Tigers bats could excel vs. Pirates

Cano, Lester also represent strong picks for Monday

April 10th, 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 Monday.
Robinson Cano: During an incredibly productive career, Cano has logged an impressive .317/.365/.524 slash line against right-handers. Hitting out of the heart of a Mariners lineup that includes many key pieces who excel vs. righties, the second baseman could have great success against Rangers right-hander Colby Lewis (career 4.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP).

Adam Lind: Lind has long favored matchups vs. right-handers, against whom he has logged a lifetime .861 OPS (.585 vs. lefties). Utilizing a Mariners stack against Lewis (4.66 ERA in 2015) that includes some combination of Lind, Cano, outfielder Seth Smith and third baseman Kyle Seager would be a wise strategy.
James McCann: McCann could provide DraftKings participants with production at a premium position when he brings his lifetime .853 OPS against left-handers (.606 vs. righties) into a matchup vs. Pirates southpaw Jon Niese (career 1.36 WHIP).
Ian Kinsler: Hitting out of the leadoff spot in a powerful Tigers lineup, Kinsler could score multiple runs when he takes his lifetime .307/.374/.508 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with Niese, who posted a 4.13 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP in 2015.
Justin Upton: With a lifetime .884 OPS against left-handers in comparison to an .805 mark against righties, Upton could have great success against Niese. The outfielder could be part of a Tigers stack that may include McCann, Kinsler and outfielder J.D. Martinez. In 2015, Detroit ranked second in the Majors with an .806 OPS against southpaws.
Maikel Franco: The third baseman could rip a round-tripper when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against righty Andrew Cashner (4.34 ERA, 1.44 WHIP in 2015) and a Padres relief corps that lacks reliable options. In his career, Franco has posted a .287/.332/.481 slash line against righties.
Ryan Howard: Howard has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has registered a lifetime .283/.373/.567 slash line. The first baseman could put a ball into the outfield seats when he hits at home against Cashner -- who allowed five runs over four innings in his first start this year -- and a suspect Padres relief corps.
Bryce Harper: After hitting .330 with 42 homers and a 1.109 OPS in 2015, Harper has established himself as arguably the most potent offensive force in baseball. The outfielder could post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he faces Braves righty Bud Norris, who logged a 6.72 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP last season.

Daniel Murphy: Murphy could flash his power or reach base often when he brings his lifetime .783 OPS against right-handers (.681 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Norris (career 4.44 ERA, 1.40 WHIP). The second baseman could also have success against an unsettled Braves bullpen that ranked 29th in the Majors with a 4.67 ERA in 2015.
Dexter Fowler: Set to spark one of baseball's best lineups from his leadoff spot, the outfielder could produce in multiple ways (17 homers, 20 steals in 2015) when he takes on Reds left-hander Brandon Finnegan (career 4.15 FIP). In his career, the switch-hitting Fowler has registered an .834 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .765 mark vs. righties.
Ben Zobrist: Hitting out of the heart of the Cubs lineup, the second baseman could thrive when he brings his lifetime .822 OPS against left-handers (.771 vs. righties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Finnegan (61 career innings). The switch-hitting Zobrist could also excel late in the game against a Reds relief corps that lacks reliable options.
Stephen Vogt: Vogt has succeeded more frequently against righties than lefties during his career, registering a lifetime .761 OPS in those matchups (.654 against southpaws). The backstop could deliver quality production at a premium position when he faces Angels righty Nick Tropeano, who has made just 12 big league appearances and recorded a career 4.10 ERA.
Sonny Gray: One of the most effective starters in the Junior Circuit, Gray owns a lifetime 2.86 ERA and 1.13 WHIP. The right-hander has the skills to post a notable total in DraftKings contests when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against an Angels lineup that lacks impact bats outside of Mike Trout and Albert Pujols.
Jon Lester: Lester followed up an excellent debut season with the Cubs (3.34 ERA, 1.12 WHIP, 9.1 K/9 rate) by tossing seven innings of one-run ball in his initial start of 2016. Backed by a strong supporting cast, the left-hander could spin a gem when he pitches at home against the Reds in a seemingly-advantageous matchup vs. Finnegan.

Chris Young: Since joining the Royals at the outset of last season, Young has produced a 3.09 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP. The right-hander could compile several effective innings and strikeouts when he faces an Astros lineup that ranked second in the Majors with 1,392 K's in 2015.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.