BTS leader 10 picks away from $5.6M

[KingEleven]

When Red Sox shortstop Xander Bogaerts came to the plate in the seventh inning Thursday, a 63-year-old fan in Arizona was rooting for him as hard as anybody at Fenway Park.
Just as the Red Sox did, Terry Sims needed a base hit from Bogaerts, his chosen player for the day in Beat the Streak. Sure enough, Bogaerts came through with an infield single in what could have been his final at-bat of the game, later adding a walk-off single in the 10th to beat the White Sox.


• Play Beat the Streak. Win $5.6 million.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);"> <figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 611px; background: url("http://ui.bamstatic.com/mlbv2/sections/news2/images/caption-bg.png") 0px 0px repeat;">Bogaerts' walk-off singleXander Bogaerts sends the Red Sox fans home happy in the bottom of the 10th with a walk-off single that scores Mookie Betts for the 8-7 win
</figcaption></figure>And with that, Sims is now tied for the longest streak of the season at 47 games, just two behind the all-time best and 10 picks away from the game's $5.6 million grand prize. To beat the streak, one must make 57 straight successful selections to surpassJoe DiMaggio's magical 56-game run from 1941.
With a little bit of skill and a touch of luck, the former D-backs season-ticket holder has accomplished something astounding.
"I am not your typical baseball nerd; can't recite stats like some guys can," Sims said.
"Had season tickets to the D-backs when we lived in Phoenix. Got to see them win a World Series in the seventh game. This [streak] feels similar."
If Sims pulls off a streak of 57, he'll have the late-game efforts of Bogaerts to thank for keeping the streak alive.
"This is crazy! Don't know how many thousands [of people have played] BTS this year, but to be on top is amazing," Sims said.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);"> <figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 611px; background: url("http://ui.bamstatic.com/mlbv2/sections/news2/images/caption-bg.png") 0px 0px repeat;">Zinkie on stash possibilitiesMLB.com fantasy writer Fred Zinkie discusses potential young prospects to pick up and stash away
</figcaption></figure>The infield single by Bogaerts was a bit of a close call -- White Sox third basemanTodd Frazier fielded his slow grounder near the bag, and the throw went wide as Bogaerts reached safely. Then Bogaerts made his second hit of the day really count, dropping a single into short center for the win in the 10th.
Sims went with Bogaerts for good reason, as the 23-year-old shortstop entered play with more hits than anyone in the game. Meanwhile, the starting pitcher he faced --James Shields -- had allowed opponents to bat .485 from May 31-June 18.
Bogaerts did not come through against Shields, though, going 0-for-3 to open the matinee. Still, Bogaerts got the hit Sims needed in the seventh, managing an infield single.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);"> <figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 611px; background: url("http://ui.bamstatic.com/mlbv2/sections/news2/images/caption-bg.png") 0px 0px repeat;">Zinkie on waiver wire optionsMLB.com's fantasy baseball writer Fred Zinkie shares his latest waiver wire picks, including Tim Anderson, Ezequiel Carrera and Blake Snell
</figcaption></figure>"Just liked [Bogaerts] against Shields, that didn't work, but he got a cheapy late in the game."
Bogaerts has been a recurring theme in Sims' ascent, extending the leader's run most recently at 40, 46 (Wednesday night) and, of course, 47.
Now that he's tied with Ken Gilman for the longest run of the year, Sims does not have many to leapfrog up BTS' Mount Rushmore. The others with comparable success in the contest's 15-plus year history are Mike Karatzia (49 games in 2007), Bob Paradise (48 in '08), Steve Summer (48 in '11) and William Bryan (47 in '13).
While Sims told MLB.com that this is the first time he has enjoyed a streak longer than 20 in four or five years of playing BTS, it's now easier than ever for players to chase down DiMaggio. For example, users have the option of employing the "Double Down" feature. Double Down allows fans to advance their streak by two games, but only if both of their picks get a hit. If one goes hitless, the streak ends.
<figure class="poster has-video " style="margin: 26px 0px 0px; padding: 0px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; font-family: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; text-align: center; overflow: hidden; max-height: 600px; position: relative; background: rgb(238, 238, 238);"> <figcaption class="meta-data video" style="margin: 0px; padding: 15px 20px; border: 0px; font-style: inherit; font-variant: inherit; font-weight: inherit; font-stretch: inherit; font-size: inherit; line-height: inherit; vertical-align: baseline; position: absolute; bottom: 0px; text-align: left; color: rgb(255, 255, 255); min-height: 54px; box-sizing: border-box; width: 611px; background: url("http://ui.bamstatic.com/mlbv2/sections/news2/images/caption-bg.png") 0px 0px repeat;">Zinkie on two-start pitchersMLB.com fantasy writer Fred Zinkie discusses potential two-start pitching options for fantasy owners
</figcaption></figure>Additionally, BTS research filters such as batting-order position, right- or left-handed pitchers and cold opposing pitchers are at fans' disposal to help make their decisions. They can also take days off between selections if they don't find ideal matchups -- just as long as they exceed 56 by season's end.
Should Sims string together 57 consecutive correct picks, he would be the first player to claim the grand prize. Whenever a season goes by without a winner, a $10,000 consolation is awarded to those atop the calendar year's leaderboard. Additionally, the BTS game makers hand out millions of other prizes for streaks as small as five.
It would be especially fitting if Sims or another BTS user could break the BTS drought this year. After all, it's the 75th anniversary of DiMaggio's remarkable streak, which is being commemorated with daily recaps on MLB.com and @TheStreak on Twitter.

 

[viking611]

he had Eric Hosmer tonight. Went 1-4

 

[KingEleven]

he's getting close!

 

[KingEleven]

He had Jose Altuve last night, whom doubled in the first inning! He is now up to 49 consecutive games which ties the all time record.

 

[IMISREMEMBER]

I will mush him. No way he beats streak now.

 

[KingEleven]

No word on today's selection?

 

[IMISREMEMBER]

Told you guys , I am true Rx mush.

 

[KingEleven]

[h=1]Record-tying BTS run ends at 49 games[/h][h=2]Injury to Rockies second baseman LeMahieu concludes streak[/h]
Terry Sims was just eight picks away from $5.6 million, but bad luck on Sunday ended his record-tying 49-game run in MLB.com's Beat the Streak contest.
Sims chose Rockies second baseman DJ LeMahieu, who went 0-for-1 with two walks against the D-backs at Coors Field before exiting the game in the sixth with an apparent injury. On top of that, the only time LeMahieu put the ball in play against left-hander Patrick Corbin was on a groundout to Sims' favorite player as a former D-backs season-ticket holder, first baseman Paul Goldschmidt.


"Hope LeMahieu is OK," Sims told MLB.com after the streak ended. "I thought he might get a couple more at-bats, but that is usually how streaks get busted, something quirky."
LeMahieu was a solid choice before getting hurt -- he was batting .400 (10-for-25) against Corbin entering the game, with two triples and two home runs. He had also been batting .403 over his previous 18 contests.
Sims isn't the first BTS player to see a long streak come to an end due to bad luck -- in 2008, Bob Paradise saw his 48-game streak snapped when his pick for the day, Ichiro Suzuki, was hit by a pitch from Kenny Rogers during his final at-bat of the game. In 2007, a user who never revealed their real name lost a streak of 44 games when Derek Jeter didn't start and only got one pinch-hit at-bat in the game.
On Saturday, Sims tied the all-time BTS record of 49 games when Astros second basemanJose Altuve doubled in the first inning against the Royals in Kansas City. "He didn't pass me -- I'm still the champ!" Mike Karatzia, who is the all-time BTS co-leader with a 49-game streak in 2007, told MLB.com after Sims' streak was snapped.
"I actually feel terrible for him," Karatzia said. "[$5.6 million] is a lot of money and to lose your streak on an injury is a tough pill to swallow. I know what he's feeling now, going so far and not beating the streak. It's a pretty bad day, the day you get knocked out."
Sims, a 63-year-old Arizonian, told MLB.com that this was the first time he had enjoyed a streak longer than 20 in four or five years of playing BTS.
"Never ever wanted to be famous," Sims said. "And you can't imagine all the grief my golfing buddies at Antelope Hills have been giving me, but deep down they all were rooting for me, and for that I really want to thank them."
It's now easier than ever for players to chase down Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak. For example, users have the option of employing the "Double Down" feature. Double Down allows fans to advance their streak by two games, but only if both of their picks get a hit. If one goes hitless, the streak ends.
Additionally, BTS research filters such as batting-order position, right- or left-handed pitchers and cold opposing pitchers are at fans' disposal to help them make decisions. They can also take days off between selections if they don't find ideal matchups.
Whenever a season goes by without a winner, a $10,000 consolation is awarded to those atop the calendar year's leaderboard. Additionally, the BTS game-makers hand out millions of other prizes for streaks as small as five.
"As far as the $10K goes, if it happens, that would be great," said Sims. "Going to get up tomorrow and make a few picks before I go to work."
It would be especially fitting if a BTS user broke the BTS drought this year. After all, it's the 75th anniversary of DiMaggio's remarkable streak, which is being commemorated with daily recaps on MLB.com and @TheStreak on Twitter.