Quartet of Rockies primed for big games Monday

July 17th, 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 today.
: In his career, the third baseman has fared best when facing left-handers (.292/.362/.518 slash line) and when batting at his offense-inducing home park (.307/.351/.570 slash line). Arenado could post a game-changing DraftKings total when he hits at home against Rays southpaw (5.47 ERA, 1.32 WHIP, 1.8 HR/9 rate in 2016).
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: With balanced career splits and a lifetime .818 OPS at his hitter-friendly home park, the second baseman could provide production at a premium position at the expense of Smyly and a Rays relief corps that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.73 ERA.
: The outfielder owns notable lifetime splits, with an .825 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .698 mark vs. righties. Raburn could put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs when he faces the left-handed Smyly (4.48 FIP in 2016).
: Having tied a National League rookie record with 21 first-half homers, the shortstop has been a major factor in many 2016 DraftKings contests. Set to bat at his homer-happy home park, Story could improve on his .900 OPS against left-handers (.859 vs. righties) when he faces Smyly and the Rays' relief corps.
: With a lifetime .322/.389/.563 slash line against right-handers, the first baseman has proven to be one of the best in baseball during those matchups. Cabrera could post a substantial DraftKings total when he faces righty (career 4.58 ERA, 1.33 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 23rd in baseball with a 4.41 ERA.
: With balanced career splits, the outfielder will be in prime position to thrive against Nolasco (5.22 ERA, 1.37 WHIP in 2016) and an unreliable Twins bullpen. Also of note: Maybin will attempt to put balls into play against a Minnesota squad that ranks last in baseball with a .680 defensive efficiency ratio.
: The second-year outfielder will be in great position to improve on his impressive .338/.433/.576 slash line against left-handers when he faces southpaw (career 5.46 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) and a Padres squad that ranks 23rd in baseball with a .694 defensive efficiency ratio. In his career, Friedrich has allowed right-handed hitters such as Piscotty to post an .861 OPS (.697 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
: With balanced lifetime splits that include an impressive .294/.397/.497 slash line against left-handers, the right-handed-hitting outfielder could thrive in a matchup with the southpaw Friedrich (career 4.34 FIP) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 24th in the Majors with a 4.42 ERA.
: From a premium lineup spot, the second baseman could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .817 OPS against right-handers (.660 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Royals righty (career 4.34 ERA, 1.43 WHIP).
: The rookie outfielder will be in great position to improve on his impressive .324/.384/.600 slash line against right-handers when he faces the right-handed Volquez (4.85 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 2016).
 
: As a big leaguer, the third baseman has posted a .919 OPS against left-handers in comparison to an .803 mark vs. righties. Longoria could hit his 22nd homer of the season when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and bats at homer-happy Coors Field against rookie southpaw and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 5.00 ERA.
: From his perch atop the lineup, the second baseman may maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs when he takes his lifetime .849 OPS against left-handers (.652 vs. righties) into a matchup at Colorado's hitter-friendly venue against the inexperienced lefty Anderson and an unreliable Rockies bullpen. Also of note: Forsythe will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .682 defensive efficiency ratio.
: The veteran right-hander will be in great position to compile six-plus effective innings when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .668 OPS against righties. Leake could also come away with a win if his supporting cast -- which ranks fourth in baseball with 466 runs scored -- has success against Friedrich.
: With a 3.09 ERA, a 1.06 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 rate since the outset of 2014, the right-hander ranks among the most dominant starters in the American League. Kluber has the skills to spin a gem when he faces a Royals lineup that ranks 21st in the Majors with a .714 OPS against righties.
: With a lifetime 4.20 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP, the left-hander could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he faces a Braves lineup that ranks 29th in baseball in OPS vs. lefties (.641) and last in total home runs (56).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.