Bogaerts, Arenado ready to thrive on Sunday

Nationals, Athletics hitters also in line to shine

June 12th, 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 Sunday.
Danny Espinosa: Hitting .203 this season, the shortstop could have a reasonable price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his solid lifetime .783 OPS against left-handers (.662 vs. righties) into a matchup with Phillies southpaw Adam Morgan (career 5.21 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).
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Jayson Werth: The outfielder has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .934 OPS (.785 vs. righties). Werth could reach base often or drive in multiple runs at the expense of Morgan, who has logged a 6.70 ERA and a 1.49 WHIP this season.
Ryan Zimmerman: With a lifetime .899 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .795 mark vs. righties, the first baseman could excel in a matchup against the left-handed Morgan. In his career, Morgan has allowed right-handed batters such as Zimmerman to post an .843 OPS (.709 OPS allowed to lefty hitters).
Chris Davis: The first baseman will be in prime position to rip a round-tripper when he takes his lifetime .874 OPS against right-handers (.740 vs lefties) into a matchup with Blue Jays righty Aaron Sanchez at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. In his career, Sanchez has allowed left-handed hitters such as Davis to post a .726 OPS (.464 OPS allowed to righty batters).

Xander Bogaerts: Hitting .349 with 40 RBIs and 47 runs across 274 plate appearances, the shortstop has been among the most productive players at his premium position this season. Bogaerts could post a game-changing DraftKings total when he bring his lifetime .862 OPS against left-handers (.715 vs. righties) into a matchup with inexperienced lefty Pat Dean (career 30 1/3 innings) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.43 ERA.
Dustin Pedroia: Hitting in the No. 2 spot in a Red Sox lineup that leads the Majors in runs, Pedroia could reach base and cross home plate often when he takes his lifetime .846 OPS against left-handers (.799 vs. righties) into a matchup with the southpaw Dean (career 4.75 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) and an unreliable Twins bullpen. Also working in Pedroia's favor: Minnesota ranks last in baseball with a .668 defensive efficiency ratio.
Danny Valencia: Hitting .340 with nine homers across 147 at-bats, the third baseman has made a major impact in many 2016 DraftKings contests. Valencia could excel when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and brings his lifetime .890 OPS against left-handers (.678 vs. righties) into a matchup with southpaw John Lamb (career 5.34 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) at offense-inducing Great American Ball Park.
Marcus Semien: With 11 homers across 198 at-bats, the shortstop has been one of the most powerful players at his premium position this season. Semien could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he bats at Cincy's hitter-friendly venue against the left-handed Lamb (4.74 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 2016) and a Reds relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 6.61 ERA.
Jed Lowrie: As a big leaguer, the second baseman has posted a .778 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .719 mark vs. righties. Expected to hit out of a premium lineup spot, Lowrie could thrive in a matchup with the southpaw Lamb (career 4.52 FIP) and an unreliable Reds relief corps.

Jon Jay: With balanced career splits, the outfielder could thrive when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and bats at hitter-friendly Coors Field against righty Eddie Butler and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 23rd in the Majors with a 4.23 ERA. In his career, Butler has allowed left-handed hitters such as Jay to post a 1.037 OPS (.823 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Yangervis Solarte: A switch-hitter with balanced career splits, Solarte could excel when he bats from the left side against the righty Butler (career 5.87 ERA, 1.67 WHIP) at Colorado's offense-inducing park. Also of note: The Rockies rank 27th in the Majors with a .690 defensive efficiency ratio.
Nolan Arenado: In his career Arenado has fared best when facing left-handers (.295/.361/.527 slash line) and when batting at his homer-happy home park (.309/.349/.574 slash line). The third baseman may be worth a notable investment in DraftKings contests when he hits at home against southpaw Christian Friedrich (career 5.34 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.77 ERA.
Ryan Raburn: Since the outset of 2015, the outfielder has produced a game-changing .972 OPS against left-handers (.708 vs. righties). Raburn could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against the left-handed Friedrich and an unreliable Padres bullpen.

Giancarlo Stanton: With a lifetime .286/.380/.606 slash line against left-handers, the outfielder has proven to wield a potent bat during those matchups. Stanton could go deep when he bats at homer-happy Chase Field against D-backs southpaw Robbie Ray (career 4.59 ERA, 1.52 WHIP).
Rick Porcello: The right-hander could have a stellar start when he faces a Twins lineup that ranks 22nd in the Majors with a .704 OPS against righties. Porcello could also pick up a win if his supporting cast -- owners of an MLB-leading .850 OPS against left-handers -- has success against the left-handed Dean.
Jon Lester: With a 2.98 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP since joining the Cubs at the outset of '15, the left-hander has quickly become one of the most reliable starters in the Senior Circuit. Lester could spin a gem when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that ranks last in baseball in OPS against lefties (.586) and total home runs (25).
Joe Ross: By posting a 3.31 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP since making his big league debut on June 6 last season, the right-hander has already become a trusted starter for DraftKings participants. Ross has the skills to have a silence the opposition when he works at home against a Phillies lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .664 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.