Mets bats could have stellar showing Sunday
Cole, Hendricks, Waino among best pitcher picks to click
Welcome to DraftKings fantasy baseball, the Official Daily Fantasy Game of Major League Baseball.
The players listed below are in position to provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Sunday.
Curtis Granderson: Hitting leadoff, Granderson could maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs when he brings his lifetime 129 wRC+ against right-handers (87 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Aníbal Sánchez (6.26 ERA, 1.63 WHIP in 2016) and a Tigers bullpen that ranks 22nd in baseball with a 4.14 ERA.
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Neil Walker: The second baseman has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .793 OPS (.683 vs. lefties). Walker could provide production at a premium position when he tangles with the right-handed Sanchez (5.48 ERA since the outset of 2015) and an unreliable Tigers bullpen.
Jay Bruce: As a big leaguer, the outfielder has registered a 115 wRC+ against right-handers that exceeds his 91 mark vs. lefties. Bruce could impress his new teammates by going deep or driving in multiple runs when he faces the right-handed Sanchez and a shaky Tigers bullpen.
Brad Miller: The shortstop owns notable lifetime splits, with a 115 wRC+ against right-handers in comparison to a 66 mark vs. lefties. Miller could provide production at a premium position when he faces righty Kyle Gibson (career 4.51 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.50 ERA.
Jake Lamb: In his breakout 2016 season, Lamb has posted an impressive 1.002 OPS against right-handers (.701 vs. lefties) and a 1.010 OPS at his hitter-friendly home park (.871 on the road). The third baseman could continue to rake when he hits at home against Brewers righty Jimmy Nelson (4.80 FIP, 1.45 WHIP in 2016), who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Lamb to post an .824 OPS (.650 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Scooter Gennett: The second baseman owns lopsided lifetime splits, with a 109 wRC+ against right-handers that exceeds his 29 mark vs. lefties. Gennett could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he faces righty Archie Bradley (career 5.06 ERA, 1.55 WHIP) and a D-backs bullpen that ranks 29th in baseball with a 5.03 ERA.
Kirk Nieuwenhuis: With 10 homers and eight steals across 294 plate appearances, the outfielder has been a cost-effective addition to many 2016 DraftKings squads. Niewenhuis could contribute in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .741 OPS against right-handers (.481 vs. lefties) into a matchup at hitter-friendly Chase Field against the right-handed Bradley (4.75 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 2016) and a D-backs squad that ranks last in baseball with a .666 defensive efficiency ratio.
Odúbel Herrera: Hitting .284 with 11 homers and 16 steals across 461 plate appearances this season, the outfielder possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings participants covet. Herrera has the plate skills to reach base often against Padres righty Jarred Cosart (career 4.25 FIP, 1.40 WHIP) and the speed to swipe a base against Derek Norris, who has allowed more steals than all but three catchers in 2016.
Willson Contreras: The rookie catcher will be in prime position to improve on his impressive .302/.362/.465 slash line against left-handers when he tangles with A's rookie southpaw Sean Manaea (4.68 ERA, 1.31 WHIP).
Javier Báez: Eligible at second base and third base in DraftKings contests, Baez could enter DraftKings lineups in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .206 ISO against left-handers (.140 vs. righties) into a matchup with the rookie southpaw Manaea.
Chris Davis: Hitting .125 since the All-Star break, the first baseman could have a reduced price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime .864 OPS against right-handers (.743 vs. lefties) into a matchup with White Sox fly-ball-prone righty James Shields (4.92 ERA, 1.4 HR/9 rate in 2016).
Albert Pujols: The first baseman could add to his impressive 2016 totals of 21 homers and 84 RBIs across 413 at-bats when he brings his lofty lifetime .316/.403/.603 slash line against left-handers into a matchup against Mariners southpaw James Paxton (career 1.30 WHIP).
Mike Trout: With a lifetime .287/.400/.518 slash line against left-handers, the outfielder has proven to be one of the best in baseball during those matchups. Hitting in front of Pujols, Trout could produce a substantial DraftKings total at the expense of the left-handed Paxton (1.39 WHIP in 2016).
Gerrit Cole: With a 2.64 ERA since the outset of 2015, the right-hander has become one of the most effective starters in the National League. Cole could continue to excel when he works at home against a Reds lineup that is tied for 20th in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.711) and 25th in OPS on the road (.683).
Kyle Hendricks: Ranking second in the Majors with a 2.22 ERA, the right-hander has been a major asset to many 2016 DraftKings squads. Hendricks could continue to limit the opposition when he works at pitcher-friendly Oakland Coliseum against an A's lineup that ranks 24th in the Majors with a .705 OPS against righties.
Adam Wainwright: With a 2.84 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP across his past 14 starts, the right-hander has returned to being a trusted member of many DraftKings squads. Wainwright has the skills to post a substantial DraftKings total when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Braves lineup that ranks last in baseball in ISO vs. righties (.118) and total home runs (66).
Jerad Eickhoff: With a lifetime 3.39 ERA, the second-year starter has already become a trusted option for DraftKings participants. Eickhoff could deliver a stellar start when he faces a Padres lineup that ranks 29th in baseball in OPS against righties (.679) and third in total strikeouts (1,001).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.