DraftKings picks: Hamilton could add to steals tonight

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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Thursday.

Billy Hamilton (Reds): Hitting .225 this season, Hamilton could have an affordable DraftKings price tag when he brings his balanced career splits into hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park to face righty Aaron Harang (career 1.35 WHIP). The speedster could swipe his 23rd bag of the season when he runs on catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has thrown out just four of 24 would-be base stealers this season.

Adam LaRoche (White Sox): The first baseman could reach base often when he puts his lifetime .841 OPS against right-handers (.713 vs. lefties) up against Rangers righty Yovani Gallardo (career 1.30 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.

Eric Hosmer (Royals): Hosmer has shown notable improvements this season by hitting .301 with seven homers and 32 RBIs across 186 at-bats. The first baseman could reach base often when he takes his career .795 OPS against right-handers (.678 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Indians righty Trevor Bauer (lifetime 1.38 WHIP).

Elvis Andrus (Rangers): Andrus could present DraftKings participants with a serviceable shortstop option on Thursday, when he brings his career .716 OPS against lefties (.663 vs. right-handers) into a matchup with White Sox rookie lefty Carlos Rodon (1.71 WHIP in 2015). Andrus could swipe a bag against catcher Tyler Flowers, who sometimes struggles to thwart opposing basestealers.

Seth Smith (Mariners): The owner of a lifetime .837 OPS against right-handers that greatly exceeds his .606 mark vs. lefties, Smith could reach base several times against Rays righty Erasmo Ramirez. The outfielder could also connect on a homer against Ramirez, who has compiled a career 1.3 HR/9 rate.

Kyle Seager (Mariners): The third baseman could drive in multiple runs on Thursday, when he brings his lifetime .804 OPS against right-handers (.682 vs. lefties) up against Ramirez, who owns a 5.53 ERA this season.

Robinson Cano (Mariners): Hitting .249 with two homers this season, Cano could have a reduced DraftKings cost despite his lofty lifetime .317/.364/.521 slash line against right-handers. The second baseman could finish off a Mariners stack against Ramirez, who has registered a 4.77 ERA and a 1.33 WHIP as a big leaguer.

Jason Heyward (Cardinals): The outfielder could drive in multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .825 OPS against right-handers (.662 vs. lefties) up against Dodgers righty Carlos Frias, who has produced a 5.16 ERA and a 1.35 WHIP across 68 career innings.

Jason Kipnis (Indians): Hitting .333 with five homers and 38 runs across 210 at-bats, Kipnis has aided DraftKings participants on many occasions this season. The second baseman could score multiple runs when brings his career .803 OPS against right-handers (.668 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Chris Young, the Royals' extreme fly-ball-tosser (lifetime 4.33 FIP).

Brandon Moss (Indians): Having hit 86 of his 100 career homers against righties, the power-hitting outfielder could hit a homer against Young, who has posted a lifetime 1.1 HR/9 rate despite spending nearly all of his career on clubs with spacious home venues.

Matt Harvey (Mets): With a 2.54 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP in the Majors, the right-hander has the necessary skills to handle hitter-friendly Chase Field. On Thursday, Harvey could benefit from facing a D-backs lineup that contains several hitters who traditionally fare best against lefties. With a quality start, he could come away with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup against Robbie Ray.

Roenis Elias (Mariners): On a night with few pitchers to choose from, Elias will serve as a cost-effective option when he faces the Rays at his spacious home park. The lefty may be in prime position to lower his respectable career ERA (3.68), as Tampa Bay is tied for 22nd in the Majors in runs scored. And should the Mariners succeed against the inconsistent Ramirez, Elias could easily earn a victory.

Anthony DeSclafani (Reds): The right-hander could compile quality frames on Thursday, when he faces a Phillies lineup that ranks last in the Majors by wide margins in runs scored (162) and OPS against right-handers (.615). DeSclafani has taken a notable step forward this season, posting a 3.41 ERA across 10 starts.

Jake Arrieta (Cubs): Since joining the Senior Circuit in 2013, the right-hander has emerged as a fantasy ace by registering a 2.90 ERA, a 1.04 WHIP and 271 strikeouts across 273 1/3 innings. On a night with few starters to choose from, DraftKings participants could turn to the steady Arrieta despite his matchup against a productive Nationals lineup.

All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.