Blue Jays projected to swing strong vs. Orioles
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Tuesday.
Jose Bautista (Blue Jays): Since the outset of the 2010 season, the outfielder has used a patient, powerful approach to build a .268/.389/.559 slash line against right-handers. On Tuesday, Bautista could rip a round-tripper when he visits homer-happy Camden Yards to face righty Miguel Gonzalez (4.85 ERA, 1.38 WHIP in 2015).
Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays): From the cleanup spot in the highest-scoring lineup in baseball, the first baseman will be poised to drive in multiple runs when he faces Gonzalez (career 4.70 FIP) at Baltimore's hitter-friendly venue. Since Aug. 1, Encarnacion has hit .339 with 16 homers and 49 RBIs across 165 at-bats.
Ryan Goins (Blue Jays): The shortstop owns a lifetime .624 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .527 mark vs. lefties. Goins -- who has posted a .348 on-base percentage since Aug. 26 -- could have success against Gonzalez, who will be making his first start since Aug. 30 due to a right shoulder injury.
Yoenis Cespedes (Mets): Since joining the Mets' lineup on Aug. 1, the outfielder has compiled 17 homers and 44 RBIs across 218 at-bats. Cespedes -- who owns balanced career splits -- could post a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he bats at offense-inducing Citizens Bank Park against right-hander David Buchanan (7.96 ERA, 1.94 WHIP in 2015).
Video: ATL@NYM: Cespedes legs out a triple in the 3rd
Curtis Granderson (Mets): From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder will be in position to improve on his lifetime .860 OPS against right-handers (.696 vs. lefties) when he faces Buchanan at Philadelphia's hitter-friendly venue. Also of note: Granderson and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .667 defensive efficiency ratio.
Daniel Murphy (Mets): The second baseman has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .784 OPS (.675 vs. lefties). Murphy could be part of a Mets stack -- with Cespedes, Granderson, outfielder Michael Conforto and first baseman Lucas Duda -- against Buchanan (career 5.22 ERA, 1.52 WHIP.
Video: MIL@STL: Carpenter's solo shot gives Cards the lead
Bryce Harper (Nationals): Hitting .336 with 41 homers across 503 at-bats, the outfielder has been among the best hitters in baseball this season. Harper could produce a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he faces rookie righty Matt Wisler (5.40 ERA, 1.58 WHIP) and a Braves bullpen that ranks last in the Majors with a 4.78 ERA.
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): With 30 homers and 17 steals across 673 plate appearances, the first baseman possesses a diverse skill set that is matched by few players at his position. Rizzo could produce in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .848 OPS against right-handers (.760 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Reds rookie righty Josh Smith (7.23 ERA, 1.90 WHIP).
Kyle Schwarber (Cubs): With 16 homers across 214 at-bats, the rookie outfielder -- who also qualifies at catcher in DraftKings contests -- has been a major contributor to many recent DraftKings squads. Schwarber could display his power when he faces Smith (6.30 FIP) at homer-happy Great American Ball Park.
Chris Coghlan (Cubs): With 16 homers, 11 steals and 62 runs across 485 plate appearances, the outfielder -- who also qualifies at second base in DraftKings contests -- is in the final days of a productive season. With a career .785 OPS against right-handers (.629 vs. lefties), Coghlan has the plate skills to thrive against Smith. He could also swipe a base against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted 12 of 68 would-be basestealers this season.
Video: CHC@PHI: Coghlan legs out a triple in the 1st
David Peralta (D-backs): Wrapping up a breakout season, the outfielder is hitting .307 with 17 homers and 77 RBIs across 456 at-bats. Peralta could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .889 OPS against right-handers (.607 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Christian Bergman (career 5.24 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 29th in the Majors with a 4.74 ERA.
Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers): With a season-to-date 11.5 K/9 rate and a 1.95 ERA since the outset of 2013, the left-hander is arguably the best pitcher in baseball. Kershaw has the skills to spin a gem when he travels to pitcher-friendly AT&T Park to face the Giants.
Robbie Ray (D-backs): With a 5-12 record and a 1.30 WHIP this year, Ray could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he works at home against the Rockies. Colorado ranks 25th in the Majors with a .673 OPS against southpaws and sits last in baseball with a .650 OPS in road contests.
Video: ARI@LAD: Ray fans seven over six scoreless innings
Jorge Lopez (Brewers): It will take a leap of faith, but DraftKings participants can consider Lopez for his Major League debut at pitcher-friendly Petco Park. The right-hander was the Brewers' Minor League Pitcher of the Year in 2015 after posting a 2.26 ERA across 24 Double-A starts, and he will face a Padres lineup that ranks 27th in baseball with a .692 OPS against righties.
Bartolo Colon (Mets): Since Aug. 26, the right-hander has posted an impressive 1.65 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP across 43 2/3 innings. Colon could continue to limit the opposition when he faces a Phillies lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .678 OPS against righties. On Tuesday, he may come away with a win if his impressive supporting cast can have success against Buchanan.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Sunday's games.