Kinsler, Votto, Hosmer poised for big games

Arrieta, Harvey among best choices from mound to close week

May 7th, 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 Sunday.
Adrian Gonzalez: With notable career splits that include an .899 OPS against right-handers and a .772 mark vs. lefties, the first baseman could display his power when he bats at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre against fly-ball-prone righty Marco Estrada (career 1.3 HR/9 rate).
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Ian Kinsler: Hitting out of the leadoff spot, Kinsler should have plenty of chances to reach base and score runs when he brings his lifetime .881 OPS against left-handers (.760 vs. righties) into a matchup with southpaw Martin Perez (career 4.15 ERA, 1.40 WHIP). The second baseman may also thrive late in the game against a Rangers relief corps that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.77 ERA.

Jose Iglesias: With notable career splits that include a .781 OPS against left-handers as opposed to a .648 mark vs. righties, the shortstop could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he tangles with the lefty Perez. In his career, Perez has allowed right-handed batters such as Iglesias to post a .767 OPS (.658 OPS allowed to lefty hitters).
J.D. Martinez: With 64 homers since the outset of 2014, the outfielder ranks among the most powerful sluggers in the American League. As a right-handed hitter with a lifetime .859 OPS against southpaws (.771 vs. righties), Martinez could rip a round-tripper or drive in multiple runs vs. the left-handed Perez (4.73 FIP, 1.37 WHIP in 2016).
Jay Bruce: The outfielder has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has logged a lifetime .810 OPS (.713 vs. lefties). Bruce could display his power when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against 31-year-old righty Junior Guerra, who will be making his second career start. He could also thrive late in the game against a Brewers bullpen that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.75 ERA.
Joey Votto: The first baseman has used a patient, powerful approach to register an impressive lifetime .315/.433/.545 slash line against right-handers. From his premium lineup spot, Votto could reach base often or flash his power when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Guerra and an inconsistent Brewers relief corps. After stealing 11 bases in 2015, he may also contribute with his legs against Jonathan Lucroy, who has allowed more steals than any other catcher this season.

Denard Span: From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder is a strong candidate to reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .762 OPS against right-handers (.707 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Eddie Butler (career 6.10 ERA, 1.75 WHIP). Span could also produce late in the game against a Rockies relief corps that sits 27th in baseball with a 4.76 ERA.
Brandon Crawford: With 25 homers since the outset of 2015, the shortstop has become one of the most powerful players at his premium position. Crawford will be in prime position to produce when he brings his balanced career splits into a matchup with the right-handed Butler and a shaky Rockies bullpen. In his career, Butler has allowed left-handed batters such as Crawford to log a lifetime 1.090 OPS (.809 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Michael Saunders: Hitting out of the leadoff spot in front of Josh Donaldson, Jose Bautista and Edwin Encarnacion, the outfielder will be poised to reach base often or score multiple runs when he faces Dodgers rookie right-hander Ross Stripling (4.33 ERA, 1.41 WHIP). In his career, Saunders has logged a .708 OPS against righties that exceeds his .660 mark vs. southpaws.
Eric Hosmer: Since the outset of 2015, the first baseman has produced an impressive .318/.386/.500 slash line against right-handers. Hosmer could put a ball into the outfield seats when he faces fly-ball-prone righty Josh Tomlin (career 1.4 HR/9 rate) at Progressive Field. The Indians' park has proven to be a power-enhancing venue for left-handed batters such as Hosmer.

Chris Davis: Since the outset of 2013, the powerful first baseman has posted a .260/.371/.587 slash line against right-handers and a .262/.359/.582 slash line at his offense-inducing home park. Davis -- who has hit 35 homers across 366 at-bats since the 2015 All-Star break -- could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he bats at Camden Yards against A's righty Kendall Graveman (career 4.11 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). Also of note: Baltimore's park is especially homer-happy for left-handed hitters such as Davis.
Jonathan Schoop: With 19 homers across 398 at-bats since the start of 2015, the second baseman has become one of the most powerful players at his premium position. Schoop could hit a homer or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .721 OPS against right-handers (.578 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park vs. the righty Graveman (4.40 ERA in 2016).
Justin Nicolino: The left-hander could be a serviceable second starter in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime 3.81 ERA and 1.21 WHIP into a matchup at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .590 OPS against southpaws.

Matt Harvey: Having logged a 4.76 ERA and a 1.56 WHIP this season, the right-hander could have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he works at pitcher-friendly Petco Park against a Padres lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .637 OPS against righties.
Jake Arrieta: The reigning NL Cy Young Award winner has been great since joining the Cubs in '13, posting a 2.14 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP across 73 starts. Those figures factor in his historically strong run across his past 18 trips to the mound, over which he's gone 17-0 with a 0.55 ERA and a 0.66 WHIP. Given that level of success, he may be worth a major DraftKings expenditure when he works at home against a Nationals lineup that ranks 19th in the Majors with a .691 OPS against righties.
Chris Tillman: With a 2.81 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP, the right-hander is enjoying a bounceback season that is well-supported by a 2.50 FIP. Tillman could continue his recent stretch of success when he faces an A's lineup that ranks 24th in the Majors with a .674 OPS against right-handers. He could also come away with a win if his powerful supporting cast has success against Graveman.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.