Tagged: beat the streak report
Beat the Streak Report: Weekend, July 9-11
Who’s got two thumbs and watched Brandon Phillips go 0-for-5 to snap a five-game streak?
This guy. And apparently 10.9 percent of Streakland too.
Phillips, the day’s most popular pick, tag teamed with Jorge Cantu (4.6
percent) and Hanley Ramirez (2.2 percent) to zap the streaks of about
18 percent of the universe combined.
The good news is that our old reliable, Miguel Cabrera, is back
in action tonight and takes his Major League-leading 16-game streak to
Comerica Park to face Francisco Liriano.
And Cabrera (.357 AVG; 5-for-14 lifetime) <3s hitting off Liriano
Over/under on percent of streakers who select Miggy tonight as their choice: 20.5 percent.
I’ll take the over, Johnny.
On to the weekend’s picks …
Oh, hello there …
Friday
? Miguel Cabrera: 16-game hitting streak; .357 AVG (5-for-14) lifetime vs. Twins starter Francisco Liriano
? Denard Span: .435 AVG (10-for-23) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Justin Verlander
? David Ortiz: .500 AVG (6-for-12) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero
Saturday
? Brian McCann: .419 AVG (13-for-31) lifetime vs. Mets starter Mike Pelfrey
? Martin Prado: .467 AVG (7-for-15) lifetime vs. Mets starter Mike Pelfrey
? Miguel Cabrera: .455 AVG (10-for-22) lifetime vs. Twins starter Nick Blackburn
Sunday
? Matt Diaz: .522 AVG (12-for-23) lifetime vs. Mets starter Johan Santana
? Magglio Ordonez: .444 AVG (8-for-18) lifetime vs. Twins starter Carl Pavano
? David Wright: .368 AVG (7-for-19) lifetime vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe
Feeling kinda spicy?
Friday
? Ryan Theriot: .545 AVG (6-for-11) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Chad Billingsley
? Willie Bloomquist: .455 AVG (15-for-33) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle
Saturday
? Jhonny Peralta: .471 AVG (8-for-17) lifetime vs. Rays starter Matt Garza
? A.J. Pierzynski: .419 AVG (13-for-31) lifetime vs. Royals starter Brian Bannister
Sunday
? Aaron Rowand: .450 AVG (9-for-20) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez
? Milton Bradley: .429 AVG (6-for-14) lifetime vs. Yankees starter CC Sabathia
You’ll thank me later …
Friday
? Carlos Lee: .043 AVG (1-for-23) lifetime vs. Cardinals starter Adam Wainwright
? David DeJesus: .181 AVG (13-for-72) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Mark Buehrle
? Dexter Fowler: .000 AVG (0-for-12) lifetime vs. Padres starter Kevin Correia
Saturday
? Paul Konerko: .161 AVG (5-for-31) lifetime vs. Royals starter Brian Bannister
? Adrian Gonzalez: .176 AVG (3-for-17) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Hammel
Sunday
? Brandon Phillips: .111 AVG (2-for-18) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Cole Hamels
? Alexei Ramirez: .150 AVG (3-for-20) lifetime vs. Royals starter Zack Greinke
Leaderboard time!
The good news is that Josh Hamilton’s hit fiesta vs. the
Orioles vaulted our Beat the Streak leader, “scott.fredrickson” to a
36-game streak.
The bad news is that our Home Run Beat the Streak Miss Cleo
extraordinaire, “tpw”, is donesky, after Corey Hart was unable to go
yard off Manny Parra and Co.
But a big hearty round of applause for “tpw”, everyone. An eight-game streak is quite the swank accomplishment.
Top MLB streakers
? Miguel Cabrera: 16 games
? Austin Jackson: 11 games
? Ichiro Suzuki: 10 games
Five players tied with eight-game streaks.
Beat the Streak Report: Thursday, July 8
While our Beat the Streak leader (“scott.fredrickson”) pushed pause
on his 35-gamer after watching Justin Morneau sit last night’s contest
out, our Home Run Beat the Streak leader made moves.
For the eighth consecutive day, “tpw” got his Miss Cleo on
(hello, reference from 2004) and used his psychic powers in selecting
Ryan Howard, who proceeded to tater off Kris Medlen in the fifth inning
last night.
With an eight-game homer streak, “tpw” is now riding solo with
the season lead and is in the driver’s seat for two tickets to the 2011
All-Star Game in Phoenix with a shot at $10,000.
Did I mention how unpredictably insane this feat is? Odds “tpw” has been stocking up on Powerball tickets?
As for my debut Ryan Braun Home Run BTS Pick of the Day? Yeah, the other LeBraun went 0-for-2 with two strikeouts.
Glad I could help.
Time for Thursday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
? Brandon Phillips:.455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Kyle Kendrick
? Jorge Cantu: .500 AVG (7-for-14) lifetime vs. Diamondbacks starter Rodrigo Lopez
? Franklin Gutierrez: .417 AVG (5-for-12) lifetime vs. Yankees starter Andy Pettitte
? Michael Young: .400 AVG (6-for-15) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie
? Juan Pierre: .347 AVG (4-for-15) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana
Feeling kinda spicy?
? Mark Kotsay: .417 AVG (10-for-24) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana.
Hits in six of last seven games makes me say yes to Kotsay.
You’ll thank me later …
? Paul Konerko: .182 AVG (4-for-22) lifetime vs. Angels starter Ervin Santana
? Prince Fielder: .167 AVG (2-for-12) lifetime vs. Giants starter Barry Zito
? Andrew McCutchen: .167 AVG (1-for-7) lifetime vs. Astros starter Roy Oswalt
? Vladimir Guerrero: .059 AVG (1-for-17) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie
Leaderboard time!
Our second-place streaker, “trisha0087”, also selected Justin Morneau to freeze a 29-game streak.
What’s going on here? Why all the Morneau love? Has anyone seen
Miguel Cabrera hit lately? Was Brad Bergersen scaring you all THAT
MUCH?
HEY, ALL CAPS, GO AWAY!
THAnks.
Top MLB streakers
? Miguel Cabrera: 16 games
? Clint Barmes: 14 games
? Austin Jackson: 11 games
? Erick Aybar: 10 games
? Jeff Keppinger: 9 games
? Sean Rodriguez: 9 games
? Ichiro Suzuki: 9 games
Beat the Streak Report: Wednesday, July 7
This Miguel Cabrera feller is pretty good.
After tripling and homering in last night’s 7-5 comeback over the
Orioles, Miggy now leads all humans everywhere with a .343 average. And
21 homers. And 73 RBIs.
Triple Crown much?
But enough with Cabrera and enough with Beat the Streak.
It’s time to give credit where credit is due and right now a streaker
who goes by three small letters (“tpw”)is doing very big things in Home
Run Beat the Streak — a game that seems so absurdly difficult and
luck-driven I don’t even pretend to give (below-average) advice.
“tpw” is currently rolling with a seven-game homer streak, thanks to (obviously) Cabrera’s ninth-inning blast last night.
The seven-game streak puts him tied for the season lead with
“holidave”, and if Miggy can just crank one out today it would put
“tpw” in the driver’s seat for two tickets to the 2011 All-Star Game in
Phoenix and an outside shot at $10,000.
This is quite impressive.
Wait, what’s that? You want me to give a HR BTS Pick of the Day?
Oh, stop it. I couldn’t. It would just be too nonsensical.
Alllllllright fineeee, twist my arm.
Special bonus Home Run Beat the Streak Pick of the Day: Ryan Braun, who has two homers in 13 career at-bats vs. Tim Lincecum.
Consider yourself warned.
Time for Wednesday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
? Miguel Cabrera: 15-game hitting streak; 1-for-3 lifetime vs. Orioles starter Brad Bergesen
? Ryan Braun: .462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Giants starter Tim Lincecum
? Torii Hunter:.400 AVG (16-for-40) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Freddy Garcia
? Andre Ethier: .500 AVG (5-for-10) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Josh Johnson
? Troy Glaus: .350 AVG (21-for-60) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Jamie Moyer
? Martin Prado: .364 AVG (8-for-22) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Jamie Moyer
? Vernon Wells:.545 AVG (6-for-11) lifetime vs. Twins starter Kevin Slowey
Feeling kinda spicy?
? Franklin Gutierrez: .571 AVG (8-for-14) lifetime vs. Royals starter Kyle Davies
You had me at Davies.
You’ll thank me later …
? Dan Uggla: .091 AVG (1-for-11) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Hiroki Kuroda
? James Loney: .100 AVG (1-for-10) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Josh Johnson
? Matt Holliday: .167 AVG (1-for-6) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Jason Hammel
Leaderboard time!
Joe Mauer’s 1-for-4 evening gave our leader, “scott.fredrickson”, a 34-game streak.
Milk might be a bad choice but picking Miguel Cabrera tonight (probably) is not.
Top MLB streakers
? Miguel Cabrera: 15 games
? Clint Barmes: 13 games
? Jason Kendall: 11 games
? Rafael Furcal: 10 games
? Austin Jackson: 10 games
Beat the Streak Report: Tuesday, July 6
Is there a better way to start off a short week fresh off the heels of a Gravy Train Monday?
No there is not.
Villagers of Streakland feasted in a total hits smorgasbord yesterday,
as the the eight most popular selections each got hits to pull their
forces together and extend the streaks of about 55 percent of the
universe combined.
Justin Upton was the day’s biggest annihilator, taking down 2.4 percent of all streaks with an 0-for-4 evening.
Was Justin Upton an MLB.com certified Pick of the Day?
Yes, he was.
Am I the guy who decides which players to feature in said Pick of the Day?
Yes, I am.
Moral of the story?
It’s always fun to ask yourself questions in writing even if you
cost a small nugget of people the chance at $3,000,000 along the way.
Time for Tuesday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
? Corey Hart: .360 AVG over 20-game hitting streak; has never faced Giants starter Madison Bumgarner
? Chipper Jones: .409 AVG (9-for-22) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Cole Hamels
? Vernon Wells: .400 AVG (8-for-20) lifetime vs. Twins starter Carl Pavano
? Juan Pierre: .375 AVG (6-for-16) lifetime vs. Angels starter Jered Weaver
? Michael Cuddyer: .571 AVG (4-for-7) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Jesse Litsch
Feeling kinda spicy?
? Tony Gwynn: .357 AVG (5-for-14) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez.
Nepotism much?
You’ll thank me later …
? Paul Konerko: .091 AVG (1-for-11) lifetime vs. Angels starter Jered Weaver
? Marco Scutaro: .143 AVG (2-for-14) lifetime vs. Rays starter Jeff Niemann
? Jimmy Rollins: .167 AVG (4-for-24) lifetime vs. Braves starter Jair Jurrjens
? James Loney: .167 AVG (2-for-12) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Chris Volstad
Leaderboard time!
“Wolfenstein35” didn’t survive the long weekend. This means that
the Beat the Streak bee’s knees for now is “scott.fredrickson”, who is
rocking a 33-gamer after Robinson Cano’s 1-for-4 evening.
Fredrickson is now 57.9 percent on his way to the big bucks. I
would not be opposed to the idea of Scott getting a little ahead of
himself, taking out an advance on his winnings and buying me one of
those hand-held fans with a water spritzer — a spritz-fan.
Oh, spritz-fan, how I need you on this 100-degree New York day.
Top MLB streakers
? Corey Hart: 20 games
? Miguel Cabrera: 14 games
? Clint Barmes: 12 games
? Jason Kendall: 10 games
? Corey Patterson: 10 games
Beat the Streak Report: Weekend, July 2-5
A rough day in Streakland yesterday, as Josh Hamilton’s 23-game run
came to a close and he took 12.9 percent of BTSers with him. Tack in a
couple 0-fers from Ryan Braun and Adrian Gonzalez, and more than 20
percent of all streakers are now beginning their holiday weekend at 0.
Speaking of holiday weekends …it’s, um, a holiday weekend! So make sure to plan ahead and select your guys through Monday.
The last you want is to see your 24-gamer slip through the
cracks because you were too distracted grilling and keeping your Uncle
Sam beard out of the flaming charcoal.
On to the weekend’s picks …
Oh, hello there …
Friday
? Miguel Tejada: .387 5-year AVG (12-for-31) vs. Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield
? Jose Guillen: .500 5-year AVG (5-for-10) vs. Angels starter Joe Saunders
? Torii Hunter: .412 5-year AVG (7-for-17) vs. Royals starter Kyle Davies
Saturday
? Alfonso Soriano: .444 5-year AVG (8-for-18) vs. Reds starter Johnny Cueto
? Alex Rodriguez: .364 5-year AVG (4-for-11) vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero
? Coco Crisp: .667 5-year AVG (8-for-12) vs. Indians starter Jake Westbrook
Sunday
? Chone Figgins: .357 5-year AVG (5-for-14) vs. Tigers starter Jeremy Bonderman
? Alex Rios: .353 5-year AVG (6-for-17) vs. Rangers starter Scott Feldman
? Chipper Jones: .464 5-year AVG (13-for-28) vs. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco
Monday
? Justin Upton: .400 5-year AVG (4-for-10) vs. Cubs starter Tom Gorzelanny
? Adrian Beltre: .421 5-year AVG (8-for-19) vs. Rays starter Matt Garza
? Josh Hamilton: .571 5-year AVG (4-for-7) vs. Indians starter Aaron Laffey
Feeling kinda spicy?
Friday
? Chase Headley: .300 AVG (3-for-10) lifetime vs. Astros starter Roy Oswalt
Saturday
? Mark Reynolds: .333 AVG (3-for-9) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw
Sunday
? Matt Diaz: .467 AVG (7-for-15) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Ricky Nolasco
Monday
? Juan Rivera: .417 AVG (5-for-12) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Gavin Floyd
You’ll thank me later …
Friday
? Martin Prado: .133 AVG (2-for-15) lifetime vs. Marlins starter Josh Johnson
? Josh Hamilton: .143 AVG (1-for-7) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Freddy Garcia
Saturday
? Ryan Howard: .118 AVG (2-for-17) lifetime vs. Pirates starter Paul Maholm
? Derek Jeter: .100 AVG (1-for-10) lifetime vs. Blue Jays starter Ricky Romero
Sunday
? Brandon Phillips: .120 AVG (3-for-25) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Ted Lilly
? Denard Span: .077 AVG (1-for-13) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields
Monday
? Alex Rios: .176 AVG (6-for-34) since ’05 vs. Angels starter Scott Kazmir
? Carlos Guillen: .083 AVG (2-for-25) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Kevin Millwood
Leaderboard time!
You know how we had three streakers atop our leaderboard yesterday with 30-game streaks? Well, now we have one.
“wolfenstein35” is our lonesome streak now, riding high with a 31-gamer thanks to Derek Jeter 1-for-4 performance.
Odds “wolfenstein35” plays Castle Wolfenstein over the long weekend? I’ll leave that for you all to discuss.
Be safe, have a good one.
Top MLB streakers
? Corey Hart: 16 games
? Mark Teixeira: 12 games
? Miguel Cabrera : 11 games
? Cody Ross: 11 games
? Russell Branyan : 10 games
Beat the Streak Report: Thursday, July 1
Let me preface everything I’m about to write with the fact that my
longest streak this season is a mere seven-gamer. I pick with my heart
more than my head 80 percent of the time. If Miguel Cabrera played
everyday, I’d never change my pick. I threw away a four-game streak
just to pick Pedro Alvarez on the day he got called up.
So, sure, criticism from me towards a guy who just completed a 41-game
streak would be like Danny DeVito chastising Yao Ming for not being
tall enough.
With that said, I just don’t get Kyle “kbarr9” Barr’s selection
of Denard Span yesterday which ultimately wrecked his chances at the
$3,000,000 grand prize.
Let’s get right to the steak and deal with the side dishes later:
Span was facing Tigers rookie southpaw Andy Oliver, a very
talented and highly touted 2009 second-round pick of the Tigers whose
average fastball hovers around 94 mph. Did I mention he’s left handed?
I did? OK, good.
Like everyone else in the Majors who does not play for the
Atlanta Braves, Span had never faced Oliver before. This is not a good
thing, especially when Span is batting only a respectable .284 vs.
southpaws this season.
At best, at the VERY best, choosing Span vs. a
hard-throwing lefty who he’s never seen before seems like a
below-average choice. And that’s being kind, actually, ya know,
considering we are allowed to select any Major League hitter in this
game — not just someone from the Minnesota Twins (and if this were a
Twins-only BTS game, Span at best would be the second-best choice
behind Justin Morneau and his .343 AVG against lefties).
With that said, again, my highest streak of the year is seven.
What do I know?
Time for Thursday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
- Josh Hamilton: 23-game hitting streak; .389 AVG (7-for-18) lifetime vs. Angels starter Jered Weaver
? Ichiro Suzuki: .396 AVG (19-for-48) lifetime vs. Yankees starter CC Sabathia
? David Wright: .414 AVG (12-for-29) since ’05 vs. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez
? Pat Burrell: .632 AVG (12-for-19) lifetime vs. Rockies starter Aaron Cook
? Orlando Cabrera: .389 AVG (14-for-36) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Carlos Silva
? Christian Guzman: .474 AVG (9-for-19) lifetime vs. Mets starter Johan Santana
Feeling kinda spicy?
? B.J. Upton: .455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Twins starter Carl Pavano
What we know: Upton is batting .226 this year and Pavano and his ‘stache have been nearly unhittable as of late.
What we don’t know: If Upton will even be in the lineup.
Verdict: Check, please!
You’ll thank me later …
? Carlos Lee: .071 AVG (1-for-14) lifetime vs. Padres starter Jon Garland.
? Evan Longoria: .125 AVG (1-for-8) lifetime vs. Twins starter Carl Pavano
? Erick Aybar: .091 AVG (1-for-11) lifetime vs. Rangers starter C.J. Wilson
Leaderboard time!
With Barr no longer in the equation, we have a new fearsome threesome atop the leaderboard, each with 30-game streaks:
? JohnWillson
? ignaciometcalf
? wolfenstein35
Only 27 more games to go. Call me in four weeks, k?
Top MLB streakers
? Josh Hamilton: 23 games
? Corey Hart: 15 games
? Jose Lopez: 13 games
? Miguel Cabrera : 11 games
? Cody Ross: 11 games
? Mark Teixeira: 11 games
Beat the Streak Report: Wednesday, June 30
Leader Kyle Barr upped his streak to a stellar 41-game clip last
night thanks to Miguel Cabrera, who extended the lives of 14.9 percent
of the BTS universe with a 2-for-3 evening vs. the Twins.
Barr is now 71.9 percent on the way to the big bucks and you
can already smell the white truffles, golden caviar and rich sea urchin
bustling along in his kitchen. Will our fearsome leader start counting
his cash and dare slap some insanely expensive saffron-season lobster
on his menu tonight?
We shall find out soon enough.
Regardless, it’s clear that our cook is on a mission and there is no stopping him*
* = Assuming he doesn’t pick Ichiro
Time for Wednesday’s picks
Dave’s Updated Note: Barr selected Denard Span. Span went 0-for-2. Well, that was fun. How Barr puts his $3,000,000 on Span, who has never faced opposing lefty Andy Oliver — who throws in the low-to-mid 90s by the by — is beyond me. Full post tomorrow.
Oh, hello there …
? Corey Hart: 14-game hitting streak; .407 AVG (11-for-27) lifetime vs. Astros starter Wandy Rodriguez
? Hunter Pence: .471 AVG (8-for-17) lifetime vs. Brewers starter Dave Bush
? Aubrey Huff: .571 AVG (8-for-14) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Vicente Padilla
? Adrian Beltre: .438 AVG (7-for-16) lifetime vs. Rays starter Matt Garza
? Matt Kemp: .412 AVG (7-for-17) lifetime vs. Giants starter Jonathan Sanchez
? Vladimir Guerrero: .429 AVG (6-for-14) lifetime vs. Angels starter Scott Kazmir
Feeling kinda spicy?
? A.J. Pierzynski: .400 AVG (16-for-40) lifetime vs. Royals starter Zack Greinke
Didn’t we see you here yesterday, A.J.? Don’t you get the message?
You’ll thank me later …
? Paul Konerko: .137 AVG (7-for-51) lifetime vs. Royals starter Zack Greinke
? David DeJesus: .000 AVG (0-for-11) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Jake Peavy
? Ian Kinsler: .115 AVG (3-for-26) lifetime vs. Angels starter Scott Kazmir
? Nelson Cruz: .167 AVG (2-for-12) lifetime vs. Angels starter Scott Kazmir
Leaderboard time!
Objects in Barr’s mirror are further away than they appear, as
our fearsome foursome each survived another day and are all riding
29-game streaks.
Can this pack keep up the pressure on Barr while he’s filleting kobe beef with his eyes closed while making his picks?
We shall find out soon enough.
Top MLB streakers
? Josh Hamilton: 22 games
? Corey Hart: 14 games
? Jose Lopez: 12 games
? Miguel Cabrera : 10 games
? Cody Ross: 10 games
? Mark Teixeira: 10 games
Beat the Streak Report: Tuesday, June 29
The kiddy gloves came flying off for our new leader, “kbarr9”, who
took the bull by the horns in his first day atop the Beat the Streak
kingdom by riding Andrew McCutchen (1-for-5) to a 40-game streak.
Despite an uncanny trail of victims who have seen their streaks
vanish within days of agreeing to an interview with yours truly,
“kbarr9” consented to answer a few questions to let the world know
about the man behind the streak.
“kbarr9”, aka Kyle Barr, is a cook at a small restaurant called
the Country Post Inn in Huntington, Indiana. A native of Huntington,
Barr grew up a Cubs fan and his favorite player is Ryne Sandberg except
that it’s really Ichiro Suzuki (huh?).
At this point, I’d like to ask you BTS diehards who have been
playing this game for several aggravating (but enjoyable! Enjoyably
aggravating!) years to clutch a pillow because you will starting hating
yourselves in about five seconds:
This is the first year Barr has ever played Beat the Streak. In
fact, Barr only started playing this game in late April or early May
(he doesn’t remember). And better yet, before his 40-game streak, he
already had a 16-game streak already snap. I mean, what?
Beat the Streak has pretty much been “Candy Land” wrapped in “Chutes in
Ladders” peppered with a dash of “Rummikub” for this guy; he’s been
check-mating Bobby Fisher from birth and we apparently haven’t even
been playing checkers for the last 10 years; we’ve been playing
rock-paper-scissors for beginners.
Imagine what his Salisbury steak must taste like!
Anyway, the good news is that Barr is a frequent reader of the BTS
Report, claims to have frequently taken my advice (hiyoooooo!) and put
in a special request to thank his baseball coach, Josh Schoeff, for
introducing him to Beat the Streak.
Thanks, Josh. Because of you, Free Milk Shake Mondays could soon be eliminated from the MLB.com Fantasy Department budget.
Time for Tuesday’s picks
Oh, hello there …
? Andre Ethier: .545 AVG (18-for-33) lifetime vs. Giants starter Matt Cain
? Joe Mauer: .471 AVG (8-for-17) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Armando Galarraga
? Miguel Cabrera: .421 AVG (8-for-19) lifetime vs. Twins starter Nick Blackburn
? Cristian Guzman: .615 AVG (8-for-13) since ’05 vs. Braves starter Derek Lowe
? Denard Span: .462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Armando Galarraga
? Magglio Ordonez: .429 AVG (6-for-15) lifetime vs. Twins starter Nick Blackburn
Feeling kinda spicy?
? A.J. Pierzynski: .414 AVG (12-for-29) lifetime vs. Royals starter Brian Bannister
Pierzynski is batting .243 on the year and his average is
sinking like an anvil in an above-ground pool with just one hit over
his last 13 at-bats.
That’s a no for those of you scoring at home.
You’ll thank me later ...
? Kevin Youkilis: .107 AVG (3-for-28) lifetime vs. Rays starter James Shields
? Nick Markakis: .133 AVG (2-for-15) lifetime vs. Athletics starter Dallas Braden
? Manny Ramirez: .154 AVG (2-for-13) lifetime vs. Giants starter Matt Cain
? Andrew McCutchen: .176 AVG (3-for-17) lifetime vs. Cubs starter Ted Lilly
Leaderboard time!
12 games back from Barr is a four-pack of streakers riding 28-gamers.
Yeah, um, good luck with that!
Top MLB streakers
? Josh Hamilton: 21 games
? Corey Hart: 13 games
? Jose Lopez: 11 games
? Chipper Jones: 11 games
? Jonathan Herrera : 10 games
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: Weekend, June 25-27
And now the magic number is 16.
After Ryan Braun’s third-inning double, Beat the Streak leader Dick
George sits atop his cushy thrown with a wow-that’s-really-high 41-game
hitting streak.
Unlike yesterday, when George’s rational seemed so obvious it could
have come straight from Bill Walton’s lips, he gave a more detailed
analysis with his Braun selection:
“Braun had a great record against [opposing Twins starter Nick
]Blackburn and Blackburn has been pitching especially poorly lately ( I
have him on my rotisserie league team, so I know). Again it’s a home
game for Braun on a field where there can never be a weather issue. I
hesitated a little when I went to the Brewer’s web site and saw that
Braun was opening a new restaurant tonight — would he be focused?”
Now that’s the kind of homework I want to see from a man with a
41-game streak. Enough with this whole “well, it was a lefty-righy
matchup and Ichiro is fast” shenanigans. I need more undercover,
player-X-is-opening-a-restaurant TMZ-style Carmen Sandiego groundwork.
On to the weekend’s picks …
Oh, hello there …
Friday
? Manny Ramirez: .571 AVG (12-for-21) lifetime vs. Yankees starter CC Sabathia
? Orlando Cabrera: .389 AVG (7-for-18) lifetime vs. Indians starter Aaron Laffey
? Alfonso Soriano: .368 AVG (7-for-19) lifetime vs. White Sox starter Jake Peavy
Saturday
? Paul Konerko: .375 AVG (12-for-32) since ’05 vs. Cubs starter Carlos Silva
? Ryan Zimmerman: .444 AVG (4-for-9) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Brad Bergesen
? Yunel Escobar: .455 AVG (5-for-11) lifetime vs. Tigers starter Max Scherzer
Sunday
? Ian Kinsler: .462 AVG (6-for-13) lifetime vs. Astros starter Roy Oswalt
? Aaron Hill: .435 AVG (10-for-23) lifetime vs. Phillies starter Jaime Moyer
? Shin-Soo Choo: .444 AVG (4-for-9) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo
Feeling kinda spicy?
Friday
? Aaron Rowand: .647 AVG (5-for-17) lifetime vs. Red Sox starter Tim Wakefield
Saturday
? Corey Patterson: .407 AVG (11-for-27) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez
Sunday
? Travis Hafner: .538 AVG (7-for-13) lifetime vs. Reds starter Bronson Arroyo
You’ll thank me later ...
Friday
? Josh Hamilton: .100 AVG (1-for-10) lifetime vs. Astros starter Brian Moehler
? Alex Rodriguez: .167 AVG (2-for-12) lifetime vs. Dodgers starter Vicente Padilla
Saturday
? Hanley Ramirez: .182 AVG (2-for-11) since ’05 vs. Padres starter Jon Garland
? Nick Markakis: .100 AVG (1-for-10) lifetime vs. Nationals starter Livan Hernandez
Sunday
? Marlon Byrd: .083 AVG (1-for-12) lifetime vs. White Sox starter John Danks
? Ryan Zimmerman: .091 AVG (1-for-11) lifetime vs. Orioles starter Jeremy Guthrie
Leaderboard time!
Our second-place stallion, “kbarr9”, pressed the pause button on a
37-game streak by questionably selecting Joe Mauer, who not-so
shockingly didn’t play because it was a day game after a night game and
the whole Mauer is a catcher and the Twins don’t want to go Enron on
their $184 million investment in year one.
Is it possible “kbarr9” pulled an Algeria, playing for a tie
while under the pressure of a must-win situation with Dick George
distancing himself with a big lead?
The weekend will tell us a lot.
Top MLB streakers
? Jose Guillen: 18 games
? Josh Hamilton: 18 games
? Corey Hart: 9 games
? Miguel Montero: 9 games
Four tied with eight-game streaks.
Beat the Streak Report 