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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Friday.
Michael Saunders: Hitting .296 with 16 homers across 291 at-bats, the outfielder has been a cost-effective option in many 2016 DraftKings contests. Saunders could continue his stellar campaign when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against righty Mike Pelfrey (career 4.53 ERA, 1.50 WHIP) and a Tigers bullpen that ranks 23rd in baseball with a 4.40 ERA.
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Ezequiel Carrera: From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder could reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his balanced career splits into a matchup with Pelfrey (4.78 ERA, 1.72 WHIP in 2016) and an inconsistent Tigers bullpen.
Edwin Encarnacion: Since the outset of 2012, the first baseman has posted a .273/.364/.546 slash line against right-handers and a .276/.373/.562 line at his hitter-friendly home park. Hitting .325 with 12 homers and 37 RBIs across 114 at-bats since June 1, Encarnacion may be worth a major investment in DraftKings contests when he bats at home against the right-handed Pelfrey and an unreliable Tigers bullpen.
Christian Yelich: In his career, the outfielder has posted an .821 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .699 mark vs. lefties. Yelich has the plate skills to succeed against Reds righty Dan Straily (career 4.53 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) and the speed to swipe a base against Tucker Barnhart, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher in 2016.
Derek Dietrich: With a lifetime .802 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .629 mark vs. lefties, the second baseman could reach base often or drive in multiple runs at the expense of the right-handed Straily (4.34 ERA in 2016) and a Reds relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 5.77 ERA.
Corey Seager: The shortstop could improve on his impressive 2016 totals of 17 homers and 59 runs across 372 plate appearances when he faces Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Seager to post a .750 OPS (.660 OPS surrendered to righty batters).
Odubel Herrera: With a 43-to-65 walk-to-strikeout ratio, the outfielder has notably improved his plate disclipline this season. Herrera could produce in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .832 OPS against right-handers (.673 vs. lefties) into a matchup at hitter-friendly Coors Field against righty Jon Gray (career 5.05 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) and a Rockies squad that ranks 29th in baseball with a .670 defensive efficiency ratio.
Maikel Franco: As a big leaguer, the third baseman has posted an .814 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .701 mark vs. lefties. Set to bring his powerful bat to homer-happy Coors Field, Franco could put a ball into the outfield seats at the expense of the right-handed Gray (4.81 ERA in 2016) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 29th in baseball with a 4.99 ERA.
Jason Kipnis: From a premium lineup spot, the second baseman could reach base often or score multiple runs when he takes his lifetime .809 OPS against right-handers (.660 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Yankees righty Chad Green, who has logged just 11 big league innings.
Buster Posey: Hitting .289 with 11 homers across 280 at-bats this year, the catcher continues to rank among the top producers at his premium position. Posey could post a notable DraftKings total when he brings his lofty lifetime .328/.390/.565 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with D-backs southpaw Patrick Corbin (4.90 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 2016).
Javier Baez: With a lifetime .876 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .598 mark vs. righties, Baez -- who qualifies at third base and shortstop in DraftKings contests -- could excel in a matchup against Pirates southpaw Francisco Liriano (5.34 ERA, 1.64 WHIP in 2016). In his career, Liriano has allowed right-handed batters such as Baez to post a .717 OPS (.586 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Nomar Mazara: The rookie will be in great position to improve on his .308/.358/.486 slash line against right-handers when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against righty Kyle Gibson (4.82 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 2016) and a Twins squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .666 defensive efficiency ratio.
Mitch Moreland: Hitting .229 this season, the first baseman may have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he faces the right-handed Gibson (career 4.47 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 24th in the Majors with a 4.46 ERA. In his career, Moreland has produced a .789 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .650 mark vs. lefties.
Adam Eaton: The outfielder could reach base often when he faces Braves righty Matt Wisler, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Eaton to post an .880 OPS (.653 OPS allowed to righty batters). Eaton could also swipe a bag against either Braves catcher -- A.J. Pierzynski or Tyler Flowers, who have thwarted nine of 72 would-be base stealers in 2016.
Corey Kluber: With a 3.12 ERA, a 1.07 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 rate since the outset of 2014, the right-hander is among the most dominant starters in the American League. Kluber could spin a gem when he works at home against a Yankees lineup that ranks 22nd in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.712) and 29th in OPS on the road (.671).
Jose Fernandez: Having produced a 2.47 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and an 11.1 K/9 rate in his career, the right-hander owns one of baseball's best skillsets. Fernandez could post a substantial DraftKings total when he works at home against a Reds lineup that ranks 27th in baseball in OPS against righties (.695) and 26th in OPS on the road (.690).
Chris Sale: Having posted a 14-2 record, a 2.93 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP, the left-hander has been arguably the most effective starter in the American League this season. Sale could deliver a stellar start when he faces a Braves lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors in OPS against lefties (.620) and last in total home runs (45).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.