DraftKings picks: Use Miggy in a Tigers stack
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Wilson Ramos (Nationals): The catcher could improve on his lifetime .785 OPS against left-handers (.731 vs. righties) when he heads to hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park to face southpaw Adam Morgan. The rookie starter will be making his second Major League start after logging a 4.74 ERA and a 1.58 WHIP across 13 Triple-A outings this season.
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Lucas Duda (Mets): Since the outset of his 2014 breakout season, Duda has hit 34 homers across 592 at-bats against right-handers, which has contributed to an .864 OPS in those matchups (.706 vs. lefties). The first baseman could showcase his power against Reds rookie righty Michael Lorenzen (5.65 FIP, 1.5 HR/9 rate).
Curtis Granderson (Mets): Having compiled 188 of his 248 homers and 118 of his 134 steals against right-handers in his career, the outfielder could help DraftKings squads in multiple ways. From his perch atop the lineup, Granderson could reach base often against Lorenzen (career 1.42 WHIP) or swipe a bag against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted five of 31 would-be basestealers this season.
Miguel Cabrera (Tigers): With a career .318/.429/.563 slash line against left-handers, Cabrera has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The first baseman could drive in multiple runs when he faces White Sox southpaw John Danks, who has posted a 5.38 ERA and a 1.48 WHIP this season.
Ian Kinsler (Tigers): From his premium lineup position, the second baseman could score multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .874 OPS against left-handers (.756 vs. righties) on the line against Danks (career 1.34 WHIP). Of note: Kinsler and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a White Sox unit that ranks last in the Majors with a .657 defensive efficiency ratio.
Jose Iglesias (Tigers): Iglesias may be a cost-effective part of a Tigers stack when he brings his career .817 OPS against left-handers (.659 vs. righties) into a matchup with Danks (4.96 ERA since 2012). The shortstop could swipe his 10th base of the year at the expense of Tyler Flowers, who has allowed more steals than all but five catchers this season.
Brandon Moss (Indians): The outfielder has compiled 88 of his 102 career homers against right-handers, and he could add to that total when he steps into hitter-friendly Camden Yards to face righty Chris Tillman (career 1.33 WHIP, 1.3 HR/9 rate).
Jason Kipnis (Indians): Hitting .354 with 49 runs across 327 plate appearances, the second baseman has been among the best at his position this season. Kipnis could score multiple runs from the leadoff spot when he brings his career .814 OPS against right-handers (.677 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Tillman (career 4.57 FIP).
Michael Brantley (Indians): With an impressive .324/.385/.508 slash line against righties since the outset of 2014, the outfielder could be part of an Indians stack against Tillman, who has a 6.22 ERA and a 1.60 WHIP this year.
Josh Reddick (A's): Reddick -- who has 10 homers and 45 RBIs across 253 at-bats this season -- could rip a round-tripper when he faces the Royals' fly-ball-inducing righty Chris Young (career 1.1 HR/9 rate). As a big leaguer, the outfielder has produced a .780 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .665 mark vs. lefties.
Yonder Alonso (Padres): The first baseman has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he owns a lifetime .760 OPS (.677 vs. lefties). Alonso could drive in multiple runs when he faces righty Jeremy Hellickson (4.98 ERA since 2013) and an unsettled D-backs bullpen.
Eddie Rosario (Twins): In his brief career, the rookie outfielder has logged a .772 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .669 mark vs. lefties. Rosario could be an economical option for DraftKings participants when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home venue to hit at offense-inducing Miller Park against Brewers righty Matt Garza (5.48 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in 2015).
Michael Wacha (Cardinals): Despite a mediocre strikeout rate, Wacha has emerged as a staff ace by going 9-3 with a 2.85 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP this season. The right-hander could notch a handful of quality frames when he works at home against a Cubs lineup that ranks second in the Majors with 671 whiffs. Once he leaves the game, Wacha may be well-supported by a St. Louis bullpen that sits second in baseball with a 2.10 ERA.
Kyle Ryan (Tigers): Having posted a 4.64 FIP and a 1.26 WHIP across 33 1/3 career innings, the left-hander could be an economical second starter when he plies his trade at home against the White Sox. Chicago's AL club ranks last in the Majors by a wide margin with a .563 OPS against southpaws.
Garrett Richards (Angels): With a 2.95 ERA since the outset of last season, Richards has emerged as a high-end fantasy starter. The right-hander could continue to compile effective innings when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Mariners lineup that sits 29th in baseball with a .652 OPS against righties.
Masahiro Tanaka (Yankees): The right-hander struggled last time out, but he has posted a rock-solid 3.17 ERA with a stellar 1.03 WHIP this season. Tanaka -- who has fanned 192 batters across 184 2/3 innings since arriving in the Majors last year -- could accumulate several strikeouts when he faces an Astros lineup that leads baseball with 697 whiffs.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.