Guyer, Rays could excel in matchup vs. Tigers
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Wednesday.
Dee Gordon (Marlins): The shortstop may reach base often when he brings his lifetime .703 OPS against right-handers (.648 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Brewers righty Ariel Pena, who will be making his first career start. Gordon could also swipe his 49th base of the season at the expense of Jonathan Lucroy, who has allowed more steals than all but two catchers in 2015.
Brian McCann (Yankees): With 25 homers and 86 RBIs across 387 at-bats, McCann has been among the most productive catchers in baseball this season. He will be poised to provide production from a premium position when he puts his lifetime .830 OPS against right-handers (.758 vs. lefties) to the test at his hitter-friendly home park vs. Orioles righty Ubaldo Jimenez (career 4.03 ERA, 1.36 WHIP).
David Ortiz (Red Sox): With 31 homers and 87 RBIs across 459 at-bats this season, the slugger remains one of the most effective power hitters in baseball. Ortiz could rip a round-tripper when he brings his lofty lifetime .974 OPS against right-handers (.812 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Blue Jays fly-ball-prone righty Drew Hutchison (career 4.72 ERA, 1.33 WHIP, 1.1 HR/9 rate).
Evan Longoria (Rays): The third baseman has fared better vs. left-handers, against whom he has produced a lifetime .927 OPS (.802 vs. righties). Longoria will be poised to drive in multiple runs when he faces southpaw Kyle Lobstein (career 4.73 ERA, 1.40 WHIP) and a Tigers bullpen that ranks 29th in baseball with a 4.68 ERA.
Logan Forsythe (Rays): Batting .287 with 15 homers and nine steals across 540 plate appearances, Forsythe is coming down the stretch of a breakout season. The second baseman may improve on his lifetime .827 OPS against left-handers (.633 vs. righties) when he bats against Lobstein (career 4.12 FIP).
Video: TB@BAL: Forsythe collects three hits in win over O's
Brandon Guyer (Rays): From a likely perch atop the lineup, the outfielder will be in position to score multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .785 OPS against left-handers (.667 vs. righties) up against Lobstein and the Tigers.
Brandon Phillips (Reds): The second baseman may excel when he brings his lifetime .798 OPS against left-handers (.721 vs. righties) into a game at his hitter-friendly home park against southpaw J.A. Happ (career 4.19 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). Also of note: Phillips and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Pirates squad that ranks 24th in baseball with a .681 defensive efficiency ratio.
Alex Gordon (Royals): The outfielder may reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .802 OPS against right-handers (.751 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Mike Pelfrey (career 4.51 ERA, 1.48 WHIP). Gordon could also excel late in the game against a Twins bullpen that ranks 23rd in the Majors with a 4.12 ERA.
Eric Hosmer (Royals): Hitting out of the cleanup spot, Hosmer will be poised to drive in multiple runs when he brings his career .806 OPS against right-handers (.682 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Pelfrey and the Twins' relief corps.
Video: MIN@KC: Hosmer doubles in Zobrist, Gordon and Cain
Matt Duffy (Giants): Batting .302, the third baseman has been a cost-effective option in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Duffy could fare well when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and puts his career .792 OPS against right-handers (.687 vs. lefties) up against rookie righty Zack Godley (4.98 FIP, 1.32 WHIP) at offense-inducing Chase Field.
Justin Upton (Padres): With 24 homers and 19 steals across 548 plate appearances this season, Upton possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings owners covet. The outfielder may produce in multiple ways when he puts his lifetime .891 OPS against left-handers (.805 vs. righties) up against against southpaw Chris Rusin (career 4.88 ERA, 1.50 WHIP). Upton may also thrive late in the game against a Rockies relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 4.80 ERA.
Derek Norris (Padres): Norris has produced pronounced career splits, with an .832 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .648 mark vs. righties. The catcher may thrive against Rusin, who in his career has allowed right-handed hitters such as Norris to post an .850 OPS (.710 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Mike Trout (Angels): Trout will be in position to improve on his lofty lifetime .310/.396/.567 slash line against right-handers when he faces Dodgers righty Mat Latos. Since making his first appearance with Los Angeles on Aug. 2, Latos has posted a 6.56 ERA across five starts.
Kris Medlen (Royals): The right-hander will be in position to excel when he brings his career 3.06 ERA and 1.16 WHIP into a matchup at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Twins lineup that sits 25th in the Majors with a .695 OPS against righties. Once Medlen leaves the game, his quest for a win may be aided by a Royals bullpen that leads the Majors with a 2.46 ERA.
Collin McHugh (Astros): The right-hander will be poised to improve on his 3.75 ERA this season when he works at pitcher-friendly O.co Coliseum against an A's lineup that ranks 22nd in baseball with a .707 OPS against righties. McHugh could combine several quality frames with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Aaron Brooks (career 10.05 ERA, 1.82 WHIP).
Jacob deGrom (Mets): With a season-to-date 2.40 ERA and a 0.96 WHIP, the right-hander is arguably the most talented hurler on the Wednesday docket. deGrom has the skills to spin a gem when he faces Washington at Nationals Park. Once he leaves the game, deGrom's quest for a victory may be aided by a Mets relief corps that sits eighth in the Majors with a 3.14 ERA.
Video: deGrom, Strasburg prepared for NL East matchup
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Monday's games.