NL powerhouses could excel on Wednesday

Giants at Coors Field could join Dodgers, Cubs as day's top performers

April 12th, 2016

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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Wednesday.
Maikel Franco: In his career, the third baseman has posted an impressive .297/.340/.486 slash line against right-handers. Batting at his long-ball-friendly home park, Franco could go deep when he faces Padres righty Colin Rea (career 5.25 ERA, 1.44 WHIP).
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Adrian Gonzalez: Gonzalez has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has produced a lifetime .902 OPS (.774 vs. lefties). From the heart of the Dodgers lineup, the first baseman could thrive when he faces D-backs righty Rubby De La Rosa (career 4.61 ERA, 1.42 WHIP).

Justin Turner: Turner -- who has registered a .313 batting average and a .381 on-base percentage since joining the Dodgers at the outset of 2014 -- owns a lifetime .796 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .715 mark vs. lefties. Likely to hit out of a premium lineup spot, the third baseman could be involved in plenty of run scoring when he faces the right-hander De La Rosa (4.67 ERA, 1.36 WHIP in 2015) and a D-backs relief corps that lacks a reliable bridge to closer Brad Ziegler.
Corey Seager: One of the most talented young hitters in baseball, Seager has posted a .991 OPS against right-handers (.839 vs. lefties) since making his Major League debut on Sept. 3, 2015. The shortstop could be part of a Dodgers stack -- along with Gonzalez, Turner and outfielder Joc Pederson -- against the righty De La Rosa (career 4.60 FIP).
Denard Span: From his perch atop the lineup, Span could reach base often and score multiple runs when he leads a deep Giants lineup into hitter-friendly Coors Field to take on right-hander Jordan Lyles (career 5.15 ERA, 1.45 WHIP). In his career, the outfielder has posted a .760 OPS against right-handers (.711 vs. lefties).

Matt Duffy: Since the outset of his stellar rookie 2015 season, Duffy has registered an .803 OPS against right-handers (.643 vs. lefties). The third baseman could thrive at an offense-inducing road venue against the right-handed Lyles and a Rockies relief corps that lacks a reliable bridge to closer Jake McGee.
Brandon Belt: Having hit 46 of his 64 career homers against right-handers (and 43 of those homers on the road), Belt will be in prime position to go deep when he faces the righty Lyles (5.14 ERA, 1.49 WHIP in 2015) at a homer-happy road venue.
Brandon Crawford: After compiling 21 homers last season, the shortstop is regarded as one of the top power hitters at his premium position. Crawford could be a key part of a Giants stack -- along with Span, Duffy and Belt -- against Lyles, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Crawford to post an .820 OPS (.748 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Addison Russell: Russell has produced notable splits since arriving in the Majors on April 21, 2015, with a .744 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .519 mark vs. lefties. The shortstop -- who also qualifies at second base in DraftKings contests -- could excel in a matchup against Reds righty Alfredo Simon (career 4.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP).

Jason Heyward: As a big leaguer, the outfielder owns an .838 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .657 mark vs. lefties. From the two-hole in a loaded Cubs lineup, Heyward could have a productive evening when he faces the right-handed Simon (5.05 ERA, 1.44 WHIP in 2015) and a Reds relief corps that lacks elite options.
Anthony Rizzo: Coming off a 2015 season in which he posted 31 homers, 101 RBIs and 17 steals, Rizzo has proven that he can offer diverse production to DraftKings squads. From the heart of the Cubs lineup, the first baseman could contribute in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .268/.364/.489 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with the righty Simon (career 4.56 FIP) and an unsettled Reds bullpen.
Miguel Montero: In his career, Montero has logged a lifetime .793 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .658 mark vs. lefties. The catcher could provide DraftKings participants with production at a premium position as part of a Cubs stack -- with Rizzo, Heyward and Russell -- against the right-handed Simon.
Stephen Strasburg: With a lifetime 3.08 ERA, 1.09 WHIP and 10.4 K/9 rate, the right-hander is among the most dominant starters in baseball. Stasburg could spin a gem when he works at home against a light-hitting Braves lineup that does not include a single member who hit 20 homers in 2015 and will be working without injured leadoff hitter Ender Inciarte.

Jerad Eickhoff: Having logged a 2.73 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP since making his big league debut on August 21, 2015, the right-hander has emerged as a viable second starter for DraftKings squads. Eickhoff could continue to compile quality frames when he faces a Padres lineup that includes just one hitter (Matt Kemp) who slugged 15 homers last season.
Drew Smyly: Since joining the Rays at the Trade Deadline in 2014, Smyly has registered an impressive 2.75 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP across 20 starts. The left-hander could combine several strikeouts with quality frames when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Indians.
John Lackey: Lackey -- who posted a 2.77 ERA with the Cardinals in 2015 -- could combine several effective innings with a win when he works with the backing of a stellar Cubs lineup in a home matchup against the Reds' Simon (4.74 FIP in 2015).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Monday's games.