Beasts of the East could open weekend hot

Harper, Big Papi set to excel during series-opening matchups

April 14th, 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 today.
Bryce Harper: Arguably the best hitter in baseball, Harper has posted a .327/.458/.648 slash line since the outset of 2015. The outfielder could post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime .954 OPS against right-handers (.789 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Jeremy Hellickson (4.76 ERA, 1.34 WHIP since the outset of 2013) at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park.
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Daniel Murphy: In his career, Murphy has produced a .787 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .683 mark vs. lefties. The second baseman could drive in multiple runs when travels to an offense-inducing venue to face the righty Hellickson (4.62 ERA, 1.33 WHIP in 2015) and a Phillies bullpen that lacks reliable options.
Justin Bour: The first baseman owns lopsided lifetime splits, with an .822 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .594 mark vs. lefties. Bour could drive in multiple runs when he faces Braves righty Williams Perez (career 4.90 ERA, 1.54 WHIP).
Christian Yelich: Hitting out of the three-hole, Yelich could reach base often or score multiple runs when he faces Perez (career 5.05 FIP) and an unsettled Braves bullpen that ranked 29th in the Majors in 2015 with a 4.67 ERA. In his career, Yelich has registered an .808 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .701 mark vs. lefties.

Dee Gordon: With balanced career splits, Gordon -- who hit .333 with 58 steals in 2015 -- has the plate skills to thrive against Perez and the Atlanta relief corps. The second baseman could also steal a base against A.J. Pierzynski or Tyler Flowers, as both catchers were among the top-10 in steals allowed last season.
Craig Gentry: Gentry has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has produced a lifetime .719 OPS (.631 vs. lefties). The outfielder could be a cost-effective option for DraftKings participants when he tangles with Twins southpaw Tommy Milone (career 4.24 FIP, 1.30 WHIP). He could also swipe a base against Kurt Suzuki, who allowed more steals than all but two catchers in 2015.
Prince Fielder: From the heart of the Ranges lineup, Fielder could display his power when he brings his lifetime .957 OPS against right-handers (.788 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Orioles righty Vance Worley (career 1.39 WHIP).
Nomar Mazara: Since arriving to the Majors on April 10, Mazara -- who posted a .296/.366/.443 slash line in the Minors in 2015 -- has produced a .375/.389/.563 slash line. The left-handed-hitting outfielder could use his strong plate skills and premium lineup spot to reach base often or score multiple runs against Worley.

Matt Wieters: Wieters will be poised to provide production at a premium position when he takes his lifetime .817 OPS against left-handers (.711 vs. righties) into a matchup with Rangers southpaw Martin Perez (career 4.19 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
Mark Trumbo: The outfielder could display his power at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington when he brings his lifetime .828 OPS against left-handers (.735 vs. righties) into a matchup with the lefty Perez. In his career, Perez has allowed right-handed hitters such as Trumbo to post a .768 OPS (.659 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Colby Rasmus: Having hit 28 homers since the outset of the 2015 season, Rasmus could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he hits at home against Tigers right-hander Mike Pelfrey (career 4.55 ERA, 1.49 WHIP). As a big leaguer, the outfielder owns a lifetime .790 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .675 mark vs. lefties.
Jason Castro: The catcher has produced pronounced career splits, with a .750 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .544 mark vs. lefties. Set to hit at home against the right-handed Pelfrey, Castro will be in position to provide DraftKings participants with cost-effective production at a premium position.
David Ortiz: In his prolific career, Ortiz has logged an impressive .293/.396/.580 slash line against right-handers. Having produced a .324/.402/.710 slash line since the All-Star break in 2015, the slugger will be poised to reach base often or display his power when he faces Blue Jays right-hander R.A. Dickey (4.45 FIP in 2015).
Wei-Yin Chen: Despite dealing with hitter-friendly Camden Yards and deep American League lineups, Chen produced a 3.72 ERA across four seasons with the Orioles. The left-hander could thrive in the Senior Circuit, and he will be primed to spin a gem when he works at home against a Braves lineup that does not include a single player who homered 20 times last season.

Carlos Martinez: In 2015, the right-hander produced a 3.01 ERA across his first season working primarily as a starter. Working at home and in front of a Cardinals squad that won 100 games a year ago, Martinez could post a significant total in DraftKings contests when he faces the Reds in a seemingly advantageous matchup with righty Tim Melville.
Zack Greinke: DraftKings participants may avoid Greinke due to his season-to-date 9.90 ERA, but the right-hander -- who posted a 1.66 ERA and a 0.84 WHIP in 2015 -- could get his campaign on track when he travels to pitcher-friendly Petco Park to face the Padres. San Diego's lineup possesses just one player (Matt Kemp) who exceeded the 15-homer mark last year.
Clayton Kershaw: The consensus choice as the most dominant pitcher in baseball, Kershaw has produced a 1.90 ERA, a 0.88 WHIP and a 10.4 K/9 rate since the outset of 2013. The left-hander could be worth a major expenditure in DraftKings contests when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Giants.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.