Miggy, Kinsler could feast vs. White Sox
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Thursday.
Miguel Cabrera (Tigers): During his impressive career, the first baseman has dominated left-handers to the tune of a .318/.430/.564 slash line. He could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he faces White Sox rookie southpaw Carlos Rodon (1.59 WHIP).
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Ian Kinsler (Tigers): Kinsler could be involved in plenty of run scoring when he puts his lifetime .873 OPS against left-handers (.758 vs. righties) to the test against the inexperienced Rodon. The second baseman may be part of a productive lineup, as the Tigers rank fourth in the Majors with a .752 OPS against southpaws.
Rajai Davis (Tigers): Davis has produced pronounced career splits, with an .812 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .647 mark vs. righties. If the outfielder reaches base against Rodon, he could also swipe a bag against Tyler Flowers, who has allowed more steals this season than all but five catchers.
Jose Iglesias (Tigers): With a career .812 OPS against left-handers (.657 vs. righties), Iglesias could be an economical addition to a Tigers stack against Rodon, who has walked 28 batters across 50 1/3 innings this season. Of note: The shortstop and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a team that ranks last in the Majors with a .662 defensive efficiency ratio.
Stephen Vogt (A's): Hitting .294 with 13 homers and 51 RBIs across 211 at-bats, the catcher has been among the most productive players at his position this season. Vogt could improve on his career .789 OPS against right-handers (.721 vs lefties) when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home venue and bats at Globe Life Park in Arlington against Rangers righty Colby Lewis (career 4.77 ERA).
Josh Reddick (A's): Reddick has exceeded expectations this season by hitting .288 with 10 homers and 42 RBIs across 250 at-bats. The outfielder could display his power at the Rangers' hitter-friendly road venue when he brings his lifetime .780 OPS against right-handers (.682 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Lewis (career 1.38 WHIP).
Eric Sogard (A's): The second baseman could be a cost-effective part of an A's stack when he faces Lewis, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Sogard to post an .825 OPS (.722 OPS allowed to righty hitters). As a big leaguer, Sogard has produced a .620 OPS against right-handed hurlers in comparison to a .558 mark vs. southpaws.
Ike Davis (A's): With stark lifetime splits that include an .810 OPS against right-handers and a .575 mark vs. southpaws, the first baseman could drive in multiple runs against Lewis. The A's may score several runs, as they rank sixth in the Majors with a .748 OPS against righties.
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): With 15 homers, 11 steals and a .309 average across 308 plate appearances this season, the first baseman has been a difference-maker in many DraftKings contests. Rizzo could contribute in multiple ways when he hits at home against Dodgers righty Carlos Frias (career 5.18 ERA).
Addison Russell (Cubs): In his brief career, the rookie has posted a .756 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .553 mark vs. lefties. On Thursday, he could be a cost-effective option in DraftKings contests during a home game against Frias (career 1.39 WHIP).
Paul Goldschmidt (D-backs): The first baseman, who has hit .355 with 19 homers and 57 RBIs across 251 at-bats this season, could be worth a major expenditure by DraftKings participants when he faces Rockies lefty Jorge De La Rosa (career 4.64 ERA, 1.44 WHIP). Goldschmidt will bring his stellar career .329/.419/.610 slash line vs. southpaws into the matchup at homer-happy Coors Field.
A.J. Pollock (D-backs): Pollock has emerged as a top-tier outfielder by hitting .310 with nine homers and 14 steals across 291 plate appearances this season. On Thursday, he could improve on his lifetime .846 OPS against southpaws (.755 vs. righties) when he meets up with the left-handed De La Rosa (5.47 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in 2015) at Colorado's hitter-friendly venue.
Chris Owings (D-backs): Hitting .234 with two homers across 231 at-bats this season, the second baseman could be an economical addition that would offset the cost of Goldschmidt in a D-backs stack. The righty-hitting Owings could have success against De La Rosa, who in his career has allowed right-handed hitters to register a .795 OPS (.642 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Alfredo Simon (Tigers): With a 3.29 ERA so far this season, the righty could continue to compile quality frames when pitches at home against a White Sox lineup that ranks last in the Majors in runs (240) and 24th in OPS vs. right-handers (.668). Simon could earn a win if the talented Tigers lineup can score several runs against Rodon.
Chris Heston (Giants): The right-hander, who has a 3.85 ERA across 14 starts this season, could excel at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .668 OPS vs. righties. Heston may benefit from pitching in front of a Giants unit that ranks eighth in baseball .704 defensive efficiency ratio.
Jacob deGrom (Mets): Arguably the most talented starter on the Thursday afternoon slate, deGrom will look to improve his stellar career stats -- a 2.55 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP -- when he faces a Brewers lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .667 OPS against righties. Once he leaves the game, deGrom could be well-supported by a Mets bullpen that ranks sixth in baseball with a 3.03 ERA.
Taylor Jungmann (Brewers): Those who do not select deGrom may instead opt for his mound opponent. With a 3.50 ERA and a 1.22 WHIP, the right-hander has fared well in his initial three Major League starts. Jungmann could provide an economical second starter for DraftKings participants when faces a Mets lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .659 OPS against right-handers.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.