Harper in position to build on torrid start
Arrieta, Betts could join reigning NL MVP as day's top performers
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 Wednesday.
Jose Abreu: With a lifetime .298/.356/.537 slash line against right-handers, the first baseman could go deep at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre -- which provides an extra power boost to righty hitters -- when he faces Blue Jays fly-ball-prone righty Marco Estrada (career 1.3 HR/9 rate).
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Daniel Murphy: As a big leaguer, Murphy has produced a .788 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .686 mark vs. lefties. The second baseman -- who has registered a 1.100 OPS this season -- could drive in multiple runs when he faces righty Jeremy Hellickson (career 4.42 FIP) and a Phillies relief corps that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 5.26 ERA.
Bryce Harper: Since the outset of 2015, the outfielder has logged an eye-popping .332/.463/.705 slash line against right-handers. Hitting .323 with nine homers across 62 at-bats this season, Harper will be poised to post an impactful point total in DraftKings contests when he faces the righty Hellickson (4.87 ERA, 1.36 WHIP since the outset of 2013) and a shaky Phillies bullpen.
Mookie Betts: From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder could excel when he brings balanced career splits into a matchup with righty Bud Norris (career 4.49 ERA, 1.41 WHIP) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 22nd in the Majors with a 4.34 ERA. Betts could also swipe a base against A.J. Pierzynski or Tyler Flowers, as both catchers ranked among the top 10 catchers in steals allowed in 2015.
Michael Conforto: Since making his big league debut on July 24, 2015, the outfielder has posted notable splits that include a .929 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .542 mark vs. lefties. Conforto could have a great game when he faces righty Jon Moscot (career 4.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) and a Reds relief corps that ranks last in the Majors with a 6.25 ERA.
Lucas Duda:
Duda has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he owns a lifetime .840 OPS (.669 vs. lefties). The first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he bats against the right-handed Moscot (career 6.72 FIP) and a shaky Reds bullpen.
Neil Walker: Hitting .301 with eight homers across 73 at-bats this season, the second baseman will bring a red-hot bat into a matchup against the inexperienced righty Moscot (career 22 1/3 innings). In his career, Walker has logged an .800 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .678 mark vs. lefties.
Delino DeShields: Hitting out of the leadoff spot, DeShields may maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs when he brings his lifetime .740 OPS against left-handers (.697 vs. righties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Yankees southpaw CC Sabathia (4.83 ERA, 1.42 WHIP since the outset of 2013).
Elvis Andrus: As a big leaguer, Andrus has posted a .721 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .664 mark vs. righties. The shortstop could provide production at a premium position when he faces the lefty Sabathia, who has logged a 4.78 ERA and a 1.46 WHIP since the outset of 2015.
Adrian Beltre: Since joining the Rangers at the outset of 2011, the third baseman has produced an impressive .314/.386/.539 slash line against left-handers and a .336/.385/.575 slash line at his offense-inducing home park. Beltre could rip a round-tripper or drive in multiple runs when he faces Sabathia (4.64 FIP in 2015).
Ryan Raburn: The outfielder has notable career splits, with an .831 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .696 mark vs. righties. Raburn -- who has logged a 1.024 OPS against southpaws since the outset of 2015 -- could put a ball into the outfield seats at homer-happy Coors Field when he faces Pirates lefty Jonathon Niese (career 1.36 WHIP).
Nolan Arenado: In his career, the third baseman has fared best when facing left-handers (.289/.355/.521 slash line) and when batting at his hitter-friendly home park (.307/.348/.563 slash line). Set to face the southpaw Niese (4.44 FIP in 2015) at Coors Field, Arenado -- who has hit seven homers across 73 at-bats this season -- could be worth a major expenditure in DraftKings contests.
Gregory Polanco: With substantial lifetime splits that include a .737 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .530 mark vs. lefties, the outfielder could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces righty Jon Gray (career 5.91 ERA, 1.64 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Polanco could also thrive late in the game against a Rockies relief corps that ranks 29th in the Majors with a 5.69 ERA.
Jake Arrieta: Dating back to Aug. 4, 2015, Arrieta has thrown two no-hitters and logged a 0.53 ERA and a 0.64 WHIP across 16 starts. The right-hander could have a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he works at home against the Brewers in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Taylor Jungmann (career 4.36 ERA).
Gio Gonzalez: The left-hander will be poised to spin a gem when he brings his lifetime 3.58 ERA and 8.8 K/9 rate into a home matchup against the Phillies, who rank 29th in baseball with a .531 OPS against southpaws.
Chris Young: The extreme-fly-ball right-hander -- who owns a 3.52 ERA and a 1.16 WIHP since joining the Royals at the outset of 2015 -- could be a solid second starter in DraftKings contests when he faces the Angels on Wednesday. Los Angeles' AL club ranks last in the Majors with a .574 OPS against righties.
Steven Wright: With a lifetime 3.36 ERA when working as a starter, Wright could be a serviceable second starter in DraftKings contests when he gets away from facing deep American League lineups and works against the Braves. Of note: Atlanta sits 28th baseball with a .617 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Monday's games.