Mariners, O's bats set to open weekend well
Astros' Correa, Rangers' Hamels could also rank among day's top picks
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 on Friday.
Robinson Canó: Hitting .292 with 33 homers and 90 RBIs across 613 at-bats, the veteran second baseman continues to be one of the most productive players at his premium position. Cano could post a substantial DraftKings total when he brings his lofty lifetime .887 OPS against right-handers (.779 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Kyle Gibson (career 4.59 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.54 ERA.
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Kyle Seager: With 29 homers and 95 RBIs across 556 at-bats, the third baseman has quietly been one of the most powerful players in the American League this season. Seager could display his power when he takes his lifetime 129 wRC+ against right-handers (100 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Gibson (5.10 ERA, 1.55 WHIP in 2016) and an unreliable Twins bullpen.
Seth Smith: The outfielder owns notable lifetime splits, with a .358 wOBA against right-handers in comparison to a .267 mark vs. lefties. Smith could have a great game when he faces the right-handed Gibson and a Twins squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .664 defensive efficiency ratio.
Chris Davis: With 85 homers since the outset of 2015, the first baseman is arguably the most powerful player in baseball. Davis could put another ball into the outfield seats at his hitter-friendly home park when he faces righty Shelby Miller (6.90 ERA, 1.74 WHIP in 2016) and a D-backs bullpen that ranks last in baseball with a 5.06 ERA.
Jonathan Schoop: Having hit 24 homers across 577 at-bats this season, the second baseman has proven to be one of the most powerful players at his premium position. Schoop could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .758 OPS against right-handers (.595 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Miller (5.14 FIP in 2016) and a D-backs squad that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .665 defensive efficiency ratio.
Adam Jones: The outfielder owns notable splits this season, with an .830 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .578 mark vs. lefties. Jones could be part of a productive lineup against the right-handed Miller on Friday, as the Orioles rank third in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.787) and seventh in OPS at home (.781).
Carlos Correa: This season, the second-year shortstop has registered a .844 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .754 mark vs. lefties. From the heart of the lineup, Correa could drive in multiple runs when he faces Angels rookie righty Alex Meyer (7.23 ERA, 1.93 WHIP).
Edwin Encarnacion: With 42 homers and 123 RBIs across 568 at-bats, the first baseman has been arguably the most powerful player in baseball this season. Encarnacion could add to his impressive 2016 totals when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against Yankees righty Bryan Mitchell (career 5.47 ERA, 1.65 WHIP).
Devon Travis: Hitting leadoff, the second baseman could reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .838 OPS against right-handers (.753 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Mitchell and a Yankees bullpen that lacks reliable options after trading Aroldis Chapman and Andrew Miller in late July.
Andrew McCutchen: The outfielder has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has logged a lifetime 161 wRC+ (134 vs. righties). McCutchen could have a great game when he faces Nationals southpaw Gio Gonzalez, who has logged a 5.63 ERA across his past eight starts.
Francisco Cervelli: The catcher will be poised to provide production at a premium position when he brings his lifetime .823 OPS against left-handers (.703 vs. righties) into a matchup with the left-handed Gonzalez, who has posted a 4.13 ERA and a 1.36 WHIP since the outset of 2015.
Jordy Mercer: As a big leaguer, Mercer has produced a solid .860 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .647 mark vs. righties. The shortstop could thrive against the left-handed Gonzalez, who this season has allowed right-handed hitters such as Mercer to post a .747 OPS (.632 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Christian Yelich: The outfielder will be in prime position to reach base often when he takes his lifetime .365 wOBA against right-handers (.307 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Matt Wisler (career 4.84 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 21st in baseball with a 4.07 ERA. In his career, Wisler has allowed left-handed hitters such as Yelich to post an .864 OPS (.693 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Denard Span: With a lifetime .760 OPS against right-handers (.699 vs. lefties), the outfielder has the plate skills to reach base often against righty Edwin Jackson (6.00 ERA, 1.61 WHIP in 2016) and a Padres bullpen that ranks 23rd in baseball with a 4.13 ERA. Span also has the speed to swipe a base against Derek Norris, who has allowed more steals than any other catcher in 2016.
Albert Suárez: With a respectable 4.16 ERA this season, the right-hander could be a cost-effective second starter when he tangles with a Padres lineup that ranks last in baseball with a .674 OPS against righties.
Cole Hamels: Having produced a lifetime 3.32 ERA, the left-hander has the skills to spin a gem when he vacates his hitter-friendly home park and works at offense-suppressing Oakland Coliseum against an A's lineup that ranks 25th in baseball with a .693 OPS against southpaws.
Drew Pomeranz: With a 4.91 ERA as a member of the Red Sox, the left-hander could have a reduced price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his solid in-season 3.40 ERA into a matchup against the Rays at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. Since trading away right-handed hitters Steve Pearce and Brandon Guyer at the Aug. 1 Trade Deadline, Tampa Bay ranks 24th in baseball with a .657 OPS against southpaws.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.