Reds, Red Sox bats primed for success

Votto, Bruce, Bogaerts, Pedroia among best picks Sunday

June 26th, 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.
Brian McCann: One of the most powerful catchers in baseball, the left-handed-hitting McCann could go deep when he brings his lifetime .821 OPS against right-handers (.752 vs. lefties) into a home matchup against Twins right-hander Tyler Duffey (career 4.67 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Also working in McCann's favor: Yankee Stadium is especially power-inducing for lefty batters.
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Didi Gregorius: The shortstop owns notable lifetime splits, with a .721 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .611 mark vs. lefties. Gregorius -- who is hitting .338 in June -- could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he faces the right-handed Duffey (6.18 ERA, 1.58 WHIP in 2016) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.63 ERA.
Joey Votto: The first baseman has used an elite blend of power and patience to post a lifetime .313/.432/.543 slash line against right-handers. Votto could rip a round-tripper or drive in multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against rookie righty Luis Perdomo (9.00 ERA, 2.11 WHIP) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 23rd in the Majors with a 4.25 ERA.
Jay Bruce: The outfielder has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has produced a lifetime .816 OPS (.724 vs. lefties). Bruce -- who has compiled 16 homers and 57 RBIs across 257 at-bats this season -- could have a great game when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against Perdomo and a Padres squad that ranks 27th in baseball with a .677 defensive efficiency ratio.

Nolan Arenado: In his career, the third baseman has fared best when facing left-handers (.294/.364/.523 slash line) and when batting at Coors Field (.308/.353/.575 slash line). Arenado may be worth a major investment in DraftKings contests when he hits at home against D-backs southpaw Patrick Corbin (4.63 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 2016).
Danny Valencia: Hitting .325 with 10 homers, Valencia has been a cost-effective option in many 2016 DraftKings contests. The third baseman could excel when he brings his lifetime .890 OPS against left-handers (.679 vs. righties) into a matchup with Angels southpaw Hector Santiago, who in his career has allowed right-handed hitters such as Valencia to post a .754 OPS (.631 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Shin-Soo Choo: From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder could reach base often or score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .904 OPS against right-handers (.693 vs. lefties) into a matchup against Red Sox righty Clay Buchholz (5.83 ERA, 1.41 WHIP in 2016).
Jake Lamb: With 15 homers and 47 RBIs across 240 at-bats, the third baseman is in the midst of a breakout season. Lamb could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .811 OPS against right-handers (.619 vs. lefties) into a matchup against righty Chad Bettis (career 5.29 ERA, 1.53 WHIP) at Coors Field.

Michael Bourn: With a lifetime .705 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .634 mark vs. lefties, the speedy outfielder could be a cost-effective option in DraftKings contests when he faces the right-handed Bettis (5.44 ERA, 1.46 WHIP in 2016) and a Rockies bullpen that ranks 29th in the Majors with a 4.75 ERA.
Xander Bogaerts: Hitting .349 with nine homers, 10 steals, 56 runs and 50 RBIs across 334 plate appearances, Bogaerts has been arguably the most productive player at his premium position this season. The shortstop could contribute in multiple ways when he bats at Globe Life Park in Arlington against Martin Perez (career 4.07 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) and a Rangers relief corps that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.73 ERA.
Dustin Pedroia: As a big leaguer, the second baseman has posted an .845 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .796 mark vs. righties. The second baseman could thrive against the southpaw Perez, who in his career has allowed right-handed hitters such as Pedroia to post a .769 OPS (.633 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Curtis Granderson: Hitting leadoff, Granderson may maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs when he takes his lifetime .858 OPS against right-handers (.693 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Braves righty Bud Norris (career 4.46 ERA, 1.40 WHIP). The outfielder could also swipe a base against catchers A.J. Pierzynski or Tyler Flowers, considering the Braves backstop tandem has combined to throw out nine of 61 would-be base stealers in 2016.
Neil Walker: Having compiled 14 homers across 232 at-bats, the second baseman has been one of the most powerful players at his premium position this season. Walker could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .796 OPS against right-handers (.683 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Norris (4.69 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 2016) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 22nd in baseball with a 4.20 ERA.
Miguel Cabrera: With a lofty lifetime .323/.390/.564 slash line against right-handers, the first baseman has proven to be one of the best in baseball during those matchups. Cabrera could display his power when he faces Indians fly-ball-prone righty Josh Tomlin (career 1.5 HR/9 rate).

Anthony DeSclafani: With a lifetime 4.24 ERA and 1.37 WHIP, the right-hander could have a reasonable cost in DraftKings contests when he faces a Padres lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .654 OPS against righties.
Johnny Cueto: With a 2.06 ERA and a 0.99 WHIP, the right-hander has made a major impact in many 2016 DraftKings contests. Cueto could spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Phillies lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .673 OPS against righties.
Bartolo Colon: Having produced a 3.00 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP this season, the right-hander has been a reliable second starter for DraftKings participants. Colon could have a stellar start when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors in OPS vs. righties (.656) and last in total home runs (35).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.