Cardinals stars primed for success

Carpenter, Moss, Martinez among best picks Friday

September 8th, 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 Friday.
: With 18 homers and a .389 on-base percentage across 476 plate appearances, the second baseman has the skills to maximize his opportunities from the leadoff spot when he brings his lifetime .868 OPS against right-handers (.780 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Brewers righty (4.36 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 2016). In his career, Nelson has allowed left-handed hitters such as Carpenter to post an .818 OPS (.680 OPS allowed to righty batters).
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: With a lifetime .233 ISO against right-handers (.156 vs. lefties), the left-handed-hitting first baseman will be in prime position to rip his 26th round-tripper of the season or drive in multiple runs when he tangles with the right-handed Nelson (career 4.26 ERA, 1.39 WHIP).

: Having hit 56 of his lifetime 78 homers on the road, the first baseman has a good chance to put a ball into the outfield seats when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and bats at homer-happy Chase Field against rookie righty (4.94 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Belt could also thrive late in the game against a D-backs bullpen that ranks last in the Majors with a 5.13 ERA.
: The outfielder could reach base often or display his power when he brings his lifetime .331 wOBA against right-handers (.262 vs. lefties) into a matchup with rookie righty (6.10 FIP, 1.29 WHIP) and a Reds bullpen that is tied for 28th in baseball with a 5.01 ERA. Polanco could also swipe a base against , who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher in 2016.

: The owner of an impressive lifetime 153 wRC+ against right-handers (114 vs. lefties), Harper has the potential to post a substantial DraftKings total when he meets up with rookie righty (6.48 ERA, 1.53 WHIP). The outfielder could also thrive late in the game against a Phillies bullpen that ranks 25th in baseball with a 4.44 ERA.
: Hitting .345 with 25 homers and 100 RBIs across 496 at-bats, the second baseman is coming down the stretch of a career year. Batting behind Harper, Murphy could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .811 OPS against right-handers (.710 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the inexperienced righty Thompson (33 1/3 innings) and an unreliable Phillies bullpen.

: Eligible at first base and shortstop in DraftKings contests, Miller could enter participants' lineups in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .203 ISO against right-handers (.089 vs. lefties) into a matchup at homer-happy Yankee Stadium against righty (5.10 ERA, 1.3 HR/9 rate in 2016). With 26 homers across 469 at-bats, Miller has dramatically raised his power profile this season.
: With 17 homers across 211 at-bats, the rookie second baseman is quickly becoming one of the most powerful players at his premium position. Schimpf could put a ball into the outfield seats when he brings his .950 OPS against right-handers (.824 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty (career 4.23 ERA, 1.51 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that is tied for 29th in baseball with a 5.01 ERA.
: Leading all rookie with 30 steals, the outfielder has been a factor in many 2016 DraftKings contests. Jankowski may maximize the opportunities of his perch atop the lineup when he brings his lifetime .702 OPS against right-handers (.462 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Chatwood (4.28 FIP, 1.40 WHIP in 2016) and a Rockies squad that ranks 28th in baseball with a .675 defensive efficiency ratio.
: As a big leaguer, the second baseman has produced an .812 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .689 mark vs. lefties. Kipnis could reach base often or score multiple runs when he faces the inexperienced righty (career 5.19 ERA, 1.43 WHIP) and a Twins squad that ranks last in baseball with a .661 defensive efficiency ratio.
: The outfielder owns notable lifetime splits, with an .831 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .594 mark vs. lefties. Smith could have an excellent game when he tangles with A's rookie righty (6.66 ERA, 1.71 WHIP).
: The third baseman could add to his impressive 2016 totals of 26 homers and 88 RBIs across 507 at-bats when he takes his lifetime .355 wOBA against right-handers (.312 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the rookie righty Mengden (4.53 FIP).

: With a 3.07 ERA this season, the right-hander has the skills to post a difference-making DraftKings total when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Brewers lineup that ranks 22nd in the Majors in OPS vs. righties (.722) and first in total strikeouts (1,324).
: The left-hander could post a substantial DraftKings total when he brings his impressive season-to-date 2.61 ERA and 1.04 WHIP into a matchup with an Astros lineup that ranks third in baseball with 1,267 strikeouts. Also working in Lester's favor: Chicago leads the Majors by a wide margin with a .733 defensive efficiency ratio.

: With a 2.89 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP, the right-hander is putting the finishing touches on an excellent bounceback season. Roark could continue to limit the opposition when he works at home against a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.688).