DraftKings picks: Cards can blast off at Coors
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Monday.
Giancarlo Stanton (Marlins): The outfielder traditionally fares best against lefties, but he could rip a round-tripper when he faces righty Marco Estrada (career 1.4 HR/9 rate) at Rogers Centre. Stanton -- who has posted a career .875 OPS against right-handers -- could thrive when he vacates his spacious home park for a homer-happy road venue.
Christian Yelich (Marlins): Yelich has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .765 OPS (.663 vs. lefties). The outfielder could drive in multiple runs at an offense-inducing venue against Estrada (career 4.19 ERA) and a Blue Jays bullpen that lacks reliable options.
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Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays): Donaldson -- who is hitting .306 with 15 homers, 40 RBIs and 46 runs scored across 250 plate appearances this season -- could thrive at his hitter-friendly home park against Marlins lefty Brad Hand (career 4.40 ERA, 1.37 WHIP). The third baseman has compiled a lofty lifetime .302/.379/.601 slash line vs. southpaws.
Jose Bautista (Blue Jays): Since the outset of his 2010 breakout season, Bautista has registered a game-changing .277/.398/.565 slash line against lefties. Set to face the Marlins' Hand, the outfielder could be involved in plenty of run scoring from his premium lineup spot, as the Blue Jays lead the Majors with an .856 OPS against southpaws.
Danny Valencia (Blue Jays): DraftKings participants who stack Blue Jays star sluggers against Hand could offset their expenditure with the inclusion of the economical Valencia, who has produced a career .873 OPS against left-handers (.617 vs. righties). Valencia possesses added appeal because he is eligible in the outfield and at the hot corner in DraftKings contests.
Freddie Freeman (Braves): The first baseman has traditionally fared best against right-handers (career .884 OPS) and at Turner Field (lifetime .872 OPS). With that in mind, he could drive in multiple runs at home on Monday, when he faces inconsistent Padres righty Ian Kennedy (6.60 ERA, 1.47 WHIP in 2015).
Brian Dozier (Twins): During his career, Dozier has handled left-handers to the tune of an .874 OPS (.683 vs. righties). On Monday, the second baseman could reach base often or score multiple runs from the leadoff spot when he matches up against Royals southpaw Jason Vargas (career 1.31 WHIP).
Trevor Plouffe (Twins): The third baseman could improve on his career .828 OPS against left-handers (.688 vs. righties) when he faces Vargas. So far during an injury-affected 2015 season, the southpaw has compiled a 4.79 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.
Matt Holliday (Cardinals): Holliday -- who owns balanced career splits and a .423 on-base percentage this season -- could reach base often at offense-inducing Coors Field vs. Rockies righty David Hale (career 1.40 WHIP). The outfielder could also provide late-game production against a Colorado bullpen that lacks elite hurlers.
Matt Carpenter (Cardinals): On Monday, the third baseman could improve on his lifetime .848 OPS against right-handers (.771 vs. lefties) at the expense of Hale (career 4.03 FIP). Carpenter could have an edge when putting balls into play, as the Rockies' defense is tied for 26th in the Majors with a .674 defensive efficiency ratio.
Jason Heyward (Cardinals): Heyward has compiled notable career splits, with an .825 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .660 mark vs. lefties. Set to face the righty Hale at Coors Field, the outfielder could be part of a productive lineup that ranks eighth in the Majors with a .733 OPS against right-handers.
Kolten Wong (Cardinals): From his perch atop St. Louis' lineup, Wong could score multiple runs when he brings his balanced career splits into a matchup with Hale, who during his big league tenure has allowed left-handed batters to post a .769 OPS. The speedy second baseman could also swipe a base off Colorado catcher Nick Hundley, whose 21 steals allowed this season are tied for fifth most in the National League.
Mike Leake (Reds): With a 4.40 ERA this season, Leake could be a reasonably priced DraftKings option on Monday, when he works at home against the Phillies. The right-hander could compile quality frames vs. a Philadelphia lineup that ranks last in the Majors in runs scored (180) and OPS vs. righties (.613). He could also benefit from working in front of a Reds defense that is tied for fourth in the Majors with a .710 defensive efficiency ratio.
Shelby Miller (Braves): With a 1.89 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP, the right-hander has been one of this season's most improved pitchers. He could continue to silence the competition when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 24th in the Majors with a .679 OPS vs. righties. Miller could come away with a win if the Braves can accumulate runs against Kennedy.
A.J. Burnett (Pirates): The right-hander has excelled this season, handling his opponents to the tune of a 2.20 ERA. He could continue to thrive on Monday, when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Brewers squad that ranks 21st in the Majors with a .682 OPS against right-handers and last in baseball with a .351 winning percentage.
Chris Sale (White Sox): With a 53:6 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 38 2/3 innings during his past five starts, Sale has reasserted his dominance. On Monday, he could have the necessary skills to accumulate several quality frames and strikeouts against an Astros lineup that leads the American League with 523 whiffs.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.