Werth, Ramos, Ozuna could mash Monday
Tigers' Norris, Red Sox's Pomeranz represent best pitcher picks
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 Monday.
Jayson Werth: As a big leaguer, the outfielder has produced a 148 wRC+ against left-handers that exceeds his 113 mark vs. righties. Werth could have a great game when he visits offense-inducing Coors Field to tangle with southpaw Jorge De La Rosa (career 4.60 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) and a Rockies squad that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .673 defensive efficiency ratio.
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Wilson Ramos: Hitting .332 with 18 homers and 63 RBIs across 352 at-bats, Ramos has been the most productive player at his premium position this season. The catcher could thrive against De La Rosa, who in his career has allowed right-handed hitters such as Ramos to post a .796 OPS (.644 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Danny Espinosa: The shortstop could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he brings his solid lifetime .789 OPS against left-handers (.665 vs. righties) into a matchup with the left-handed De La Rosa (5.25 ERA, 1.59 WHIP in 2016) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.88 ERA.
Marcell Ozuna: Hitting .280 with 19 homers and 59 RBIs across 421 at-bats, the outfielder is in the midst of a breakout season. Ozuna could display his power when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and brings his lifetime .868 OPS against left-handers (.719 vs. righties) into a matchup with southpaw Brandon Finnegan (career 4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) and a Reds relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 5.09 ERA.
Adeiny Hechavarria: Hitting .247 with three homers and one steal across 416 plate appearances, the shortstop could have a reasonable price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime 87 wRC+ against left-handers (66 vs. righties) into a matchup with the left-handed Finnegan (4.45 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 2016) and an unreliable Reds bullpen.
Jackie Bradley Jr.: In his breakout 2016 season, the outfielder has produced an impressive .929 OPS against right-handers (.734 vs. lefties). Bradley will be in great position to put a ball into the outfield seats when he faces Indians fly-ball-prone righty Josh Tomlin (career 1.5 HR/9 rate).
Travis Shaw: The third baseman will be set up to improve on his lifetime .260/.331/.447 slash line against right-handers when he faces the right-handed Tomlin (4.18 ERA, 1.9 HR/9 rate in 2016). Shaw could be part of a productive lineup, as the Red Sox lead the Majors with an .816 OPS against righties.
Robinson Canó: Cano has built an impressive career on the strength of a lifetime .891 OPS against right-handers (.776 vs. lefties). From the No. 3 spot in the lineup, the second baseman could produce a substantial DraftKings total when he faces righty Ricky Nolasco (5.14 ERA, 1.32 WHIP in 2016) and an Angels bullpen that will work without injured anchors Huston Street and Cam Bedrosian.
Danny Valencia: The third baseman has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has logged a lifetime .380 wOBA (.293 vs. righties). Valencia could excel when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and bats at offense-inducing Globe Life Park in Arlington against lefty Martin Pérez (4.22 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 2016) and a Rangers relief corps that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.68 ERA.
Marcus Semien: With a lifetime .366 wOBA against left-handers (.291 vs. righties), the shortstop has the skills to reach base often against the left-handed Perez (career 4.22 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and an unreliable Rangers relief corps. Semien could also swipe a base against Jonathan Lucroy, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher in 2016.
Brian McCann: With a lifetime 117 wRC+ against right-handers that exceeds his 102 mark vs. lefties, the left-handed-hitting catcher could display his power when he hits at home against Blue Jays righty R.A. Dickey (4.61 ERA, 1.6 HR/9 rate in 2016). Also working in McCann's favor: Yankee Stadium has proven to be especially power inducing for lefty batters.
Ian Desmond: In his bounceback 2016 season, the outfielder has produced a .949 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .775 mark vs. lefties. With 20 homers and 17 steals across 505 plate appearances this year, Desmond will bring a diverse skill set into a matchup with A's southpaw Ross Detwiler (career 4.15 ERA, 1.44 WHIP).
Wilmer Flores: This season, the third baseman has registered an impressive 1.039 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .597 mark vs. righties. Flores could thrive at hitter-friendly Chase Field against southpaw Robbie Ray (4.57 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 2016), who in his career has allowed right-handed hitters such as Flores to post a .792 OPS (.733 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Joey Votto: The first baseman has used a patient, powerful approach to build a lofty lifetime .316/.435/.546 slash line against right-handers. Votto could reach base often or score multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Marlins righty David Phelps, who owns a career 4.26 ERA when working as a starter.
Daniel Norris: With a lifetime 3.93 ERA, the left-hander could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he works at home against a Royals lineup that is tied for 23rd in the Majors in ISO vs. lefties (.149) and ranks 27th in total home runs (97).
Drew Pomeranz: In the midst of a breakout season (3.03 ERA, 9.9 K/9 rate), the left-hander could continue to limit the opposition when he faces an Indians lineup that is tied for 18th in baseball with a .155 ISO against southpaws.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.