Use Cutch in a Pirates stack vs. Rusin
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays): Since the outset of the 2012 season, the first baseman has posted a .269/.360/.538 slash line against right-handers and a .275/.375/.552 slash line at his hitter-friendly home park. Hitting out of the cleanup spot, Encarnacion could drive in multiple runs when he bats at home against Tigers righty Buck Farmer (career 8.69 ERA, 1.75 WHIP).
Jose Bautista (Blue Jays): Since his breakout 2010 season, Bautista has used a patient, powerful approach to build a .267/.388/.556 slash line against right-handers and a .282/.406/.590 line at Rogers Centre. From the three-hole in the highest-scoring lineup in baseball, Bautista could thrive against Farmer and a Tigers relief corps that sits 27th in baseball with a 4.43 ERA.
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Justin Upton (Padres): With 22 homers and 18 steals across 502 plate appearances this season, the outfielder possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings owners covet. Upton could display his power when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home venue and bats at homer-happy Citizens Bank Park against rookie southpaw Adam Morgan (4.43 ERA).
Derek Norris (Padres): The catcher could provide production at a premium position when he brings his career .843 OPS against left-handers (.645 vs. righties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Morgan (5.69 FIP) at Philadelphia's hitter-friendly venue. Also of note: Norris and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in baseball with a .666 defensive efficiency ratio.
Kyle Schwarber (Cubs): By virtue of hitting 12 homers across his initial 150 at-bats, the rookie catcher already ranks among the elite options at his position. Schwarber could drive in multiple runs when he brings his 1.088 OPS against right-handers (.569 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Dodgers righty Mat Latos (4.81 ERA in 2015).
Andrew McCutchen (Pirates): With a lofty lifetime .330/.418/.575 slash line against left-handers, McCutchen has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The outfielder could be worth a major expenditure in DraftKings contests when he faces southpaw Chris Rusin (career 4.97 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) and a Rockies bullpen that sits last in baseball with a 4.91 ERA.
Starling Marte (Pirates): With 15 homers and 25 steals across 494 plate appearances, the outfielder has been a versatile contributor to DraftKings squads this season. Marte could produce in multiple ways when he brings his career .900 OPS against left-handers (.759 vs. righties) into a matchup with Rusin (4.97 ERA, 1.62 WHIP in 2015).
Aramis Ramirez (Pirates): The third baseman has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has registered a career .889 OPS (.818 vs. lefties). Ramirez could be part of a Pirates stack -- along with McCutchen, Marte and catcher Francisco Cervelli -- against Rusin. In his career, Rusin has allowed right-handed hitters such as Ramirez to post an .859 OPS (.739 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Robinson Cano (Mariners): Hitting .337 since July 1, the second baseman is back on track after a slow start to the season. Cano could improve on his impressive career .317/.364/.523 slash line against right-handers when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and faces White Sox righty Jeff Samardzija (4.75 ERA, 1.1 HR/9 rate in 2015) at offense-inducing U.S. Cellular Field.
Kyle Seager (Mariners): The third baseman will be poised to improve on his lifetime .789 OPS against right-handers (.682 vs. lefties) when he faces the inconsistent Samardzija at Chicago's hitter-friendly venue. Also of note: Seager and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a White Sox squad that sits 28th in baseball with a .673 defensive efficiency ratio.
Brett Gardner (Yankees): With balanced career splits, the outfielder will be in position to excel against rookie righty Matt Wisler (5.43 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 25th in baseball with a 4.26 ERA. Gardner may also swipe his 19th base of the season against A.J. Pierzynski, who has allowed more steals than all but four catchers in 2015.
Brian McCann (Yankees): The catcher will be poised to produce when he brings his lifetime .828 OPS against right-handers (.756 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Wisler and a suspect Braves bullpen. With 22 homers and 75 RBIs across 367 at-bats, McCann has been among the most productive catchers this season.
Ender Inciarte (D-backs): From his perch atop the lineup, Inciarte could thrive when he brings his balanced career splits into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against lefty Felix Doubront (career 4.69 ERA, 1.47 WHIP) and an A's relief corps that ranks 29th in the Majors with a 4.52 ERA.
Jacob deGrom (Mets): With a season-to-date 2.29 ERA and a 0.94 WHIP, deGrom has been one of the most effective starters in baseball this season. The right-hander could continue to compile quality frames when he works at home against the Red Sox in a seemingly advantageous matchup with righty Joe Kelly (5.18 ERA).
Kris Medlen (Royals): With a career 2.95 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, Medlen has the skills to thrive as a starter in front of a Royals squad that leads the Majors with a .709 defensive efficiency ratio. The right-hander could spin a gem when he works at pitcher-friendly Tropicana Field against a Rays lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .681 OPS against righties.
J.A. Happ (Pirates): With a career 4.24 ERA and a 1.39 WHIP, the left-hander could be an economical second starter in DraftKings contests when he plies his trade at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Rockies. Colorado ranks 26th in the Majors with a .669 OPS against southpaws and 27th with a .670 OPS on the road.
Luis Severino (Yankees): The rookie right-hander has excelled to the tune of a 2.74 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP across his initial four starts. Severino could notch a stellar start when he travels to pitcher-friendly Turner Field to face a Braves lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .681 OPS against righties and last in baseball with 81 homers.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.