DraftKings picks: Fielder, Dozier, Ross
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants today.
Prince Fielder (Rangers): The first baseman will carry an impressive career .296/.409/.554 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with Red Sox righty Joe Kelly (career 1.36 WHIP). Since beginning his tenure with Boston last July, Kelly has struggled to the tune of a 4.69 ERA in 101 2/3 innings.
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Shin-Soo Choo (Rangers): Choo has compiled notable lifetime splits, with a .906 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .679 mark vs. lefties. Hitting .347 with five homers during May, the outfielder will bring a hot bat into his matchup with Kelly.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): Ortiz takes his game to another level against right-handers, as he has posted a career .971 OPS in those situations (.813 vs. lefties). The slugger could drive in multiple runs at his home park against Rangers righty Phil Klein, who will be making his first Major League start at age 26.
Hanley Ramirez (Red Sox): Ramirez has traditionally fared slightly better against left-handers, but his career .296/.365/.491 slash line against righties proves that he is also effective in those matchups. The shortstop could drive in multiple runs if Boston's talented offense can have success against the inexperienced Klein.
Adam LaRoche (White Sox): The first baseman could thrive at his hitter-friendly home park when he brings his lifetime .841 OPS against right-handers (.715 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Indians righty Shaun Marcum. The right-handed hurler could struggle at an offense-inducing venue in what will be his first start since the 2013 season.
Conor Gillaspie (White Sox): Gillaspie has registered pronounced career splits, with a .759 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .512 mark vs. southpaws. He could be an economical DraftKings option, with the opportunity to drive in multiple runs if the White Sox can excel during Marcum's return to a Major League rotation.
Brian Dozier (Twins): The second baseman will take a lifetime .859 OPS against left-handers (.676 vs. righties) into a matchup with Pirates southpaw Jeff Locke, who has compiled a career 4.14 ERA that factors in a 5.40 mark this season. Because Dozier has notched 29 homers and 24 steals since the outset of the 2014 campaign, he could contribute to DraftKings squads in multiple ways.
Mike Trout (Angels): The outfielder could improve on his impressive career .312/.395/.563 slash line against right-handers when he vacates his spacious home park and visits hitter-friendly Rogers Centre to face fly ball-prone righty Drew Hutchison.
Kole Calhoun (Angels): The outfielder has compiled balanced lifetime splits, but he has belted 24 of his 28 career homers against right-handers. He could put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs against Hutchison (career 4.76 ERA) at Toronto's offense-inducing venue. Calhoun could also benefit from a recent move to the cleanup spot.
Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): Gonzalez has accumulated a lifetime .908 OPS against right-handers (.766 vs. lefties) and a 1.007 OPS at Coors Field (.747 on the road). The outfielder could reach base often when he faces Phillies righty Severino Gonzalez, who has posted a 10.57 ERA across two Major League starts.
Nick Hundley (Rockies): Hundley is hitting .299 as a member of the Rockies, and he has posted a lifetime .721 OPS against righties (.580 vs. southpaws). He could be a productive catcher for DraftKings participants against a possibly overmatched Gonzalez, who has logged a 4.34 ERA in the Minors this season after posting a 4.59 mark on the farm in 2014.
Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): Blackmon could be the final piece of a Rockies stack against Gonzalez. As a Major Leaguer, the outfielder has accumulated a .779 OPS against right-handers (.715 vs. lefties) and an .872 OPS at Coors Field (.654 on the road).
Tyson Ross (Padres): Ross has struggled with his control at times this season (26 walks across 45 2/3 innings), but he is among the National League leaders with 54 strikeouts. He could post a high whiff total when he faces a Cubs lineup that ranks first in the Majors with 363 K's. With spacious Petco Park behind him, Ross could compile several quality frames.
David Phelps (Marlins): The converted reliever has done well since joining Miami's rotation, surrendering seven earned runs across six starts. Phelps could continue to thrive as a rotation member today, when he pitches at his spacious home park against a D-backs lineup that includes several members who have traditionally fared best against lefties.
Bartolo Colon (Mets): The 41-year-old has fared well this season, going 6-2 with a 3.86 ERA and a 1.03 WHIP across eight starts. He will work at his pitcher-friendly home park, where he has compiled a 3.68 ERA since joining the Mets at the outset of the 2014 season. Colon could accumulate quality frames and a win when he faces a Cardinals squad that will counter with Carlos Martinez (career 4.40 ERA, 1.43 WHIP).
Jake Odorizzi (Rays): Odorizzi has thrived this season, posting a 2.36 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP in eight starts. The fly ball-prone righty could excel at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that has smacked just 26 homers across 37 games. Moreover, Odorizzi could turn a quality effort into a win, as Atlanta will counter with Williams Perez, who will be making his first Major League start.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Monday's games.