Cubs lead prospective producers on Sunday

Heyward, Bryant in for big performances; Moore, Lester may thrive on mound

April 16th, 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.
David Ortiz: In his prolific career, Ortiz has logged an impressive .293/.397/.580 slash line against right-handers. The slugger could go deep when he faces Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Ortiz to post a .785 OPS (.398 OPS allowed to righty batters).
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Bryce Harper: Possibly the most feared hitter in baseball, Harper has posted a game-changing .329/.459/.656 slash line since the outset of 2015. The outfielder could post a massive total in DraftKings contests when he travels to hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park to face right-hander Charlie Morton (career 4.55 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) and an unsettled Phillies relief corps.

Daniel Murphy: As a big leaguer, Murphy has registered a .787 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .685 mark vs. lefties. The second baseman -- who has posted a 1.429 OPS this season -- could drive in multiple runs when he faces Morton (career 4.12 FIP) and a shaky Philadelphia bullpen at an offense-inducing venue.
Prince Fielder: Much of Fielder's career-long success can be attributed to his impressive .297/.408/.547 slash line against right-handers. Batting from the heart of a talented Rangers lineup at his hitter-friendly home park, the slugger could have a productive game when he faces Orioles righty Mike Wright (career 6.16 ERA, 1.53 WHIP).
Nomar Mazara: After posting a .296/.366/.443 slash line in the Minors last season, Mazara has logged a .391/.385/.565 slash line since making his big league debut on April 10. Expected to bat out of a premium lineup spot at his offense-inducing home park, the left-handed-hitting outfielder could have great success against the right-hander Wright (career 6.12 FIP).
Addison Russell: Since making his big league debut on April 21, 2015, the shortstop has produced lopsided splits that include a .752 OPS against right-handers and a .519 mark vs. lefties. Russell could provide production at a premium position when he faces righty Tyler Chatwood (career 4.34 ERA, 1.56 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that lacks a reliable bridge to closer Jake McGee and finished last in baseball in 2015 with a 4.70 ERA.

Jason Heyward: From the two-hole in a talent-laden Cubs lineup, Heyward could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces the right-hander Chatwood (career 4.46 FIP) and a shaky Rockies relief corps. In his career, Heyward has posted an .835 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .657 mark vs. lefties.
Kris Bryant: Bryant could put a ball into the outfield seats when he brings his lifetime .287/.380/.507 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with righty Chatwood and the Rockies bullpen. The right-handed hitting third baseman could benefit from batting at Wrigley Field, which boosts power production for righty batters.
Matt Adams: Adams has produced pronounced career splits, with an .821 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .544 mark vs. lefties. The first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he faces Reds righty Jon Moscot, who owns a career 4.63 ERA and a 1.37 WHIP and will be making his first start of the season after opening the year on the disabled list.
Kolten Wong: With a lifetime .692 OPS against right-handers (.596 vs. lefties), the second baseman will be poised to provide production at a premium position when he faces Moscot (career 5.62 FIP). Wong could also excel against a Reds relief corps that lacks reliable options.
Matt Carpenter: From his perch atop the lineup, the third baseman -- who hit 28 homers last season and owns a lifetime .376 on-base percentage -- could reach base often and score multiple runs at the expense of Moscot and a shaky Reds bullpen.

John Jaso: From an expected premium lineup spot, the first baseman will be poised to produce when he brings his .799 OPS against right-handers (.542 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Brewers righty Zach Davies (34 career innings). He could also thrive late in the game against a Brewers bullpen that is dealing with multiple key injuries and lacks reliable options.
Gregory Polanco: With a lifetime .272/.345/.404 slash line against right-handers, Polanco has the plate skills to succeed against the right-handed Davies (career 24-to-15 strikeout-to-walk ratio). The speedy outfielder could also swipe a base against Jonathan Lucroy, who ranked fifth among catchers with 70 steals allowed last season despite appearing in just 86 games.
Michael Wacha: With a lifetime 3.22 ERA and a 1.20 WHIP, Wacha will be poised to lead a Cardinals team that won 100 games last season into a seemingly-advantageous matchup against the Reds' Moscot. The right-hander could also benefit from working at his pitcher-friendly home park with a stellar defensive catcher, Yadier Molina.

Matt Moore: In his first full season since recovering from Tommy John surgery, Moore -- who owns a lifetime 8.4 K/9 rate -- has posted a 3.00 ERA and a 1.08 WHIP across his initial two starts. The left-hander could spin a gem when he faces the White Sox at his pitcher-friendly home park.
Gio Gonzalez: DraftKings participants may pass on Gonzalez after seeing his 3.79 ERA and 1.42 WHIP from 2015, but his 3.07 FIP last season indicates that he could be on his way to a bounceback year. The left-hander -- who owns a lifetime 8.8 K/9 rate -- could be a solid asset to DraftKings squads when he faces a Phillies lineup that has few members who fare best against lefties and will likely not include a single player who hit 15 homers in 2015.
Jon Lester: Lester has followed up an impressive debut season with the Cubs (3.34 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 rate) by posting a 2.77 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP across his initial two starts of 2016. The left-hander could spin a gem when he works at home against a Rockies lineup that struggled away from Coors Field in 2015. Lester could also come away with a win if his talented supporting cast can have success against Chatwood and a shaky Colorado bullpen.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.