Rockies could have big days vs. Heaney
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Tuesday.
Ike Davis (A's): Davis has traditionally excelled vs. right-handers, against whom he owns a lifetime .810 OPS (.573 vs. lefties). The first baseman could rip a round-tripper when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and heads to Yankee Stadium to face righty Nathan Eovaldi (career 4.14 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
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Josh Reddick (A's): The outfielder -- who has compiled 49 RBIs across 285 at-bats this season -- could thrive at the Yankees' hitter-friendly venue against Eovaldi (4.52 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in 2015). In his career, Reddick has posted a .778 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .663 mark vs. lefties.
Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays): With a lofty lifetime .294/.372/.583 slash line against left-handers, the third baseman could be poised to post difference-making totals when he faces White Sox southpaw Jose Quintana (career 1.28 WHIP) at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field.
Russell Martin (Blue Jays): The catcher could provide production at a premium position when he puts his career .806 OPS against left-handers (.742 vs. righties) to the test against Quintana (1.36 WHIP in 2015). Martin has a chance to be part of a productive lineup, as the Blue Jays lead baseball by a wide margin with an .872 OPS against southpaws.
Kevin Pillar (Blue Jays): Pillar could improve on his career .757 OPS against left-handers (.662 vs. righties) at the expense of Quintana. The outfielder could also swipe his 13th base of the season against catcher Tyler Flowers, who has allowed more steals than all but seven backstops this season. Also of note: Pillar and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a White Sox squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .661 defensive efficiency ratio.
Salvador Perez (Royals): As a big leaguer, Perez has handled left-handers to the tune of an .810 OPS (.720 vs. righties). The catcher could reach base several times when he faces Rays lefty Matt Moore, who owns a career 1.33 WHIP and allowed four runs across 4 2/3 innings during his first start back Tommy John surgery on July 2.
Ryan Braun (Brewers): In his career, the outfielder has posted a game-changing .333/.401/.626 slash line against left-handers. Braun could thrive on Tuesday, when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Braves rookie southpaw Manny Banuelos, who will be making his second Major League start.
Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers): Lucroy has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he owns a lifetime .852 OPS (.743 vs. righties). He could reach base often at his offense-inducing home park against Banuelos, who registered a 1.28 WHIP during his Minor League career. The catcher may also excel late in the game against a Braves bullpen that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.28 ERA.
Nick Markakis (Braves): The outfielder -- who has registered a .384 on-base percentage this season -- could reach base often when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park to bat at Milwaukee's hitter-friendly venue against Brewers righty Matt Garza. The right-handed hurler has struggled this season to the tune of a 5.55 ERA and a 1.55 WHIP, and Markakis owns a lifetime .813 OPS against righties (.737 vs. southpaws).
Andre Ethier (Dodgers): The outfielder could improve on his career .886 OPS against right-handers (.641 vs. lefties) at the expense of Phillies righty Chad Billingsley, who has a 7.71 ERA and a 1.86 WHIP in 2015 after missing all of last season. Also of note: Ethier and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies defense that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .665 defensive efficiency ratio.
Joc Pederson (Dodgers): With 17 homers across 217 at-bats against right-handers this season, Pederson could be a powerful option for DraftKings participants when he faces Billingsley (career 1.37 WHIP). As a big leaguer, Billingsley has allowed left-handed batters such as Pederson to post a .763 OPS (.661 OPS allowed to righty hitters).
Nolan Arenado (Rockies): With 24 homers and 68 RBIs across 304 at-bats, the third baseman has been among the best at his position this season. He could excel when he brings his lifetime .299/.357/.523 slash line against left-handers and his career .297/.332/.534 line at hitter-friendly Coors Field into a home matchup with Angels southpaw Andrew Heaney (career 4.46 ERA).
Troy Tulowitzki (Rockies): In his career, the shortstop has fared best against left-handers (.971 OPS) and at his offense-inducing home park (.960 OPS). He has a good chance to provide production at a premium position when he faces the inexperienced Heaney, who could struggle at Coors Field.
Corey Kluber (Indians): The right-hander -- who is tied for second in baseball with 141 strikeouts this season -- could compile a handful of strikeouts and quality frames when he works at home against an Astros lineup that ranks first in the game with 785 whiffs.
Francisco Liriano (Pirates): The left-hander could improve on his season-to-date 2.99 ERA and 1.02 WHIP when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .666 OPS vs. southpaws. The high-strikeout starter could also compile several K's, as San Diego ranks third in baseball with 715 whiffs.
Chris Young (Royals): The fly-ball-inducing right-hander is well-suited for pitcher-friendly Kauffman Stadium, which is where he will face a Rays lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .665 OPS against righties. In the process, Young may be well-supported by a Royals defense that is leading baseball with a .715 defensive efficiency ratio and a Kansas City bullpen that is pacing the Majors with a 2.03 ERA.
Matt Cain (Giants): After allowing five runs across five innings during his first start of the season on July 2, Cain may be an economical second starter in DraftKings contests on Tuesday. The right-hander will work at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Mets lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .649 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Sunday's games.