Joey Bats, Cole could stand out Thursday

In game at Coors Field, CarGo, Crawford, Span could also excel

April 13th, 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 Thursday.
Michael Saunders: Part of a powerful Blue Jays lineup, Saunders could drive in multiple runs at his hitter-friendly home park when he faces Yankees right-hander Nathan Eovaldi (lifetime 4.14 ERA, 1.40 WHIP). In his career, Saunders has posted a .699 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .646 mark vs. lefties.
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Jose Bautista: Since the outset of 2010, Bautista has used a patient, powerful approach to build a .268/.390/.559 slash line against right-handers and a .282/.408/.597 line at his home park. The outfielder could have an outstanding game when he hits at Rogers Centre -- which is especially homer-happy for right-handed hitters such as Bautista -- against the righty Eovaldi (4.20 ERA, 1.45 WHIP in 2015).

Matt Adams: The first baseman owns lopsided lifetime splits, with an .818 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .544 mark vs. lefties. Adams could drive in multiple runs when he faces Brewers righty Wily Peralta (career 4.13 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
Kolten Wong: In his career, Wong has registered a .695 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .601 mark vs. lefties. The second baseman could reach base often against the right-handed Peralta, who has posted a 5.15 ERA and a 1.59 WHIP since the outset of 2015. He could also swipe a base against catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who ranked fifth among catchers with 70 steals allowed last season despite appearing in just 86 games.
Randal Grichuk: With 20 homers across 451 career at-bats, the outfielder is emerging as one of the most powerful young players in the National League. Grichuk could excel when he brings his lifetime .860 OPS against right-handers (.750 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the right-handed Peralta and an injury-impacted Brewers bullpen that lacks reliable left-handed options.

Matt Carpenter: From his perch atop the lineup, Carpenter could reach base often and score multiple runs when he leads the Cardinals into a matchup with the righty Peralta (career 4.38 FIP) and a suspect Brewers bullpen. In his career, the third baseman has posted an .857 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .764 mark vs. lefties.
Hunter Pence: As a big leaguer, Pence has produced an .841 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .800 mark vs. righties. The outfielder could have a great game when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park to face the southpaw Jorge De La Rosa (career 4.60 ERA, 1.44 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that ranked last in the Majors with a 4.70 ERA in 2015.
Brandon Crawford: After compiling 21 homers last season, the shortstop is regarded as one of the top power hitters at his premium position. Bringing his balanced lifetime splits to offense-inducing Coors Field, Crawford could be a key part of a Giants stack -- along with Pence -- against the lefty De La Rosa and a suspect Colorado bullpen.

Gerardo Parra: The outfielder owns pronounced career splits, with a .766 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .595 mark vs. lefties. Batting at his hitter-friendly home park, Parra could thrive against Giants righty Matt Cain (5.79 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 2015).
Nick Hundley: Since joining the Rockies at the outset of 2015, Hundley has produced a .948 OPS at his offense-inducing home park (.657 on the road). With a lifetime .734 OPS against right-handers (.612 vs. lefties), the catcher will be poised to deliver production at a premium position when he hits at home against the right-handed Cain (5.57 FIP in 2015).
Carlos Gonzalez: In his career, Gonzalez has fared best at home (.325/.382/.606 slash line) and against right-handers (.303/.367/.567 slash line). The outfielder -- who was one of nine players to reach the 40-homer mark last season -- could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he hits at home against the right-hander Cain (4.76 ERA, 1.34 WHIP since the outset of 2014).
Adam Eaton: Hitting leadoff, Eaton could reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .784 OPS against right-handers (.720 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Twins righty Ervin Santana (career 4.15 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). The outfielder could also swipe a base against Kurt Suzuki, who allowed more steals than all but two catchers in 2015.
Gerrit Cole: After registering a 2.60 ERA, a 1.09 WHIP and an 8.7 K/9 rate in 2015, Cole has established himself as one of the premier starters in the Senior Circuit. The right-hander has the skills to spin a gem when he pitches at home against a Tigers lineup that will work without the designated-hitter spot and includes several members who fare best against southpaws.
Vince Velasquez: Velasquez -- who struck out nine batters across six innings of shutout ball in his first start with the Phillies -- has posted a 9.8 K/9 rate since arriving to the Majors on June 10, 2015. The right-hander could compile a handful of whiffs and quality frames when he faces a Padres lineup that includes just one player (Matt Kemp) who hit 15 homers in 2015.

Jaime Garcia: Backed by a Cardinals team that won 100 games in 2015, Garcia -- who posted a 2.43 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP last season -- could combine 6-plus effective innings with a win in a seemingly advantageous home matchup against the Brewers' Peralta.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.