DraftKings: Cruz will look to reclaim HR crown

Miggy with bat, Kazmir from mound also represent strong picks

April 4th, 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.
Nelson Cruz: The only player in baseball with at least 40 homers in each of the past two seasons, Cruz could put a ball into the outfield seats at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington when he faces southpaw Martin Perez (career 4.22 ERA, 1.40 WHIP). As a big leaguer, the outfielder has registered a .920 OPS against left-handers (.817 vs. righties).
Franklin Gutierrez: The outfielder -- who hit 15 homers across 171 at-bats last season -- will be in position to thrive when he brings his lifetime .837 OPS against left-handers (.658 vs. righties) into a matchup with Perez at an offense-inducing road venue. In his career, Perez has allowed right-handed batters such as Gutierrez to post a .766 OPS (.671 OPS allowed to lefty hitters).

Chris Iannetta: DraftKings participants in search of a cost-effective catcher could set their sights on Iannetta, who will put his lifetime .860 OPS against left-handers (.714 vs. righties) on the line against Perez (4.46 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 2015).
Denard Span: Hitting out of the leadoff spot, Span may maximize his opportunities to produce when he travels to hitter-friendly Miller Park to face right-hander Jimmy Nelson (career 4.21 ERA, 1.31 WHIP). In his career, the outfielder has logged a .760 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .716 mark vs. lefties. Span could also swipe a base at the expense of catcher Jonathan Lucroy, who allowed more steals than all but four catchers in 2015.
Brandon Belt: Belt is a strong candidate to go yard at homer-happy Miller Park, as he has ripped 43 of his 63 career round-trippers at road venues. With balanced lifetime splits, the first baseman will be in prime position to thrive against Nelson (4.11 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in 2015) and a Milwaukee relief corps that lacks elite options.

Matt Duffy: Coming off a breakout season in which he posted a .310/.348/.455 slash line against right-handers, Duffy is in position to have a terrific game when he faces Nelson (4.13 FIP in 2015) and an unsettled Brewers bullpen at offense-inducing Miller Park.
Logan Morrison: Likely to hit out of a premium lineup position, Morrison could display his power when he brings his lifetime .765 OPS against right-handers (.679 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Blue Jays right-hander Aaron Sanchez. In his career, Sanchez has allowed left-handed hitters such as Morrison to post an .801 OPS (.397 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Brad Miller: The shortstop will be poised to provide production from a premium position when he takes his lifetime .753 OPS against right-handers (.574 vs. southpaws) into a matchup with Sanchez (career 4.13 FIP). Having compiled 11 homers and 13 steals across 497 plate appearances last season, Miller has proven that he can contribute in multiple ways.

Corey Dickerson: As a big leaguer, Dickerson has registered an impressive .313/.357/.579 slash line against right-handers. The outfielder could be part of a Rays stack of left-handed hitters -- along with Morrison and Miller -- against Sanchez (4.58 FIP in 2015).
David Peralta: The outfielder will be in position to excel when he brings his lifetime .320/.368/.534 slash line against right-handers into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Rockies righty Chad Bettis (career 5.22 ERA, 1.57 WHIP). Peralta could also excel late in the game against a Rockies relief corps that lacks a reliable bridge to closer Jake McGee.
Jake Lamb: Lamb has produced pronounced career splits, with a .730 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .487 mark vs. lefties. The third baseman could drive in multiple runs when he faces Bettis (4.23 ERA, 1.41 WHIP in 2015) and a suspect Rockies bullpen at his offense-inducing home park.
Jedd Gyorko: Among the most powerful middle infielders in baseball, Gyorko has logged a lifetime .776 OPS against left-handers that greatly exceeds his .658 mark vs. righties. On Tuesday, he could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he faces Pirates southpaw Jonathon Niese (career 1.36 WHIP).
Miguel Cabrera: With a lofty lifetime .318/.430/.562 slash line against left-handers, Cabrera has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The first baseman could produce a difference-making stat line in DraftKings contests when he faces Marlins southpaw Wei-Yin Chen (career 4.13 FIP, 1.2 HR/9 rate).

Jon Lester: With a 3.34 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and 207 punchouts, Lester thrived in his first season with the Cubs. The left-hander could produce a quality outing when he travels to pitcher-friendly Angel Stadium to face a Los Angeles lineup that lacks impact bats outside of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
Johnny Cueto: Cueto returns to the Senior Circuit, where he logged a 2.51 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP as a member of the Reds from 2011-15. Backed by an outstanding pitch-framer (Buster Posey) and strong defensive club, the right-hander could combine several quality frames with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Nelson.
Scott Kazmir: After posting a 3.10 ERA in the American League last season, Kazmir should have the skills to thrive in the Senior Circuit. The southpaw may spin a gem when he travels to pitcher-friendly Petco Park to face a Padres lineup that includes just one player (Matt Kemp) who hit more than 15 homers in 2015.
Jose Quintana: Among the steadiest starters in baseball, Quintana has produced an ERA between 3.32 and 3.51 in each of the past three seasons. The southpaw could be a major asset in DraftKings contests when he travels to the pitcher-friendly Coliseum to face the an A's squad that is not certain of its Tuesday starter after Sonny Gray missed his Opening Day start due to food poisoning.<o:p>
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Sunday's games.