5.6%, 1-for-4
4. Matt Holliday (STL): 5.1%, 0-for-3
5. Albert Pujols (STL): 4.8%, 2-for-3

 

Monday’s recommended picks

Chase Utley, 2B, Phillies
.500 AVG (9-for-18) since ’05 vs. Nationals starter Jason Marquis

Miguel Tejada, 3B, Orioles
.462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Rays starter Matt Garza

Kurt Suzuki, C, A’s
.400 AVG (8-for-20) lifetime vs. Mariners starter Ryan Rowland-Smith

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

Yesterday’s results

With several high-scoring games on the docket yesterday, there were plenty of hits to go around for BTS users.

Each of the Top 7 selected players came through with at least one hit, with Dustin Pedroia leading the way with four base knocks.

Several hundred fans are clustered at the top of the leaderboard with their eight-game streaks. Many will fall off over the coming days and weeks, but perhaps someone from that group is ready for a record-breaking run … 

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 6.8%, 3-for-5
2. Derek Jeter (NYY): 5.2%, 1-for-5
3. Robinson Cano (NYY): 5.1%, 1-for-4
4. Dustin Pedroia (BOS): 5.1%, 4-for-5
5. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 5.0%, 1-for-4

 

Friday’s recommended picks

Ryan Braun, OF, Brewers
.400 AVG (6-for-15) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Kyle Lohse

Michael Cuddyer, OF, Twins
.533 AVG (16-for-30) lifetime vs. White Sox starter John Danks

Josh Willingham, OF, Nationals
.412 AVG (7-for-17) lifetime vs. Mets starter Mike Pelfrey

Saturday’s recommended picks

Ichiro Suzuki, OF, Mariners
.444 AVG (4-for-9) lifetime vs. Rangers starter Matt Harrison

Ryan Zimmerman, 3B, Nationals
.350 AVG (7-for-20) lifetime vs. Mets starter Oliver Perez

Jeff Francoeur, OF, Mets
.500 AVG (11-for-22) lifetime vs. Nationals starter John Lannan

Sunday’s recommended picks

Edgar Renteria, SS, Giants
.727 AVG (8-for-11) in ’10

Carlos Gonzalez, OF, Rockies
.636 AVG (7-for-11) lifetime vs. Padres starter Jon Garland

Robinson Cano, 2B, Yankees
.478 AVG (11-for-23) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields

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

Yesterday’s results

It was the first rough day of the season for BTS users, who saw the usual safe picks come up short and the numbers turned upside down by surprisingly effective pitching.

The Top 2 picks of the day — Albert Pujols and Ichiro Suzuki — went a combined 0-for-7, knocking a huge contingent from the top of the leaderboard. And Johnny Damon, who entered the day with six hits in eight at-bats against Royals starter Brian Bannister, went 0-for-4 to thwart the fans who thought they were going with a sure thing.

It’s all part of Beat the Streak and baseball in general, as tricky hops and well-positioned defenders can make life tough for a hitter on any given day. Perhaps better luck will come from the weekend’s slate of action.

Yesterday’s Top 5 most selected players

1. Albert Pujols (STL): 13.3%, 0-for-3
2. Ichiro Suzuki (SEA): 10.6%, 0-for-4
3. Joe Mauer (MIN): 9.1%, 2-for-4
4. Johnny Damon (DET): 9.0%, 0-for-4
5. Chase Utley (PHI): 4.8%, 2-for-5