Harper set to open weekend with HR No. 9

Rizzo, Fernandez could join reigning NL MVP among Saturday's stars

April 22nd, 2016

Welcome to DraftKings fantasy baseball, the Official Daily Fantasy Game of Major League Baseball.
The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Adrian Gonzalez: From his cleanup spot, the first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he travels to hitter-friendly Coors Field to face right-hander Tyler Chatwood (career 4.26 ERA). Gonzalez has traditionally fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .902 OPS (.773 vs. lefties).
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Joc Pederson: The outfielder has logged notable career splits, with a .781 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .649 mark vs. lefties. Pederson could rip a round-tripper when he travels to offense-inducing Coors Field to face Chatwood (career 1.53 WHIP) and a Rockies bullpen that ranks 29th in the Majors with a 6.26 ERA.

Justin Turner: The third baseman -- who has hit .309 since joining the Dodgers at the outset of 2014 -- could have a terrific game when he brings his lifetime .794 OPS against right-handers (.711 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Chatwood (career 4.54 FIP) at Colorado's homer-happy venue.
Corey Seager: Since making his big league debut on Sept. 3, 2015, Seager has registered an impressive .302/.362/.481 slash line against right-handers. The shortstop could provide stellar production at a premium position when he faces Chatwood and a suspect Rockies relief corps.
Scooter Gennett: The second baseman has produced some of the most lopsided lifetime splits in baseball, with an .800 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .353 mark vs. lefties. Gennett could reach base often or score multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against right-hander Charlie Morton (career 4.53 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) and a Phillies bullpen ranks 27th in the Majors with a 5.33 ERA.
Bryce Harper: With a .329/.455/.667 slash line since the outset of 2015, Harper is arguably the most dangerous hitter in baseball. The outfielder could produce a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he faces Twins right-hander Phil Hughes (career 4.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP, 1.2 HR/9 rate).

Addison Russell: Since making his Major League debut on April 21, 2015, Russell has logged a .736 OPS against right-handers that notably exceeds his .504 mark vs. lefties. The shortstop could have an outstanding game when he travels to hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park to face right-hander Dan Straily (career 4.56 ERA).
Anthony Rizzo: From the heart of a loaded Cubs lineup, Rizzo will be in excellent position to excel when he brings his lifetime .267/.363/.490 slash line against right-handers into a matchup at Cincy's offense-inducing venue with the righty Straily (career 1.30 WHIP). The first baseman could also thrive late in the game against a Reds relief corps that ranks last in the Majors with a 6.75 ERA.
Jason Heyward: Heyward has long fared best vs. righties (.833 lifetime OPS) such as Straily, the owner of a career 4.71 FIP and a .750 OPS allowed to left-handed hitters (.680 OPS allowed to righty batters). Given his .179 average to start the season, the outfielder may come with an affordable DraftKings price tag.
Miguel Montero: With a lifetime .792 OPS against right-handers that notably exceeds his .657 mark vs. lefties, Montero will be poised to provide production at a premium position when he bats at the Cincinnati's offense-inducing park against the right-handed Straily and a shaky Reds relief corps.
Jean Segura: From his perch atop the lineup, Segura could reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his balanced lifetime splits into a matchup with right-hander Juan Nicasio (career 4.87 ERA, 1.47 WHIP). The speedy shortstop may also swipe a base against Francisco Cervelli, who allowed more steals than any other catcher in 2015.

David Peralta: As a big leaguer, Peralta has logged an .895 OPS against right-handers that greatly exceeds his .591 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder could thrive against Nicasio, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Peralta to post an .836 OPS (.758 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Jose Fernandez: With a lifetime 2.47 ERA, 1.02 WHIP and 10.7 K/9 rate, Fernandez is arguably the most talented hurler on the Saturday docket. The right-hander could post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he faces the Giants at pitcher-friendly AT&T Park.

Michael Wacha: The right-hander will be in position to spin a gem when he brings his lifetime 3.19 ERA into a matchup with the Padres at pitcher-friendly Petco Park on Friday. Of note: San Diego ranks 29th in the Majors with .557 OPS against righties.
John Lackey: The right-hander -- who owns a 2.84 ERA since the outset of 2015 -- could combine six-plus effective innings with a win when he leads a talented Cubs team into a seemingly advantageous matchup with the Reds' Straily. Also of note: Cincinnati ranks 26th in the Majors with a .645 OPS against right-handed pitching.
Steven Matz: With a 3.25 ERA and an 8.9 K/9 rate since making his big league debut on June 28, 2015, the left-hander could post a substantial total in DraftKings contests when he travels to pitcher-friendly Turner Field to face a Braves lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .503 OPS against southpaws.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.