Scherzer, Greinke set to excel Saturday

Beyond aces, Harper, Posey primed to be among day's top picks

June 17th, 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 Saturday.
Jose Altuve:   With a lifetime .355/.403/.505 slash line against left-handers, the diminutive second baseman has proven to be among the best in baseball in those matchups. Altuve has the plate skills to reach base often against Reds rookie southpaw Cody Reed and the speed to swipe a base against Tucker Barnhart, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher in 2016.
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George Springer: With a lifetime .898 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .790 mark vs. righties, the outfielder will be set to put his premium lineup spot to good use when he faces Reed (first career start). Springer could also excel late in the game against a Reds relief corps that ranks last in the Majors with a 6.15 ERA.

Chris Davis: Since the start of 2013, Davis has used a patient, powerful approach to build a .258/.371/.578 slash line against right-handers. The first baseman could rip a round-tripper when he hits at home against Blue Jays righty R.A. Dickey (1.3 HR/9 rate in 2016), as Camden Yards has proven to be especially power-inducing for left-handed batters such as Davis.
Bryce Harper: Since the beginning of 2015, the outfielder has posted a game-changing .312/.458/.638 slash line against right-handers. Harper could post a substantial DraftKings total when he tangles with righty Colin Rea (career 5.01 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.57 ERA.
Daniel Murphy: With an overall .359/.402/.592 slash line, the second baseman has been one of the most productive players at his premium position this season. Murphy could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .801 OPS against right-handers (.684 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Rea (5.37 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 2016).

Buster Posey: With a lifetime .328/.372/.482 slash line against left-handers, the catcher has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. From the heart of the Giants lineup, Posey could provide premier production at a premium position when he tangles with Rays southpaw Matt Moore (5.05 ERA, 1.38 WHIP in 2016).
Lorenzo Cain: With a lifetime .832 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .722 mark vs. righties, the outfielder could thrive in a matchup against southpaw Matt Boyd (career 6.72 ERA, 1.52 WHIP) and a Tigers bullpen that ranks 24th in the Majors with a 4.30 ERA.
Nolan Arenado: The third baseman -- who has homered 20 times across 248 at-bats this season -- will be in position to display his power when he brings his lifetime .293/.362/.523 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with Marlins fly-ball-prone lefty Wei-Yin Chen (career 4.20 FIP, 1.3 HR/9 rate).
Curtis Granderson: As a big leaguer, the outfielder has registered an .860 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .693 mark vs. lefties. Hitting leadoff, Granderson could maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs against rookie righty Aaron Blair (7.59 ERA, 1.81 WHIP) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.56 ERA.

Michael Conforto: The second-year outfielder owns lopsided lifetime splits, with an .896 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .287 mark vs. lefties. Conforto could post a difference-making DraftKings total when he tangles with Blair (5.72 FIP) and an unreliable Braves bullpen.
Neil Walker: With 14 homers across 211 at-bats, the second baseman has been one of the most powerful players at his premium position this season. The owner of a lifetime .799 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .685 mark vs. lefties, Walker could excel against the inexperienced Blair.
Brian McCann: One of the most powerful players at his premium position, McCann could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .820 OPS against right-handers (.751 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Ricky Nolasco (career 4.57 ERA, 1.32 WHIP). McCann could also have success late in the game against a Twins bullpen that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.57 ERA.
Didi Gregorius: Gregorius could provide cost-effective production at the shortstop position when he takes his lifetime .720 OPS against right-handers (.605 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Nolasco (5.12 ERA, 1.31 WHIP in 2016). Also of note: Gregorius will attempt to put balls into play against a Minnesota squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .658 defensive efficiency ratio.
Danny Salazar: With a 3.09 ERA, a 1.13 WHIP and a 9.9 K/9 rate since the outset of 2015, the right-hander has the skills to spin a gem when he faces a White Sox lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .693 OPS against righties.
Max Scherzer: Having produced a 3.00 ERA, a 1.02 WHIP and a 10.5 K/9 rate since the beginning of 2013, the right-hander is among the most dominant starters in baseball. Scherzer could deliver a stellar start when he works at pitcher-friendly Petco Park against a Padres lineup that ranks last in baseball with a .643 OPS against righties.

Steven Matz: With a 2.56 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP across 17 career starts, the left-hander has already emerged as a trusted option for DraftKings participants. Matz could combine six-plus effective innings with several strikeouts when he faces a Braves lineup that ranks last in the Majors in OPS vs. lefties (.577) and total home runs (29).
Zack Greinke: After posting a remarkable 1.66 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP in 2015, the right-hander has turned around a slow start to this season by registering a 2.05 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP across his past six starts. Greinke could continue to show his top form when he faces a Phillies lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .662 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.