DraftKings picks: Ortiz, Sandoval, Teixeira
DraftKings participants will face some tough decisions on Saturday, as few aces are on the docket but many of the contests will be played at pitcher-friendly venues. The players listed below could solve difficult lineup dilemmas.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): The slugger has accumulated a lifetime .972 OPS against right-handers (.817 vs. lefties), and he bats out of the coveted three-hole for the third-highest scoring team in the Majors. On Saturday, he could drive in multiple runs at his hitter-friendly home park against Yankees righty Nathan Eovaldi (career 4.07 ERA).
Pablo Sandoval (Red Sox): Sandoval has excelled as a member of the Red Sox, with two homers, 11 RBIs and a .312 batting average in 20 games. The third baseman could continue his hot hitting Saturday, when he brings a lifetime .855 OPS vs. right-handers (.696 against lefties) into a matchup with Eovaldi, who has compiled a career 1.39 WHIP.
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Mark Teixeira (Yankees): The first baseman has produced a career .913 OPS vs. left-handers (.867 against righties), and he could go deep for a ninth time this season when he faces lefty Wade Miley at hitter-friendly Fenway Park. The switch to the American League has been hard on the left-handed hurler, as he has produced an 8.62 ERA and a 1.79 WHIP in four starts.
Adam LaRoche (White Sox): The first baseman could display his power on Saturday, when he brings his career .841 OPS against right-handers (.713 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Twins righty Ricky Nolasco. The 32-year-old hurler has compiled a 5.61 ERA since relocating to Minnesota before the 2014 season, and he is coming off the disabled list to start Saturday after missing time with an elbow injury.
Brian Dozier (Twins): The second baseman has accumulated a lifetime .860 OPS against left-handers (.658 vs. righties) and could contribute in multiple ways on Saturday, when he faces White Sox southpaw John Danks (career 4.30 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).
Michael Brantley (Indians): The outfielder hit .327 with 20 homers during a breakout 2014 season, and he has followed up that effort by raking at a .339 clip through 15 games in 2015. He could continue to reach base often on Saturday against Blue Jays righty Aaron Sanchez, who has posted a 1.68 WHIP in 2015.
Jason Kipnis (Indians): With a career .778 OPS against right-handers (.633 vs. lefties), Kipnis could keep the line moving against Sanchez on Saturday by racking up hits. The second baseman could also come around to score more than once, as Sanchez has posted a 5.03 ERA this season.
Freddie Freeman (Braves): Against right-handers, the first baseman has produced a lifetime .880 OPS that exceeds his .738 mark vs. lefties. He has also thrived at his pitcher-friendly home park, as his lifetime .870 OPS at Turner Field is superior to his .798 road mark. On Saturday, he could excel at home against Reds righty Jason Marquis (career 4.57 ERA, 1.44 WHIP).
Nick Markakis (Braves): Markakis has long fared best against right-handers, compiling a lifetime .292/.366/.450 slash line against righties. On Saturday, he could reach base often against Marquis, who has posted a 5.48 ERA and a 1.52 WHIP across four 2015 starts after pitching in the Minors last season.
Adrian Beltre (Rangers): Beltre is off to a slow start this season (two homers, .205 batting average), but he could get on track against A's lefty Drew Pomeranz on Saturday. The third baseman has accumulated a career .848 OPS against lefties (.803 vs. right-handers), and he is a .329 lifetime hitter at his offense-friendly home park.
Derek Norris (Padres): Despite playing at his pitcher-friendly home park on Saturday, the catcher could thrive against Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa. Norris has produced a lifetime .887 OPS against left-handers (.616 vs. righties), and De La Rosa has compiled a career 4.64 ERA and a 1.45 WHIP.
Matt Kemp (Padres): With a career .952 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .805 mark vs. righties, Kemp could also excel against De La Rosa on Saturday. The southpaw starter may not be in top form, as he has compiled an 11.57 ERA and a 2.29 WHIP across a pair of 2015 starts after beginning the season on the disabled list.
Adrian Gonzalez (Dodgers): Gonzalez could improve on an impressive lifetime .303/.378/.536 slash line against right-handers on Saturday, when he faces D-backs righty Jeremy Hellickson. The 28-year-old hurler has produced a 5.24 ERA and a 1.75 WHIP across four 2015 starts, and he has a 5.02 ERA since 2013.
Jake Arrieta (Cubs): Arrieta has followed up a breakout 2014 season (2.53 ERA, 0.99 WHIP) in strong fashion, posting a 2.03 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP across four 2015 starts. The right-hander could compile several quality innings and a win on Saturday, when he faces a Brewers squad that ranks 28th in baseball with a .627 OPS and last in the Majors with five wins.
Corey Kluber (Indians): In his career, Kluber has held right-handed hitters to a.633 OPS (.743 vs. LHB). Such an advantage may play right into his advantage on Saturday, as several of Toronto's best sluggers bat from the right side. Looking ahead, Kluber could come away with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup against inconsistent youngster Sanchez.
Dan Haren (Marlins): Haren has produced a 3.38 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP across four starts with the Marlins in 2015, and he could continue to log quality frames on Saturday against a Phillies lineup that ranks last in the Majors in OPS (.609) and runs scored (63). On a day with few elite starters to choose from, this consistent hurler (lifetime 3.76 ERA and a 1.18 WHIP) could be a cost-effective option for DraftKings participants.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.