Odds in Yoenis', Duda's favor vs. Gray
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Monday.
Yoenis Cespedes (Mets): Hitting .295 with 18 homers and 66 RBIs in 437 at-bats this season, Cespedes -- who has balanced career splits -- could drive in multiple runs against rookie righty Jon Gray. The outfielder may also excel late in the game against a Rockies bullpen that ranks 29th in baseball with a 4.52 ERA.
Lucas Duda (Mets): Batting .314 with nine homers in 51 at-bats since July 25, Duda is one of the hottest hitters in baseball. The first baseman could continue to rake when he brings his career .840 OPS against right-handers (.665 vs. lefties) into a matchup against the inexperienced Gray. Also of note: Duda and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .684 defensive efficiency ratio.
Curtis Granderson (Mets): In his career, the outfielder has handled right-handers to the tune of an .860 OPS (.691 vs. lefties). From his perch atop the lineup, Granderson -- who has compiled 19 homers and nine steals in 475 plate appearances this season -- has the skills to produce in multiple ways against Gray.
Salvador Perez (Royals): The catcher may improve on his lifetime .777 OPS against left-handers (.721 vs. righties) when he faces Tigers southpaw Matt Boyd (career 7.90 ERA, 1.68 WHIP). Perez may also excel late in the game against a Tigers bullpen that ranks 27th in baseball with a 4.21 ERA.
Lorenzo Cain (Royals): In his career, the outfielder has an .808 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .723 mark vs. righties. Cain -- who is hitting .307 with 11 homers, 70 runs and 20 steals in 413 plate appearances this season -- could produce in multiple ways against the inexperienced Boyd (13 2/3 career innings).
Ryan Howard (Phillies): The first baseman -- who has 16 homers and 53 RBIs in 285 at-bats against right-handers this season -- could drive in multiple runs when he faces D-backs righty Rubby De La Rosa (lifetime 4.43 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Chase Field. In his career, Howard has registered an impressive .284/.375/.569 slash line against righties.
Jake Lamb (D-backs): The third baseman -- who was a career .321 hitter in the Minors -- has a lifetime .745 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .568 mark vs. lefties. Lamb could drive in multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Phillies right-hander Aaron Harang (career 4.21 ERA, 1.36 WHIP).
J.J. Hardy (Orioles): With 93 homers since the outset of 2011, the shortstop is among the most powerful players at his premium position. Hardy could improve on his career .765 OPS against left-handers (.713 vs. righties) when he faces Mariners southpaw Vidal Nuno, who lasted 3 2/3 innings during his first start of the season, on Aug. 4.
Justin Upton (Padres): With 19 homers and 18 steals in 435 plate appearances, Upton has contributed to DraftKings squads in multiple ways this season. The outfielder could drive in multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .888 OPS against left-handers (.803 vs. righties) to the test against Reds southpaw David Holmberg. Upton could also swipe a bag against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted six of 51 would-be basestealers this season.
Derek Norris (Padres): The catcher has produced pronounced career splits, with an .832 OPS against left-handers compared with a .644 mark vs. righties. He could thrive against Holmberg (career 4.63 ERA) and a Reds bullpen that ranks 23rd in baseball with a 4.02 ERA.
Matt Kemp (Padres): Kemp has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has a career .933 OPS (.795 vs. righties). With 11 homers and nine steals in 465 plate appearances this season, Kemp has the skills to produce in multiple ways against Holmberg (career 1.46 WHIP), Pena and a mediocre Reds bullpen.
Joey Votto (Reds): The first baseman has used a patient approach to build an impressive career .317/.431/.549 slash line against right-handers. He could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he faces Padres righty Ian Kennedy (4.49 ERA in 2015).
Jay Bruce (Reds): With 131 homers since the outset of the 2011 season, the outfielder has established himself as one of the most powerful players in baseball. He could display his power and improve on his lifetime .817 OPS against right-handers (.728 vs. lefties) at the expense of Kennedy (2.0 HR/9 rate in 2015).
Jon Niese (Mets): Despite a season-to-date 1.33 WHIP, the left-hander has posted a respectable 3.51 ERA. He could continue to hold the opposition in check when he works at home against a Rockies lineup that ranks 26th in baseball with a .648 OPS against southpaws and 22nd in the Majors with a .680 OPS on the road.
Johnny Cueto (Royals): Cueto has a 2.52 ERA since the outset of the 2011 season, and he now works for a Royals squad that ranks third in the Majors with a .720 defensive efficiency ratio and second in baseball with a 2.33 bullpen ERA. The right-hander has the skills and support to succeed against the Tigers in a seemingly advantageous matchup vs. Boyd.
Hector Santiago (Angels): With a 2.78 ERA and 1.18 WHIP, the left-hander has been among the most improved pitchers this season. Santiago could continue to excel when he faces a White Sox lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .623 OPS against southpaws.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Sunday's games.