Nationals expected to trump Marlins' rookie southpaw
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Jayson Werth (Nationals): The outfielder has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has produced a .928 OPS (.797 vs. righties). Hitting out of the leadoff spot, Werth may maximize his opportunities to reach base and score runs at the expense of Marlins rookie southpaw Justin Nicolino (4.87 FIP, 1.33 WHIP).
Buster Posey (Giants): With a lifetime .333/.390/.571 slash line against left-handers, Posey has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The catcher could provide elite production at a premium position when he faces D-backs southpaw Patrick Corbin.
Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays): Hitting .301 with 39 homers, 120 RBIs and 110 runs scored across 646 plate appearances, the third baseman has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season. Donaldson will be poised to improve on his impressive lifetime .986 OPS against left-handers (.794 vs. righties) when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Red Sox southpaw Wade Miley (4.41 ERA, 1.34 WHIP in 2015).
Video: TOR@ATL: Donaldson belts solo homer in the 9th
David Ortiz (Red Sox): With 35 homers and 97 RBIs across 483 at-bats this season, the veteran slugger remains one of baseball's premier power hitters. Ortiz could rip a roundtripper when he brings his lifetime .975 OPS against right-handers (.814 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty R.A. Dickey at hitter-friendly Rogers Centre. Since joining the Blue Jays at the outset of the 2013 season, Dickey has allowed 52 homers across 50 home starts.
Salvador Perez (Royals): The catcher could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .768 OPS against left-handers (.722 vs. righties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Boyd (6.39 FIP).
Video: KC@BAL: Perez singles in two to put Royals ahead
Ben Zobrist (Royals): This season, the second baseman has registered a .924 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .789 mark vs. righties. From his premium lineup position, Zobrist could reach base often against Boyd and a Tigers relief corps that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.58 ERA.
Odubel Herrera (Phillies): Hitting .296 with eight homers and 14 steals across 484 plate appearances, the rookie outfielder has been a cost-effective option in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Herrera has the plate skills to excel against right-hander Ryan Weber (4.38 ERA across two starts) and a Braves bullpen that ranks last in the Majors with a 4.77 ERA. He may also swipe a base against A.J. Pierzynski, who has allowed more steals than all but five catchers this season.
Adrian Beltre (Rangers): The third baseman -- who owns a lifetime .289/.362/.486 slash line against left-handers -- will be poised to display his power when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Mariners southpaw Vidal Nuno (career 4.48 FIP, 1.4 HR/9 rate).
Video: HOU@TEX: Beltre doubles in Choo to extend the lead
Justin Upton (Padres): With 26 homers and 19 steals across 578 plate appearances, the outfielder has contributed to 2015 DraftKings squads in multiple ways. Upton could showcase his power when he brings his career .887 OPS against left-handers (.808 vs. righties) to offense-inducing Coors Field to face southpaw Yohan Flande (4.95 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 2015).
Matt Kemp (Padres): The outfielder -- who has compiled 22 homers and 11 steals across 608 plate appearances this season -- owns a lifetime .939 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .796 mark vs. righties. Kemp could drive in multiple runs when he faces Flande and a Rockies bullpen that ranks 29th in baseball with a 4.73 ERA. Also of note: Kemp and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Colorado squad that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .673 defensive efficiency ratio.
Video: SD@ARI: Kemp clubs a three-run home run in the 5th
DJ LeMahieu (Rockies): Hitting .310 with 23 steals across 569 plate appearances, the second baseman is having the best season of his career. With balanced career batting splits and a lifetime .788 OPS at his hitter-friendly home park, LeMahieu could reach base often or score multiple runs against left-hander Robbie Erlin (career 4.58 ERA, 1.33 WHIP).
Nolan Arenado (Rockies): With 39 homers and 111 RBIs across 558 at-bats, Arenado has been one of the most powerful players in baseball this season. The third baseman has the plate skills to excel when he brings his balanced career splits into a home matchup with Erlin, who will be making his first appearance of the season.
Jerad Eickhoff (Phillies): With a 3.90 ERA and a 1.17 WHIP across his initial five starts, the right-hander could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he travels to pitcher-friendly Turner Field to face the Braves. Atlanta ranks 29th in the Majors with a .678 OPS against righties and sits last in baseball by a wide margin with 88 homers.
Video: CHC@PHI: Eickhoff strikes out eight over seven frames
Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals): The right-hander will be poised to improve on his lifetime 3.28 ERA and 1.16 WHIP when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Marlins lineup that ranks last the Majors with a .673 OPS against righties. Zimmermann could combine several quality frames with a win if his supporting cast can have success in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Nicolino.
Sonny Gray (A's): With a season-to-date 2.56 ERA and a 1.05 WHIP, the right-hander has emerged as one of the most dominant hurlers in the Junior Circuit. Gray could combine several strikeouts with effective innings when he faces an Astros lineup that ranks second in the Majors with 1,272 whiffs.
Kyle Gibson (Twins): With a season-to-date 3.71 ERA, the right-hander has been a useful second starter in many DraftKings contests. Gibson could compile quality frames when he makes a start at home against an Angels lineup that ranks 24th in baseball with a .705 OPS against righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.