Murphy, Harper are primed for Sunday fun
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 Sunday.
Daniel Murphy: Hitting .344 with 22 homers and 87 RBIs across 427 at-bats, the second baseman is in the midst of a career year. Murphy could continue his productive campaign when brings his lifetime 121 wRC+ against right-handers (94 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Braves rookie righty Joel De La Cruz (4.96 FIP, 1.34 WHIP).
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Bryce Harper: Hitting .193 since the All-Star break, the outfielder could have a reduced price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his impressive lifetime .399 wOBA against right-handers (.339 vs. lefties) into a matchup against De La Cruz (38 2/3 career innings).
Javier Báez: Eligible at second base and third base, Baez could enter DraftKings lineups in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .199 ISO against left-handers (.145 vs. righties) into a matchup at homer-happy Coors Field against southpaw Jorge De La Rosa (career 4.61 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.81 ERA.
Kris Bryant: The third baseman will be poised to produce when he brings his 1.049 OPS this season against left-handers (.918 vs. righties) into a matchup at Colorado's offense-inducing venue against the left-handed De La Rosa and a Rockies squad that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .686 defensive efficiency ratio. In his career, De La Rosa has allowed right-handed hitters such as Bryant to post a .797 OPS (.645 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Evan Longoria: From the heart of the lineup, Longoria could drive in multiple runs when he takes his lifetime .913 OPS against left-handers (.811 vs. righties) into a matchup with left-hander Martin Pérez (4.09 ERA, 1.41 WHIP in 2016) and a Rangers bullpen that ranks 27th in baseball with a 4.67 ERA.
Ian Desmond: During his stellar 2016 season, the outfielder has posted a .928 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .778 mark vs. righties. With 20 homers and 18 steals across 528 plate appearances this year, Desmond has the skills to contribute in multiple ways when he faces fly-ball-prone southpaw Drew Smyly (4.85 ERA, 1.6 HR/9 rate in 2016) and a Rays relief corps that ranks 24th in the Majors with a 4.34 ERA.
Ian Kinsler: From his perch atop the lineup, the second baseman could reach base often or score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime 134 wRC+ against left-handers (103 vs. righties) into a matchup with Red Sox southpaw Henry Owens.
J.D. Martinez: The outfielder has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has produced a lifetime 136 wRC+ (118 vs. righties). Martinez could put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs when he faces Owens..
James McCann: With a lifetime .873 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .557 mark vs. righties, the catcher will be poised to provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he tangles with Owens.
Robinson Canó: In his productive career, the second baseman has produced an impressive 137 wRC+ against right-handers (109 vs. lefties). From the No. 3 spot in the lineup, Cano could post a substantial DraftKings total at the expense of Brewers righty Matt Garza (4.87 ERA, 1.55 WHIP in 2016).
Kyle Seager: As a big leaguer, the third baseman has logged an .817 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .711 mark vs. lefties. Seager could drive in multiple runs when he faces the right-handed Garza and a Brewers bullpen that lacks reliable options after trading away Jeremy Jeffress and Will Smith in late July.
Seth Smith: With a lifetime 122 wRC+ against right-handers (60 vs. lefties) the outfielder will be primed to produce when he faces the right-handed Garza (4.69 FIP in 2016) and an unsettled Brewers bullpen. Smith could be part of a productive lineup, as the Mariners rank seventh in baseball with a .764 OPS against righties.
Jake Lamb: The third baseman owns notable lifetime splits, with an .829 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .556 mark vs. lefties. Lamb could have a great game when he faces rookie righty Luis Perdomo (6.68 ERA, 1.84 WHIP) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 26th in baseball with a 4.51 ERA.
Gio Gonzalez: With a 4.28 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP this season, the left-hander could have a reduced price tag in DraftKings contests when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that ranks last in baseball in OPS vs. lefties (.650) and total home runs (83). Gonzalez's chances of earning a win may be enhanced by handing the ball over to a Washington bullpen that leads the Majors with a 3.13 ERA.
Ervin Santana: With a 1.84 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP across his past 10 starts, the right-hander is in top form heading into a matchup at pitcher-friendly Kauffman Stadium against a Royals lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .128 ISO against righties.
Braden Shipley: After posting a 4.30 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP across his initial five starts, the rookie righty could have a reasonable price tag in DraftKings contests when he faces a Padres lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .677 OPS against right-handers.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.