McCann duo in line to post big numbers

Kershaw, Arenado join catchers as solid picks for Saturday

April 8th, 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 Saturday.
James McCann: The catcher will be poised to provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he faces Yankees southpaw CC Sabathia (4.81 ERA, 1.40 WHIP since the outset of 2013). In his career, McCann has posted an .858 OPS against left-handers (.609 vs. righties).
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Ian Kinsler: From a premium lineup spot, Kinsler could reach base often and score multiple runs when he tangles with Sabathia (4.73 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 2015). The second baseman owns a lifetime .882 OPS against left-handers that compares favorably to his .760 mark vs. righties.

Justin Upton: Hitting out of the two-hole in Detroit's powerful lineup, Upton could post a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime .886 OPS against left-handers (.805 vs. righties) into a matchup against Sabathia (4.65 FIP in 2015).
Colby Rasmus: Coming off arguably his most powerful season (25 homers across 432 at-bats), Rasmus will be poised to rip a round-tripper when he travels to hitter-friendly Miller Park to face Wily Peralta (career 4.06 ERA, 1.39 WHIP). As a big leaguer, Rasmus has registered a .785 OPS against right-handers (.675 vs. lefties).
Derek Norris: The catcher could post a game-changing total at a premium position when he puts his lifetime .840 OPS against left-handers (.642 vs. righties) to the test against southpaw Jorge De La Rosa at offense-inducing Coors Field. In his career, De La Rosa has allowed right-handed hitters such as Norris to post a .793 OPS (.637 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Matt Kemp: The cornerstone of the Padres' lineup, Kemp compiled 23 homers, 100 RBIs and 12 steals last season. The outfielder could excel at a hitter-friendly home venue when he brings his lifetime .325/.386/.546 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with De La Rosa (career 4.57 ERA, 1.43 WHIP).

Alexei Ramirez: With a lifetime .292/.332/.432 slash line against left-handers, Ramirez has the plate skills to thrive against De La Rosa (4.17 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 2015) at a hitter-friendly road park. Ramirez could also swipe a base against catcher Nick Hundley, who sometimes struggles to thwart opposing basestealers.
Didi Gregorius: With a career .735 OPS against right-handers that notably exceeds his .557 mark vs. lefties, Gregorius could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he faces Tigers righty Mike Pelfrey (lifetime 4.52 ERA, 1.48 WHIP).
Brian McCann: The catcher has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has registered a lifetime .825 OPS (.755 vs. southpaws). McCann -- who led all catchers with 26 homers in 2015 -- could drive in multiple runs when he tangles with Pelfrey (4.26 ERA, 1.48 WHIP in 2015).
Ryan Raburn: Raburn owns lopsided lifetime splits, with a .830 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .693 mark vs. righties. The outfielder -- who posted a 1.004 OPS against lefties last season -- could rip a round-tripper or drive in multiple runs when he bats at his long-ball-happy home park against Padres southpaw Drew Pomeranz (career 4.07 ERA, 1.34 WHIP).
Nolan Arenado: After compiling 42 homers and 130 RBIs in 2015, Arenado has established himself as one of the premier sluggers in baseball. Batting at his offense-inducing home park, the third baseman could post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime .288/.349/.504 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with Pomeranz, who made 44 of his 53 appearances in 2015 as a reliever.

Clayton Kershaw: The left-hander -- who owns a 1.90 ERA and a 0.88 WHIP since the outset of 2013 -- reminded DraftKings participants of his dominance when he held the Padres to one hit across seven scoreless innings on Opening Day. Kershaw will be poised to silence the opposition when he takes on the Giants at pitcher-friendly AT&T Park.
Carlos Martinez: After posting a 3.01 ERA in his first season working primarily as a starter, Martinez could get his 2016 campaign off to a spectacular start when he travels to offense-suppressing Turner Field to face a Braves lineup that does not include a single player who hit 20 homers in 2015.
Chris Sale: With a lifetime 2.92 ERA, 1.07 WHIP and 10.3K/9 rate, the left-hander is arguably the most dominant hurler on the Junior Circuit. Sale could combine a handful of punchouts with a win when he works at home against the Indians in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Cody Anderson.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.