Arrieta, Betts set up to excel on Saturday

Several Mets, Rockies bats could join pair as day's top stars

June 10th, 2016

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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Michael Conforto: The sophomore outfielder owns lopsided lifetime splits, with a .902 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .292 mark vs. lefties. Conforto could have a productive game when he bats at hitter-friendly Miller Park against Brewers righty Wily Peralta (6.79 ERA, 1.93 WHIP in 2016).
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Neil Walker: With 13 homers across 204 at-bats, the second baseman has been one of the most powerful players at his premium position this season. Walker could go deep when he bats at homer-happy Miller Park against the right-hander Peralta (career 4.31 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) and a Brewers bullpen that ranks 20th in the Majors with a 4.01 ERA.

Curtis Granderson: Hitting leadoff, the outfielder could maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs against Peralta, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Granderson to post an .812 OPS (.726 OPS allowed to righty batters). He could also swipe a base against Jonathan Lucroy, who has allowed more steals than any other catcher in 2016.
David Ortiz: Much of the slugger's impressive career track record can be traced to his .294/.397/.584 slash line against right-handers. Hitting .338 with 16 homers and 55 RBIs across 195 at-bats this season, Ortiz could stay hot when he faces righty Kyle Gibson (career 4.50 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) and a Twins relief corps that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.42 ERA.
Travis Shaw: The third baseman could improve on his lifetime .272/.341/.465 slash line against right-handers when he tangles with the right-handed Gibson, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Shaw to post a .738 OPS (.696 OPS allowed to righty batters). Also working in Shaw's favor: Minnesota ranks last in the Majors with a .661 defensive efficiency ratio.
Mookie Betts: With 14 homers, 11 steals, 45 RBIs and 55 runs across 279 plate appearances, the outfielder has been one of the most productive players in baseball this season. Betts could contribute to DraftKings squads in multiple ways when he goes against a likely battery of Gibson and catcher Kurt Suzuki, who sometimes struggles to thwart would-be base stealers.

DJ LeMahieu: With balanced career splits and a lifetime .317/.370/.430 slash line at his hitter-friendly home park, the second baseman will be poised to produce when he hits at home against righty Erik Johnson (career 4.50 ERA, 1.57 WHIP) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.75 ERA.
Carlos Gonzalez: In his career, the outfielder has fared best when hitting against right-handers (.304/.368/.565 slash line) and batting at his offense-inducing home park (.330/.390/.624). On Saturday, Gonzalez could put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs when he faces the righty Johnson (career 5.68 FIP) and an unreliable Padres bullpen.
Charlie Blackmon: The outfielder could reach base often or score multiple runs when he bats out of the leadoff spot against Johnson, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Blackmon to post a .937 OPS (.748 OPS allowed to righty batters). Blackmon could also swipe a base against Derek Norris, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher since the outset of 2015.
Nick Hundley: Since joining the Rockies at the outset of 2015, the catcher has posted an .833 OPS against right-handers (.742 vs. lefties) and a .934 OPS at his hitter-friendly home park (.677 on the road). Hundley could provide production at a premium position when he hits at home against the right-handed Johnson and a suspect Padres bullpen.
Jason Heyward: In his career, Heyward has produced an .823 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .664 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder could thrive out of the No. 2 spot in a talent-laden Cubs lineup when he faces Braves righty Matt Wisler, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Heyward to post an .857 OPS (.666 OPS allowed to righty batters).

Jose Abreu: The powerful first baseman will be in prime position to put a ball into the outfield seats when he brings his lifetime .299/.354/.527 slash line against right-handers into a matchup at his homer-happy home park against Royals fly-ball-prone righty Chris Young (career 1.2 HR/9 rate).
Kyle Seager: As a big leaguer, Seager has registered an .810 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .697 mark vs. lefties. The third baseman could have a productive game when he faces Rangers righty Colby Lewis, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Seager to post an .812 OPS (.723 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Joey Votto: The first baseman has used his elite combination of power and patience to post a lofty lifetime .313/.431/.544 slash line against right-handers. Votto could post a notable DraftKings total when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against A's righty Daniel Mengden, who will be making his first career start.
Jose Quintana: With a 2.58 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, the left-hander has been productive member of many 2016 DraftKings squads. Quintana could excel in a matchup against a Royals lineup that ranks 24th in the Majors in OPS against southpaws (.694) and 29th in total home runs (47).
Jake Arrieta: Having logged a 1.78 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP since the outset of 2015, the right-hander has become one of the most effective starters in baseball. Arrieta could post a game-changing DraftKings total when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that ranks last in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.627) and total home runs (23). Also working in Arrieta's favor: Chicago leads the Majors with a .740 defensive efficiency ratio.

Jeff Samardzija: With a 3.33 ERA and a 1.14 WHIP, the right-hander has excelled since joining the Giants in the offseason. Samardzija could continue to dominate when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Dodgers lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .692 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.