DraftKings picks: Seager, Cano, Sanchez
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 Sunday.
Kyle Seager (Mariners): Seager could thrive when he gets away from spacious Safeco Field and brings a lifetime .799 OPS against right-handers (.671 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Aaron Sanchez at cozy Rogers Centre. The third baseman could drive in multiple runs against Sanchez, who has produced a 4.17 ERA and a 1.54 WHIP this season.:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Robinson Cano (Mariners): The second baseman could improve on a lifetime .318/.365/.523 against righties when he faces Sanchez at an offense-inducing venue. Sanchez -- who has allowed 41 walks across 78 1/3 career innings -- could give up several runs if he cannot improve his control.
Anthony Gose (Tigers): The outfielder could accumulate hits and runs out of the leadoff spot when he takes his career .703 OPS against right-handers (.530 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Astros righty Roberto Hernandez (career 4.57 ERA, 1.41 WHIP).
Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox): Because he has hit .270 with two homers and two steals this season, Bogaerts could be an economical shortstop option when he faces Angels lefty Hector Santiago. The right-handed hitter has notched a lifetime .774 OPS against lefties (.630 vs. right-handers), and in his career Santiago has allowed hitters who swing from the right side of the plate to compile a .737 OPS (.610 OPS allowed to lefty hitters).
Joey Votto (Reds): The first baseman will bring an impressive career .316/.428/.547 slash line against right-handers into a Sunday matchup with Indians righty Trevor Bauer. The right-handed hurler's inconsistent control has led to a lifetime 1.40 WHIP, and Votto is among the best in baseball at reaching base (career .416 on-base percentage).
David Freese (Angels): Freese has compiled pronounced career splits, with an .857 OPS against left-handers that notably exceeds his .731 mark vs. righties. The right-handed hitting Freese could drive in multiple runs against Red Sox lefty Wade Miley, who in his career has allowed righty hitters to accumulate a .748 OPS (.670 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Starling Marte (Pirates): With eight homers and seven steals across 164 plate appearances, Marte has been a difference-maker for DraftKings participants during several 2015 contests. The outfielder could continue to accumulate strong stats at the expense of Jon Niese, who has produced a 4.31 FIP and a 1.49 WHIP this season.
Angel Pagan (Giants): The outfielder could improve on his career .294/.346/.426 slash line against right-handers when he travels away from spacious AT&T Park and faces righty Chad Bettis (career 6.72 ERA, 1.82 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Pagan could also benefit from facing a Rockies bullpen that lacks shutdown arms.
Brandon Belt (Giants): The chance to hit at offense-inducing Coors Field could be significant for Belt, who has smacked 34 of his 49 career homers away from his pitcher-friendly home park. The first baseman could go deep or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .819 OPS against right-handers (.752 vs. lefties) up against Bettis, who has posted a 5.73 ERA and a 1.73 WHIP this season.
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): The first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he takes his career .838 OPS against right-handers (.751 vs. lefties) into hitter-friendly Chase Field to oppose righty Jeremy Hellickson (career 4.38 FIP). He could also fare well against a D-backs bullpen that is short on elite options.
Stephen Vogt (A's): With a .309 batting average, 10 homers and 31 RBIs, Vogt has been arguably the top-hitting catcher in baseball this season. He could build on his lifetime .783 OPS against right-handers (.681 vs. lefties) when he faces Rays righty Erasmo Ramirez (career 4.84 ERA, 1.34 WHIP).
Josh Reddick (A's): The outfielder could improve on his impressive 2015 totals of six homers and 29 RBIs when he takes his lifetime .775 OPS against right-handers (.675 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Ramirez. The righty hurler has posted a 1.3 HR/9 rate during his career and a 6.44 ERA this season.
Anibal Sanchez (Tigers): The right-hander could have a reduced DraftKings price tag because of a 5.60 ERA, but his 4.39 FIP suggests that he will soon bring that ratio closer to his career 3.62 ERA. Sanchez could accumulate several strikeouts against an Astros lineup that ranks second in the Majors with 392 whiffs, and he could pick up a win if the Tigers' deep lineup can have success against Hernandez.
Miguel Gonzalez (Orioles): Gonzalez has produced a strong 3.24 ERA this season, after posting a 3.23 mark last season. The fly-ball-prone righty could post impressive numbers when he vacates cozy Camden Yards and works at spacious Marlins Park against a Miami lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .668 OPS against right-handers.
Carlos Frias (Dodgers): DraftKings participants who are looking for an economical second starter could opt for Frias, who has posted a lifetime 3.32 FIP. The right-hander could have success at his pitcher-friendly home venue against a Padres lineup that includes several key sluggers who fare best against lefties. He could also pick up a win over James Shields if the Dodgers lineup can duplicate their Major League-leading .822 OPS against right-handers.
Jason Hammel (Cubs): The right-hander -- who has produced a 2.70 ERA and a 0.92 WHIP this season -- could find success against a D-backs lineup that possesses few regulars who have traditionally fared best against righties. Hammel could come away with a victory if his supporting cast can score several runs against the inconsistent Hellickson (5.08 ERA since 2013).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.