Arenado could hit the mark vs. LA's Anderson
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Nolan Arenado (Rockies): In his career, the third baseman has fared best when facing left-handers (.292/.352/.497 slash line) and when batting at his offense-inducing home park (.307/.347/.552 line). Arenado -- who has 39 homers and 117 RBIs across 583 at-bats this season -- could display his power when he bats at Coors Field against Dodgers southpaw Brett Anderson (career 1.30 WHIP).
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DJ LeMahieu (Rockies): Hitting .302 with 23 steals and 80 runs across 593 plate appearances, the second baseman is enjoying the best season of his career. With balanced career splits and a lifetime .776 OPS at Coors Field (.617 on the road), LeMahieu could succeed against Anderson (1.33 WHIP in 2015).
Alex Rodriguez (Yankees): The slugger will be poised to improve on his lofty lifetime .287/.388/.549 slash line against left-handers when he bats at homer-happy Yankee Stadium against southpaw John Danks (4.59 ERA, 1.37 WHIP in 2015). Also of note: Rodriguez and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a White Sox squad that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .674 defensive efficiency ratio.
Chris Young (Yankees): The outfielder has produced pronounced career splits, with an .835 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .704 mark vs. righties. Young could be a cost-effective outfielder in DraftKings contests when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Danks (lifetime 4.32 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).
David Wright (Mets): With a lifetime .341/.433/.574 slash line against left-handers, the third baseman has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. Wright could have a great game when he bats at offense-inducing Great American Ball Park against rookie southpaw John Lamb (4.60 ERA, 1.49 WHIP).
Wilmer Flores (Mets): This season, the shortstop has posted a .965 OPS against left-handers, in comparison to a .640 mark vs. righties. Flores could be part of a Mets stack -- with Wright and outfielders Yoenis Cespedes and Juan Lagares -- against Lamb.
Eric Hosmer (Royals): As a big leaguer, the first baseman has produced an .802 OPS against right-handers, in comparison to a .687 mark vs. lefties. Hosmer could rip a round-tripper when he faces Indians righty Josh Tomlin, who owns a lifetime 1.4 HR/9 rate.
Kendrys Morales (Royals): Morales -- who is tied for third in the Junior Circuit with 105 RBIs -- could put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs when he faces the homer-prone Tomlin (1.8 HR/9 rate in 2015). In his career, Morales has registered an .822 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .730 mark vs. lefties.
Jason Heyward (Cardinals): Hitting .290 with 12 homers and 23 steals across 582 plate appearances, the outfielder has contributed to 2015 DraftKings squads in multiple ways. Heyward could drive in multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .838 OPS against right-handers (.657 vs. lefties) to the test against Brewers righty Tyler Wagner, who will be making his second career start.
Kolten Wong (Cardinals): This season, the second baseman has posted a .783 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .542 mark vs. lefties. With 11 homers and 15 steals across 589 plate appearances in 2015, Wong has the skills to contribute in multiple ways when he faces the inexperienced Wagner (12.27 ERA, 2.73 WHIP).
Matt Carpenter (Cardinals): From his premium lineup spot, the third baseman will be set to excel when he brings his lifetime .844 OPS against right-handers (.774 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Wagner. The right-handed hurler may struggle with a veteran Cardinals lineup, as he has not made a Minor League appearance past the Double-A level.
Adrian Gonzalez (Dodgers): The first baseman will be primed to improve on his lofty lifetime .298/.375/.529 slash line against right-handers when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park against faces righty Kyle Kendrick (6.37 ERA, 1.53 WHIP in 2015) at homer-happy Coors Field. Also of note: Gonzalez and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .670 defensive efficiency ratio.
Andre Ethier (Dodgers): Ether has produced pronounced career splits, with an .888 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .635 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder could drive in multiple runs when he faces Kendrick (career 4.62 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) at Colorado's hitter-friendly venue. He could also excel late in the game against a Rockies relief corps that ranks last in the Majors with a 4.77 ERA.
Stephen Strasburg (Nationals): With a 37-to-3 strikeout-to-walk ratio across his past three starts, the right-hander is one of the hottest pitchers in baseball. Strasburg will be set to spin a gem when he works at home against a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .674 OPS against righties.
Justin Nicolino (Marlins): With a 4.50 ERA, the rookie left-hander could be an economical second starter in DraftKings contests when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Braves. Atlanta ranks last in the Majors in both OPS against lefties (.645) and home runs (91).
Julio Teheran (Braves): DraftKings participants who do not select Nicolino may instead opt for his mound opponent. With a 3.22 ERA across his past 10 starts, Teheran has reversed course after a slow start to the season. The right-hander could deliver a stellar outing when he works at pitcher-friendly Marlins Park against a Miami lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .672 OPS against righties.
Jaime Garcia (Cardinals): With a 2.45 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP on the year, the left-hander has been a cost-effective starter in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Garcia could hold the opposition in check when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Brewers lineup that sits 23rd in baseball with a .685 OPS against southpaws.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.