Scherzer, Nats' bats set to excel Saturday

Rockies' CarGo, Blackmon, Marlins' Fernandez could join NL East leaders as top picks

July 22nd, 2016

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 Saturday.
: In his career, Gonzalez has fared best when facing right-handers (.306/.370/.565 slash line) and batting at his hitter-friendly home park (.335/.393/.632 slash line). The outfielder could thrive when he hits at Coors Field against Braves righty , who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Gonzalez to post a .900 OPS (.672 OPS allowed to righty batters).
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: As a big leaguer, the left-handed-hitting outfielder has registered an .805 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .731 mark vs. lefties. Blackmon has the plate skills to reach base often against the right-handed Wisler (career 4.69 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) and the speed to swipe a base against catcher , who sometimes struggles to thwart would-be basestealers.

: Since the outset of 2015, the outfielder has posted an impressive .307/.451/.616 slash line against right-handers. On Saturday, Harper could notch a substantial DraftKings total when he faces righty (career 4.58 ERA, 1.45 WHIP) and a Padres relief corps that ranks 25th in the Majors with a 4.51 ERA.
: Hitting .350 with 18 homers across 349 at-bats, the second baseman has taken a major step forward this season. Hitting behind Harper, Murphy could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .805 OPS against right-handers (.701 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Jackson and an unreliable Padres bullpen.
: Since the outset of 2013, the first baseman has used a patient, powerful approach to build a .256/.369/.573 slash line against right-handers. Davis could put a ball into the outfield seats when he bats at his power-inducing home park against Indians fly-ball-prone righty (career 1.5 HR/9 rate).
: The shortstop may maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs when he brings his lifetime .737 OPS against left-handers (.659 vs. righties) into a matchup at hitter-friendly Chase Field against southpaw (career 4.42 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) and a D-backs bullpen that ranks 26th in baseball with a 4.53 ERA.

: With a lifetime .793 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .717 mark vs. righties, the second baseman could excel in a matchup against the left-handed Ray (4.49 ERA, 1.51 WHIP in 2016). In his career, Ray has allowed right-handed hitters such as Phillips to post an .807 OPS (.726 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
: Hitting .294 with 21 homers and 65 RBIs across 309 at-bats, the third baseman has been one of the biggest breakout players this season. Lamb could stay hot when he brings his lifetime .854 OPS against right-handers (.604 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against righty (career 6.29 ERA, 1.83 WHIP) and a Reds relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 5.47 ERA.
: As a big leaguer, the catcher has posted a .767 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .653 mark vs. righties. Navarro could provide production at a premium position when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against Tigers lefty Matt Boyd (career 6.45 ERA, 1.47 WHIP).
: With 20 homers across 331 at-bats, the shortstop has been one of the most powerful players at his premium position this season. Semien could go deep when he brings his lifetime .859 OPS against left-handers (.663 vs. righties) into a matchup with southpaw (5.64 ERA, 1.36 WHIP, 1.8 HR/9 rate in 2016) and a Rays relief corps that ranks 27th in baseball with a 4.62 ERA.
: In his prolific career, the slugger has produced an impressive .295/.398/.585 slash line against right-handers. Leading the American League with a .330 batting average, Ortiz could collect multiple hits and RBIs at the expense of righty (career 4.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 24th in baseball with a 4.48 ERA.
: The third baseman will be in position to improve on his lifetime .267/.341/.463 slash line against right-handers when he faces the right-handed Nolasco, who in his career has allowed left-handed batters such as Shaw to post a .787 OPS (.735 OPS allowed to righty batters).
: Having slugged 50 of his 73 career homers on the road, the left-handed-hitting first baseman will be in excellent position to go deep when he tangles with (4.92 ERA, 1.7 HR/9 rate in 2016) at Yankee Stadium. Also of note: The Yankees' venue has proven to be especially power-inducing for southpaw sluggers.
: With a 2.94 ERA, a 1.01 WHIP and a 10.6 K/9 rate since the outset of 2013, the right-hander has the skills to spin a gem when he works at home against a Padres lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors in OPS vs. righties (.670) and second in total strikeouts (881).
: Having posted a 1.80 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a 13.6 K/9 rate across his past 12 starts, the right-hander is one of the hottest starters in baseball as he heads into a home tilt against a Mets lineup that ranks 19th in the Majors with a .718 OPS against righties.

: Despite a 4.25 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP on the season, Graveman has been much better of late (2.64 ERA, 1.15 WHIP in past seven starts). On Saturday, he could stay hot when working at his pitcher-friendly home park vs. a Rays lineup that ranks 23rd in the Majors with a .709 OPS vs. righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.