Davis' crushing power worth a shot vs. Tigers

Orioles slugger has drilled 134 home runs since start of 2013 season

May 11th, 2016

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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Thursday.
Chris Davis: With 134 homers since the outset of 2013, the first baseman is arguably the most powerful slugger in baseball. Davis -- who has logged a .261/.372/.588 slash line against right-handers since the outset of '13 -- could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Tigers righty Mike Pelfrey (6.23 ERA, 1.95 WHIP in 2016).
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Jonathan Schoop: With 20 homers across 414 at-bats since the outset of 2015, the second baseman is among the most powerful players at his position. Schoop could rip a round-tripper or drive in multiple runs when he faces the righty Pelfrey (career 4.56 ERA, 1.49 WHIP).
Pedro Alvarez: Hitting .209 with two homers across 67 at-bats this season, the left-handed slugger could have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime .794 OPS against right-handers (.593 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Pelfrey (6.07FIP in 2016). Also working in Alvarez's favor: Camden Yards has proven to be especially homer-happy for lefty batters.
Manny Machado: With 45 homers, 20 steals, 128 runs and 109 RBIs since the outset of 2015, the third baseman has become one of the most versatile offensive weapons in baseball. Machado could contribute in multiple ways when he faces Pelfrey, who often struggles to hold would-be base stealers.
Chris Carter: Having compiled 10 homers across 114 at-bats, Carter has been among the most powerful players in baseball this season. With balanced career splits, the first baseman could go deep when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against righty James Shields, who owns a career 1.1 HR/9 rate -- including a 1.4 mark since joining the Padres at the outset of 2015.

Ryan Braun: Hitting .368 with seven homers across 117 at-bats, the outfielder has been an impactful performer in many 2016 DraftKings contests. Braun could have a terrific game when he brings his lifetime .296/.356/.519 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with the homer-prone righty Shields and a Padres bullpen that sits 28th in baseball with a 4.78 ERA.
Odubel Herrera: The outfielder will be in position to improve on his lifetime .799 OPS against right-handers (.741 vs. lefties) when he faces inexperienced righty Aaron Blair (4.23 FIP, 1.35 WHIP across three career starts) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.68 ERA. Herrera could also swipe his sixth base of the season at the expense of A.J. Pierzynski, who has allowed more steals than all but four catchers in 2016.
Matt Carpenter: With 34 homers since the outset of 2015, the third baseman can hit for power and reach base regularly (lifetime .376 on-base percentage). From his perch atop the lineup, Carpenter could get on often or put a ball into the outfield seats when he brings his lifetime .858 OPS against right-handers (.772 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Angels righty Jered Weaver (4.72 ERA, 1.51 WHIP in 2016).
Brandon Moss: As a big leaguer, the first baseman has posted a .788 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .718 mark vs. lefties. On Thursday, Moss -- who has seven homers across 90 at-bats this season -- could go deep vs. the fly-ball-prone righty Weaver (1.4 HR/9 rate since the outset of 2015).

Aledmys Diaz: Since making his big league debut on April 5, Diaz has logged an impressive .406/.446/.725 slash line against right-handers. The shortstop could be part of a productive lineup against the righty Weaver, as the Cardinals lead the Majors with an .847 OPS against righties.
Eric Hosmer: Hosmer has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he owns a lifetime .808 OPS (.693 vs. lefties). The first baseman could excel in a matchup at homer-happy Yankee Stadium against righty Nathan Eovaldi, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Hosmer to post a .779 OPS (.672 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Kendrys Morales: Morales has long fared best vs. righties, against whom he owns an .808 OPS (.737 vs. lefties). On Thursday, the switch-hitter could go deep against the right-handed Eovaldi (career 4.14 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) at a Yankee Stadium that has consistently boosted left-handed-hitting pop.
Miguel Cabrera: The first baseman has used a patient, powerful approach to post a lofty lifetime .316/.429/.556 slash line against right-handers. Set to bat at hitter-friendly Camden Yards, Cabrera could post a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he faces righty Ubaldo Jimenez (career 4.03 ERA, 1.37 WHIP).
Vince Velasquez: Since debuting on June 10, 2015, the right-hander has posted impressive stats (3.48 ERA, 1.15 WHIP, 9.9 K/9 rate). Velasquez could post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests on Thursday, when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that ranks last in the Majors in OPS against righties (.614) and total home runs (eight).

David Price: Having logged a 6.75 ERA this season, the longtime ace could have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime 3.19 ERA into a matchup with an Astros lineup that leads the baseball with 327 strikeouts.
Clayton Kershaw: With a 1.93 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP since the outset of 2013, the left-hander is widely regarded as the most effective starter in baseball. Kershaw -- who has struck out at least 10 batters in each of his past four starts -- could spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Mets.
Adam Wainwright: With a 6.30 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP this season, the right-hander could have an economical DraftKings cost when he works at pitcher-friendly Angel Stadium against a lineup that ranks 28th in baseball with a .641 OPS against righties. Wainwright could also come away with a win if his productive supporting cast succeeds against Weaver.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.