Kershaw, Arrieta could both be special Thursday

Duo could be joined by Orioles' Davis, Royals' Hosmer as stars of day

April 20th, 2016

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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Thursday.
Adrian Gonzalez: Gonzalez has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .902 OPS (.771 vs. lefties). From the heart of the lineup, the first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he faces Braves right-hander Matt Wisler (career 4.70 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
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Joc Pederson: The outfielder has produced notable career splits, with a .782 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .654 mark vs. lefties. Pederson could have an outstanding game when he faces the righty Wisler (career 4.95 FIP) and an unsettled Braves bullpen that ranks 22nd in baseball with a 4.67 ERA.

Justin Turner: The third baseman -- who has hit .308 since joining the Dodgers at the outset of 2014 -- could excel when he brings his lifetime .795 OPS against right-handers (.711 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Wisler and a suspect Braves relief corps.
Corey Seager: Since making his big league debut on Sept. 3, 2015, Seager has registered an impressive .323/.380/.515 slash line against right-handers. The shortstop could thrive against Wisler, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters to post an .970 OPS (.653 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Chris Davis: With 131 homers and 337 RBIs since the outset of 2013, Davis has emerged as arguably the top power hitter in baseball. The first baseman could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .879 OPS against right-handers (.736 vs. lefties) into a home matchup with Blue Jays fly-ball-prone hurler Marco Estrada (career 1.3 HR/9 rate). Also of note: Camden Yards is among the most favorable parks in baseball for left-handed sluggers.

Jonathan Schoop: With 18 homers across 347 at-bats since the outset of 2015, the second baseman has emerged as one of the best power hitters at his premium position. Schoop could put a ball into the outfield seats when he hits at home against the right-handed Estrada.
Scooter Gennett: The second baseman owns some of the most lopsided splits in baseball, with an .803 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .353 mark vs. lefties. Gennett could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Twins righty Ricky Nolasco (career 4.53 ERA, 1.32 WHIP).
Adam Eaton: From his perch atop the lineup, Eaton could reach base often and score multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Angels right-hander Jered Weaver (4.62 ERA since the outset of 2015). In his career, Eaton has posted a .783 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .710 mark vs. lefties.
Michael Saunders: Recently inserted into the leadoff spot, Saunders could spark a powerful Blue Jays lineup when he brings his lifetime .704 OPS against right-handers (.645 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Orioles righty Chris Tillman (career 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP).
Eric Hosmer: As a big leaguer, Hosmer has logged an .801 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .690 mark vs. lefties. Hitting out of the cleanup spot, the first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he faces Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey (career 4.53 ERA, 1.49 WHIP).
Jason Castro: The catcher owns pronounced career splits, with a .749 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .543 mark vs. lefties. Castro could provide production at a premium position on Thursday, when he faces Rangers right-hander A.J. Griffin (career 4.32 FIP).
Colby Rasmus: With 28 homers since the outset of 2015, the outfielder has quietly become one of the more powerful outfielders in the Junior Circuit. Rasmus could go deep when he brings his lifetime .790 OPS against right-handers (.674 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the righty Griffin at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Craig Gentry: Gentry has traditionally done his best work vs. left-handers, against whom he has produced a lifetime .711 OPS (.627 vs. righties). The outfielder could reach base often or score multiple runs when he faces southpaw John Danks (career 4.36 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field.
Albert Pujols: With a lifetime .314/.404/.601 slash line against southpaws, Pujols have proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The first baseman could post a notable total in DraftKings contests when he faces the lefty Danks (4.71 ERA, 1.41 WHIP in 2015) at Chicago's offense-inducing venue.
Clayton Kershaw: With a 1.91 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a 10.4 K/9 rate since the outset of 2013, the left-hander is the consensus choice as the most dominant pitcher in baseball. Kershaw could post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .475 OPS against southpaws.
Jake Arrieta: Having produced a 2.21 ERA and a 0.93 WHIP since joining the Cubs during the 2013 season, Arrieta is among the most effective starters in the Senior Circuit. He could compile six-plus innings, a notable strikeout total and a win when he leads a talented Cubs team into a matchup with the Reds.

Gerrit Cole: By logging a 2.60 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP in 2015, Cole established himself as one of the most dominant starters in baseball. The right-hander will be primed to post an impactful total in DraftKings contests when he works at pitcher-friendly Petco Park against a Padres lineup that ranks 29th in baseball with a .585 OPS against right-handers.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.