DraftKings picks: CarGo, Pagan, etc.
Major League Baseball packed plenty of excitement into Opening Day, but it was just a small sample of the six-month roller-coaster ride that we will all enjoy. Below, you'll find a handful of players who could help your DraftKings lineup on Tuesday.
Justin Morneau, Rockies: The first baseman owns a career .896 OPS vs. right-handers such as Brewers scheduled starter Matt Garza. By comparison, he has fared much worse vs. lefties, against whom he owns a lifetime .704 OPS. Morneau should hit out of the cleanup spot, which would put him in the middle of a productive offense in hitter-friendly Miller Park.
Carlos Gonzalez, Rockies: The outfielder owns a lofty career .918 OPS vs. right-handers -- much higher than his lifetime .780 mark against southpaws -- which makes him an excellent candidate against the righty Garza on Tuesday. CarGo should hit in front of fellow studs Troy Tulowitzki and Morneau, so don't be surprised if he scores several runs in Tuesday's contest.
Adam Lind, Brewers: The lefty-slugging first baseman has ripped 125 of his 146 career homers against right-handers, which makes him a strong candidate to knock one out against righty Jordan Lyles in his hitter-friendly home park on Tuesday.
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Scooter Gennett, Brewers: In his young career, Gennett has produced all 15 of his homers and seven of his eight steals against right-handers. On Tuesday, the second baseman could reach base multiple times vs. Rockies hurlers and swipe a bag against catcher Nick Hundley, who has thrown out just 27 percent of basestealers in his career.
Video: SF@ARI: Pagan hits an RBI single to center
Angel Pagan, Giants: Pagan has long performed at his best against right-handers -- posting a career .776 OPS against them, compared to a .706 mark vs. lefty hurlers. With this in mind, he could be in for a strong game as the Giants are slated to face D-backs righty Rubby De La Rosa, the owner of a career 1.46 WHIP. Pagan should hit third in this contest at hitter-friendly Chase Field, meaning he could play a major role in a high-scoring game.
Brandon Belt, Giants: DraftKings participants may be wise to stack Belt with Pagan, in hopes that Belt -- who hits behind Pagan -- can tally some extra-base hits off De La Rosa. The first baseman owns a career .795 OPS against right-handers, which suggests that he could be a key cog in a productive offense.
Ike Davis, A's: Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis (4.84 career ERA) has allowed an .829 OPS in his career vs. left-handed hitters. As a result, Davis -- who has hit 66 of his 78 career long balls off righties -- will have a significant platoon advantage on Tuesday.
Video: TEX@OAK: Vogt goes yard with three-run homer to right
Stephen Vogt, A's: Like Davis, the left-handed-batting Vogt could present a difficult matchup for Lewis due to his career .718 OPS vs. right-handers (compared to a .632 mark against lefties). Additionally, Lewis has often struggled with lefty hitters, against whom he has allowed a lifetime .829 OPS (.732 OPS vs. righty batters). Strong catcher matchups can be hard to find in DraftKings, but Vogt is a terrific player to target because of the A's overall chances of offensive success in the game.
Sam Fuld, A's: Fuld could be the third piece of an effective stack for DraftKings participants, as the outfielder could pounce on the right-handed Lewis, he of a high career ERA and longstanding struggles vs. left-handed hitters. The outfielder could also run the bases aggressively, as he has collected 49 of his 58 career steals with a right-hander on the mound.
Video: TEX@OAK: Fuld hustles around the bases with a triple
Rickie Weeks, Mariners: Weeks will almost certainly be in the lineup, as Angels left-hander C.J. Wilson has allowed a career .726 OPS against right-handed hitters as opposed to a .555 mark vs. lefty swingers. Weeks could hit leadoff, which would make him a candidate to score multiple runs if Wilson cannot reverse a 2014 decline that saw him post a 4.51 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.
Justin Ruggiano, Mariners: The expected right-handed-hitting side of a right-field platoon, Ruggiano should be in the lineup vs. the left-handed Wilson. The right-handed slugger owns a career .838 OPS against lefties, which far exceeds his .704 mark vs. right-handers.
Nelson Cruz, Mariners: Because he owns a career .886 OPS vs. lefties, the right-handed slugger will present a tough matchup for Wilson. Cruz should hit cleanup, which could put him in the heart of a high-scoring offense.
Zack Greinke, Dodgers: Greinke is 19-4 with a 2.31 ERA in 30 career starts at pitcher-friendly Dodger Stadium, and he should manage to control a Padres lineup that is weak in several spots despite an offseason overhaul.
Jesse Hahn, A's: The right-hander is coming off a strong rookie season in 2014, when he posted a 3.07 ERA with 70 K's in 73 1/3 innings. And because the A's could score several runs off the Rangers' Lewis, Hahn has a great chance to win Tuesday in pitcher-friendly O.co Coliseum.
Wei-Yin Chen, Orioles: Chen took a step forward with a 16-6 record and a 3.54 ERA last season, and he should get off to a great start in 2015 with a matchup against an underwhelming Rays lineup at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field. Chen should have a good chance to earn a win, as he will be facing a pitcher -- Nate Karns -- who has a 6.00 ERA in five career starts.