Blue Jays sluggers could smoke O's
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants today.
Chris Davis (Orioles): With 43 homers and 110 RBIs across 547 at-bats, the first baseman has been a difference-maker in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Davis could rip a round-tripper when he brings his lifetime .868 OPS against right-handers (.741 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his homer-happy home park against Blue Jays righty Marco Estrada (career 1.3 HR/9 rate).
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Jose Bautista (Blue Jays): Since the outset of the 2010 season, the outfielder has produced a .268/.389/.559 slash line against right-handers. From the three-hole in the highest-scoring lineup in baseball, Bautista could drive in multiple runs when he faces righty Chris Tillman (career 4.22 ERA, 1.31 WHIP) at homer-happy Camden Yards.
Edwin Encarnacion (Blue Jays): Hitting .340 with 16 homers and 49 RBIs across 162 at-bats since Aug. 1, the first baseman has been a game-changer in many recent DraftKings contests. Encarnacion could rip a round-tripper and drive in multiple runs when he faces Tillman (5.16 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 2015) at Baltimore's hitter-friendly venue.
Ben Revere (Blue Jays): This season, the outfielder has produced a .754 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .612 mark vs. lefties. From his perch atop the lineup, Revere could reach base often and score multiple runs against Tillman (career 4.51 FIP). He could be part of a productive lineup, as the Blue Jays lead the Majors with a .786 OPS against righties.
Ryan Goins (Blue Jays): With a .379 on-base percentage since Aug. 16, the shortstop has been an economical option at a premium position in several recent DraftKings contests. Goins could be part of a Blue Jays stack -- with Bautista, Encarnacion, Revere and first baseman Justin Smoak -- against Tillman.
Michael Brantley (Indians): Since the outset of last season, the outfielder has posted a game-changing .331/.393/.524 slash line against right-handers. Brantley has the plate skills to excel in a matchup with Twins righty Phil Hughes (4.43 ERA, 1.29 WHIP in 2015). He also has the speed to swipe his 15th bag of the season against Kurt Suzuki, who has allowed more steals than all but two catchers in 2015.
Jason Kipnis (Indians): From his perch atop the lineup, Kipnis will be poised to contribute in multiple ways when he puts his lifetime .805 OPS against right-handers (.663 vs. lefties) to the test against Hughes (career 4.33 ERA, 1.28 WHIP). He could also excel late in the game against a Twins relief corps that ranks 21st in the Majors with a 4.02 ERA.
Anthony Gose (Tigers): The outfielder could be an economical addition to DraftKings lineups when he brings his lifetime .688 OPS against right-handers (.515 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Colby Lewis (career 4.76 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Rangers Ballpark in Arlington. As a big leaguer, Lewis has allowed left-handed hitters such as Gose to post an .813 OPS (.728 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Jose Altuve (Astros): With a career .354/.398/.497 slash line against left-handers, Altuve has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. From his premium lineup spot, the second baseman could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces Mariners southpaw Roenis Elias (lifetime 1.29 WHIP).
Carlos Correa (Astros): With 21 homers and 12 steals across 400 plate appearances, the rookie shortstop has already emerged as an elite option at his premium position. Correa could post a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he brings his .969 OPS against left-handers (.824 vs. righties) into a matchup with Elias (lifetime 4.10 FIP).
Mike Trout (Angels): Hitting .297 with 40 homers across 548 at-bats this season, the outfielder continues to be one of the best hitters in baseball. Trout will be in prime position to improve on his lifetime .288/.397/.526 slash line against left-handers when he faces A's southpaw Felix Doubront (career 4.88 ERA, 1.48 WHIP).
Albert Pujols (Angels): With a lifetime .315/.406/.601 slash line against left-handers, the first baseman will be poised to drive in multiple runs when he faces Doubront (5.53 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 2015). Pujols could also excel late in the game against an A's bullpen that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.73 ERA.
J.A. Happ (Pirates): Since joining the Bucs' rotation on Aug. 4, the left-hander has posted a 2.28 ERA and a 1.13 WHIP. Happ could continue his recent run of success when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Cardinals lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .668 OPS against southpaws.
Corey Kluber (Indians): With a season-to-date 2.96 FIP and 10.0 K/9 rate, the 2014 AL Cy Young award winner continues to be one of the most dominant hurlers in the Junior Circuit. Kluber could spin a gem when he faces a Twins lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .698 OPS against righties.
Zack Greinke (Dodgers): With a 1.65 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, the right-hander has been arguably the most effective starter in the Majors this season. Greinke has the skills to continue to silence the opposition when he faces the Giants at pitcher-friendly AT&T Park.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.