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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.
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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.