Chicago White Sox @ Los Angeles Angels (Keuchel vs Heaney)

The Chicago White Sox have seemed to turn things around as of late in the past few years. With the progression of Tim Anderson in their farm system he has grown to win the AL Batting Title in 2019 and the Silver Slugger Award in 2020. With other known players like Grandal and Hamilton on the team, this team can definitely grow into a contender down the road sooner rather than later. The LA Angels have been floating in the nether ever season with stars of the likes of Trout and Ohtani. Can they turn it around this year? Possibly, bu the jury is still out to find out, their pitching has been less than consistent. This should be a great matchup to watch.

CWS: Anderson, Hamilton, Abreu

LAA: Pujos, Rendon, Trout, Fowler

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Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Diego Padres (Kelly vs Snell)

Snell is making his new team debut against a hard throwing Merrill Kelly who was a surprising player coming from the Korean baseball league. This should be a pitching duel but should break to the side of the Padres since the all star power hitters on their team can withstand any tricks that Kelly will deal. Look for Hosmer go yard as his hot start gets even hotter.

ARI: Walker, Ahmed, Rojas

SD: Hosmer, Myers, Tatis Jr, Cronenworth, Caratini

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Updated Results:

Hits: Anderson, Abreu, Pujos, Trout, Fowler, Hosmer, Myers, Cronenworth, (8)

No Hits: Rendon, Walker, Rojas, Tatis Jr (4)

Beat the Streak is officially back and in full swing for opening day today! As always with the first day of things there will be things to work out and questions that have to be answered like “Just how bad are certain teams going to be?” “Can the Dodgers repeat?” We’ll elect to take the picks easy today as we get a more clearer picture into who can come out as dominant teams over the weaker and scrappy teams.

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LA Dodgers @ Colorado Rockies (Clayton Kershaw vs German Marquez)

The “all-star” line up of the Dodgers start their season in the cold Colorado mountain side with a new look Rockies. Baseballs love to fly in mile high so were opting in to pick from this game. Look for the Dodgers beat up on the Rockies with the Vegas line of -213 favoring the boys of blue and an O/U of 13 which should be no stranger to getting that home plate dirty.

LA Dodgers:

Bellinger, Betts, Turner

Colorado Rockies:

Tapia, Story

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Arizona Diamondbacks @ San Diego Padres (Bumgarner vs Darvish)

The Arizona Diamondbacks are opening up their 2021 season in Southern California after a surprising 2020 season in which they bucked projections of them being a bottom feeder team. This year might look different for the Diamondbacks and could take a while for them to come together chemistry wise as a team. On the opposite side of the diamond are the red hot “somewhat-young” Padres who were gunning to take down the Dodgers last season but ran out of runway and ultimately came up short. The Padres made some big moves to cement their contender status in the off-season by adding Yu Darvish and Blake Snell. Look for the Padres to come out swinging at everything to take down the D-backs.

Arizona Diamondbacks:

Marte, Peralta

San Diego Padres:

Tatis Jr, Machado, Myers, Hosmer

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Pittsburgh Pirates @ Chicago Cubs (Kuhl vs Hendricks)

What can I say, the Pirates are going to need some major help this season to stay relevant. The jokes and memes made in the off season about them being the worst team in the MLB could come true. Although it’s tough to judge a book by its cover, we’re going to go with the Cubs on this match up here until the Pirates can change my mind. It’ll be refreshing to watch this close rivalry go at it. We expect a close defensive game but opportunities to get a few hits.

Pittsburgh Pirates:

Moran, Newman

Chicago Cubs:

Contreras, Baez, Bryant

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Updated Results:

Hits: Bellinger, Betts, Turner, Tapia, Story, Marte, Tatis Jr, Myers, Hosmer, Newman (10)

No Hits: Peralta, Machado, Moran, Contreras, Baez, Bryant (6)

After a year without beating the streak during the covid pandemic in 2020, it looks like Beat the Streak is back for official play! According to the official MLB.com website a banner on the website reads “Beat the Streak is back for the 2021 regular season! April 1 is fast approaching, so check back in as Opening Day approaches to make your first picks.”

This is very exciting news as we will begin to ramp up for the 2021 season as things tend to get back to some type of normalcy. I do expect a few hiccups that might effect how the game might be played so it will be interesting to see how the MLB.com folks will handle this game going forward. Many events have happened in the past season and even in the offseason as we will be sure to stay on top of it as it we begin to remain active more than ever for the 2021 season.

Well that was bad… my picks fell flat on their face for yesterday. The Braves 1-3 in their lineup went hitless but still managed to squeeze out a 2-1 win over the Rays. It’s hard to predict how things will go at the start of the season, especially now since the virus has thrown a wrench into the scene. We will hopefully get back up to 50% here soon, maybe I should go for some easy pickings against some teams with horrid pitching like the Orioles, Tigers, and Marlins (after COVID postponements).

COVID has also postponed another matchup today between the Cardinals and the Brewers so that game is out, and the make up will be called soon, some proposed a quick doubleheader style matchup with shorter innings in the games, in the future we will not be picking from shortened games.

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Pirates @ Cubs

I tend to not pick on the Pirates as much as I should but I guess now I should start doing so more. As a franchise they have been a disappointment for at least 20 years with their stars getting burnt out and leaving for sunnier skies. Their pitching is abysmal which should prove its point in today’s matchup. Darvish is either hot or not on the mound so I would be weary starting some Pirate offense here.

Pit: Frazier, Bell

CHC: Bryant, Rizzo, Heyward, Happ

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Red Sox @ Yankees

Yankees are looking very good lately with the all star line up they have and incredible depth to outweigh even COVID delays or injuries. The iconic rivalry takes on a new form without fans in the stands, will these guys behave or will we see benches clear and suspensions be handed out that hampers the teams seasons?

BOS: Pillar, Bogaerts, Benintendi

NYY: Wade, Sanchez, Torres, Judge, LaMahieu, Voit

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Athletics @ Mariners

We are picking on the Mariners again here. Athletics are a -200 here so we will be leaning heavily into this matchup and easily bet the Athletics win here. Over/Under is currently at 9 which might go over so I am willing to bet Mariners will have to score a few runs but not enough to outlast the onslaught coming from the Athletics.

OAK: Canha, Laureano, Piscotty, Olson

SEA: Crawford, Long Jr, Lewis

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Updated Results:

Hits: Frazier, Bell, Bryant, Rizzo, Hayward, Happ, Pillar, Bogaerts, Torres, Judge, LaMahieu, Laureano, Piscotty, Crawford, Long Jr, Lewis. (16)

No Hits: Voit, Canna, Olson. (3)

No AB’s/NIL: Benintendi, Wade, Sanchez. (3)

Welcome back everyone, we are officially reviving this blog from what looked like a forgone season earlier this year. So far we have gotten about 5 or so games down. There are some advantages and disadvantages to the shortened season. The good is that we get to see almost every team play every day. The bad is that we get to see almost every team play every day. So many games, not enough time to watch them all live.

Officially there is no MLB Beat The Streak game but I have chosen to keep the tradition alive by still offering picks for hits during this season. You might want to play along at home for fun as well just to see how well you could have done this year.

Seattle Mariners vs LA Angels

Well Seattle is going through a tough process right now with a team that is trying to find themselves. Just a year ago they had such a hot start in the season and talks were on about them in the playoff but that was quickly derailed as the league quickly demoralized their campaign. It’s going to be tough sledding for them this year as they get the real tests first as they face the Angels multiple times to start off their season. Angels added huge fire power in their offseason by signing on Rendon and they still have sluggers like Pujos that can hit but can’t run. Look for the Angels to take a bite out of their pitching this series.

SEA: Gordon, Seager

LAA: Pujos, Trout, Rendon, Ohtani

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Tampa Bay Rays vs Atlanta Braves

I actually really love this matchup here. Both teams can pitch and hit collectively which creates a nice balance. Tampa Bay is an up and coming team with prospects that propel their team while the Braves have a littler older prospects that are showcasing their skills on the major level. Look for some good hits this game as we get a feel for this season.

TB: Wendle, Diaz, Lowe

ATL: Freeman, Olbies, Acuna, Inciarte

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Kansas City Royals vs Detroit Tigers

Well did you hear the news? Pat Mahomes is now a part owner of the KC Royals. Could this mean that he might step up in the batters box someday? Possibly, but we aren’t holding our breath. KC is still bolstering a decent lineup against a pitiful Detroit team that can’t seem to stay in the lead most times, although they have a winning record six games in so far. This game should be a sloppy mess out there with both teams poking hits.

KC: Merrifield, Gordon, Soler

DET: Goodrum, Cron

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Updated Results

Hits: Ohtani, Lowe, Gordon, Soler. (4)

No Hits: Seager, Pujos, Rendon, Wendle, Diaz, Freeman, Olbies, Acuna, Merrifield, Goodrum, Cron. (11)

No AB’s/NIL: Gordon, Trout, Inciarte. (3)

No one could have predicted the tumultuous year that would turn out to be 2020 so far. As far as the sports world goes, we have had many other sports league pause their seasons for a very long time with doubt and uncertainty lingering in the air. For the first time since World War 2, sports have taken the backseat while people from across the world brace for what would be a pandemic that very quickly swept the nation. MLB, like other sports leagues knew that it was still important for them to play even though fans couldn’t come to the game. It just gives people something to look forward to and to cheer on in these excruciating hard times that we currently live in.

Now that a few games have been played, it seems like the MLB could make do with their planned “60 game” shortened season even with some hiccups with “non-bubble” type events like the majority of the Marlins team catching the virus and causing delays for other teams that were meant to play them. Even last night we saw minor scuffles happen between the Astros and Dodgers that put the two teams closer than the CDC recommended “6 feet” recommended rule. Between the pumped in noise, the odd cut out of fans behind the home plate, and the lack of physical celebration baseball is indeed back in (modified) business.

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Happy new year visitors and guests! We are just over the half way point where we get some baseball action in spring training. 2019 was a monstorus season involving a team first World Series championship in the nation’s capital. Jomboy Media uncovered a report where the Astros appeared to be cheating in prior seasons and playoffs, and of course we unwraveled here that the baseball has been altered at some point in spring training 2019 and was used to boost performance in 2019. Major signings and new faces in both leagues and many questions to be discovered this season, stay tuned and welcome to 2020!

As always we will be strictly focused on relating to MLB’s game Beat The Streak and giving insight and predictions on who YOU should pick!

White Sox @ Twins (Nova vs Gibson)

White Sox are playing spoiler this time of year with a good chance to put a dent in the Twins dominance this year. Twins aren’t going to take any chances of an early wild card exit this postseason so they are going to play well tonight against the White Sox. The main difference between these two teams is the offense. Twins are still red hot at the plate and have a next man up mindset with Jake Cave. White Sox need a shake up but should be able to win a few games before the season is over this year.

CHW: Anderson, Abreu, McCann, Sanchez

MIN: Cave, Polanco, Cron, Castro

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Rockies @ Diamondbacks (Gonzalez vs Gallen)

It’s a stretch to count any of these western teams to be in the Wild Card slot(s). Diamondbacks surprisingly have a decent chance to get there with a little bit of luck. Rockies have a tough hill to climb and there must hope that contending teams fall short in some crucial conference games. Diamondbacks should be able to win this one at home with the fans on their side. Diamondbacks have been surprising this season with a “rebuild” going on but still able to add depth like Adam Jones which looks to add power and consistency for this team.

COL: Blackmon, Tapia, Story

ARI: Dyson, Peralta, Marte, Escobar

Its been awhile fans, the season is winding down and the outlooks on the postseason is starting to take shape. After I had previously predicted the Angels might squeeze into the playoff picture it is looking far less likely now. It’s going to be extremely hard for them to catch up after the Oakland A’s have been on a tear lately. Other questions are slowly being answered like NL Rookie of the Year. After the hotly contested debate about Tatis Jr. vs Alonso it looks like Alonso will win after Tatis Jr. has had a few hiccups with injuries and now looks like he is shut down for the season. Red Sox are a hot dumpster fire hading into the final month of the season and will probably look to make some moves to get some prospects. One of the marquee names might be Mookie Betts as he hasn’t been playing up to his contract lately and his numbers slumped compared to last year.

Dodgers @ Marlins (Buehler vs Smith)

Dodgers should be able to breeze by the Marlins in this travel game. Marlins need to look at themselves in the mirror after this season and evaluate what went wrong. On the bright side they do have Yamamoto who looks like a really good ace going forward.

LAD: Bellinger, Turner, Muncy, Verdugo

MIA: Castro, Riddle

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Mets @ Braves (Stroman vs Tehran)

Braves have been a surprise most of this season as they made no big splashes in the offseason while their opponents got stronger, primarily the Phillies by landing Bryce Harper. Looks like the patience has paid off for the Braves but they face a tough Mets team that has been blazing after the All-Star break. Mets will need to keep the momentum to catch up to the Nationals which are ahead of them.

ATL: Freeman, Albies, Acuna, Donaldson

NYM: Conforto, Alonso, Nido, Frazier

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Updated Results

Hits: Bellinger, Muncy, Castro, Freeman, Albies, Acuna, Donaldson, Conforto, Alonso. (9)

No Hits: Turner (1)

No AB’s/NIL: Verdugo, Riddle, Nido, Frazier

The tides are turning in a few divisional races. We can safely say for now that in the National League the Dodgers will own the NL West crown. Braves are likely to come out the victor with Phillies and Nationals and even the Mets are in play for the wild card scenario. With most of the scheduling and games remaining with gams played against the three teams if one doesn’t start a big streak soon the Braves can safely win the NL East. NL Central is still up for grabs for most teams except for the Pirates as they are seriously lagging behind and I can’t see them catching up. In the AL, Astros are looking really good with their newly acquired pitcher being part of a no hitter against the Mariners. Oakland is nipping on their heels but its no doubt for the Astros to continue their dominance over the division. AL Central has two teams eyeing the division, the long time leading Twins and the Indians gaining traction from the trade deadline. This race should extend all the way to the end of the season with a slight edge to the Indians winning the AL Central. Twins will have to notch the Wild Card and fight an uphill battle. AL East has seemingly kicked out the Red Sox after the Rays and now Yankees smoked them in the most recent series. They now face an improbable permutation on winning the AL East. Yankees have had pitching woes but it shouldn’t be much trouble as they are able to put up runs in a heartbeat.

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Marlins @ Mets (Dugger vs deGrom) GAME 1

Dugger finally gets the call to the majors today and looks to show case his 3.83 ERA from the minors. Unfortunately he faces off against the surging Mets who look to take an easy win from him today in game 1 of the double header. Miami is now calling it quits for this season and now giving their prospects a hard look going forward.

MIA: Castro, Alfaro

NYM: Alonso, Davis, Conforto, Frazier

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Angels @ Reds (Sandoval vs Castillo)

Both teams are trending downward and at this time both have a chance to make the postseason if they turn things around starting this series. Reds have a slim chance to win the division but the Angels could be a force as a wild card team with Trout and Ohtani in the lineup. Angels starting pitcher will make his starting debut so its hard to base this game on minor league stats but they should come out on top here. Maybe next year Reds fans?

LAA: Trout, Goodwin, Upton

CIN: Votto, Winker, Peraza

Updated Results

Hits: Castro, Alonso, Winker, Peraza, Votto, Trout (6)

No Hits: Alfaro, Davis, Conforto, Frazier, Upton (5)

No AB’s/NIL: Goodwin