Donaldson projected to be dominant vs. Orioles
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays): Hitting .304 with 36 homers, 111 RBIs and 104 runs scored across 586 plate appearances, the third baseman has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season. Donaldson may thrive when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against an Orioles squad that will need to dig into its pitching depth to cover the absence of injured starter Miguel Gonzalez.
Jason Kipnis (Indians): With 76 runs scored and a .389 on-base percentage across 531 plate appearances, the second baseman has been among the most effective leadoff hitters in baseball this season. Kipnis could use his lineup position to maximize his opportunities to improve on his lifetime .811 OPS against right-handers (.666 vs. lefties) at the expense of Tigers righty Alfredo Simon (5.09 ERA, 1.44 WHIP in 2015).
Joey Votto (Reds): With a terrific mixture of patience and power, Votto has excelled against right-handers to the tune of a career .318/.434/.552 slash line. The first baseman could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Brewers righty Wily Peralta (4.30 ERA, 1.48 WHIP in 2015).
Video: CIN@CHC: Votto drives in Bruce with double in 6th
Ryan Braun (Brewers): Braun could post a difference-making totals in DraftKings contests when he brings a lofty lifetime .336/.403/.632 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with Reds rookie southpaw John Lamb. The left-handed hurler has struggled across his initial four Major League starts to the tune of a 5.24 ERA and a 1.43 WHIP.
Jonathan Lucroy (Brewers): The catcher could provide production at a premium position when he brings his lifetime .847 OPS against left-handers (.747 vs. righties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Lamb at Cincinnati's hitter-friendly venue.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): The slugger has turned around a slow start by hitting .338 with 14 homers and 38 RBIs across 154 at-bats since June 11. Ortiz could thrive when he puts his lifetime .973 OPS against right-handers (.811 vs. lefties) on the line against Phillies rookie righty Alec Asher, who will be making his second career start. Also of note: Ortiz and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in baseball with a .668 defensive efficiency ratio.
Video: NYY@BOS: Betts rips a two-run homer over the Monster
Mookie Betts (Red Sox): Hitting .275 with 13 homers, 17 steals and 67 runs scored across 523 plate appearances, the outfielder possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings participants cover. From his perch atop the lineup, Betts may maximize his opportunities to succeed against the inexperienced Asher. The speedster may also swipe a base against catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has thwarted just 10 of 53 would-be base stealers this season.
Matt Duffy (Giants): The third baseman -- who is hitting .299 this season -- will be poised to improve on his lifetime .785 OPS against right-handers (.679 vs. lefties) when he faces righty Chad Bettis (career 5.71 ERA, 1.61 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Coors Field. Duffy may also excel late in the game against a Rockies relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 4.87 ERA.
Brandon Belt (Giants): Of Belt's 62 career homers, 46 have been hit against right-handers and 43 have come when batting on the road. The first baseman will be set to put a ball into the outfield seats at Coors Field at the expense of Bettis (4.78 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 2015). Also of note: Belt and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that sits 28th in the Majors with a .674 defensive efficiency ratio.
Video: SF@COL: CarGo hits second homer of game, 35th of 2015
Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): Gonzalez has enjoyed great career success when facing right-handers (.302/.366/.504 slash line) and batting at his hitter-friendly home park (.334/.394/.627 slash line). The outfielder may have a terrific game when he hits at home against Giants righty Jake Peavy (4.38 ERA, 1.28 WHIP in 2015).
Nick Hundley (Rockies): The catcher -- who has posted a .363/.398/.575 slash line at Coors Field this season -- has registered a lifetime .732 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .614 mark vs. lefties. Hundley will be poised to provide production at a premium position when he hits at home against Peavy (4.19 FIP in 2015).
Wilmer Flores (Mets): This season, the shortstop has handled left-handers to the tune of a .901 OPS (.653 vs. righties). Flores could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he tangles with Marlins southpaw Brad Hand (career 4.46 ERA, 1.37WHIP).
Video: PHI@NYM: Flores singles in Cuddyer in the 8th
Rougned Odor (Rangers): The second baseman -- who has hit .330 since being recalled on June 15 -- may excel when he puts his career .759 OPS against right-handers (.721 vs. lefties) on the line against Angels righty Jered Weaver (4.94 ERA in 2015).
Nathan Eovaldi (Yankees): Across his past 13 starts, the right-hander has posted an impressive 3.32 ERA. Eovaldi will be in position to extend his recent run of success when he faces a Rays lineup that sits 27th in the Majors with a .687 OPS against righties.
Jake Arrieta (Cubs): Since joining the Cubs during the 2013 season, the right-hander -- who tossed a no-hitter in his most recent start -- has posted an ace-like 2.48 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP. Arrieta may combine several quality frames with a win when he works at home against the D-backs in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Robbie Ray (career 4.74 ERA).
Video: #THIS: Arrieta hurls a no-hitter against the Dodgers
Danny Duffy (Royals): With a season-to-date 4.11 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP, the left-hander may have an economical cost in DraftKings contests when he works at home against a White Sox lineup that ranks last in baseball with a .639 OPS against southpaws. Once Duffy leaves the game, his quest for a victory could be supported by a Royals relief corps that leads the Majors with a 2.32 ERA.
Bartolo Colon (Mets): With a season-to-date 4.42 ERA and a 1.25 WHIP, the right-hander could be an economical second starter in DraftKings contests when he faces Miami at pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. This season, the Marlins rank last in the Majors with a .668 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.