Santana, Gomes could be key vs. Locke
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Carlos Santana (Indians): As a big leaguer, Santana has handled left-handers to the tune of an .829 OPS (.784 vs. righties). The first baseman could reach base often or drive in multiple runs against Pirates southpaw Jeff Locke (career 1.39 WHIP).
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Yan Gomes (Indians): Hitting .205 this season, the catcher could have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he meets up with Locke (4.55 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 2015). Gomes hit .278 with 21 homers across 485 at-bats last season, and he has posted a lifetime .824 OPS against left-handers (.716 vs. righties).
Adam LaRoche (White Sox): LaRoche could hit a home run when he takes his career .841 OPS against right-handers (.710 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Orioles fly-ball-prone righty Chris Tillman (career 1.2 HR/9 rate).
Mike Moustakas (Royals): The third baseman -- who is hitting .308 this season -- could reach base often when he puts his lifetime .715 OPS against right-handers (.610 vs. lefties) to the test against Twins righty Mike Pelfrey (career 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP).
Scooter Gennett (Brewers): Gennett has recorded some of the most lopsided splits in baseball, with an .826 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .305 mark vs. lefties. The second baseman could excel at offense-inducing Great American Ball Park against righty Josh Smith, who will be making his third Major League start after posting a 5.63 ERA and a 2.13 WHIP across his initial two outings.
Jean Segura (Brewers): With balanced career splits, Segura could be part of a Brewers stack against the 27-year-old Smith, who produced a 1.26 WHIP across 716 Minor League innings. And if he reaches base, Segura may get the green light against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted only five of 33 would-be basestealers this season.
Gerardo Parra (Brewers): With notable career splits that include a .761 OPS against right-handers and a .598 mark vs. lefties, the outfielder could be in position to thrive against the rookie righty Smith (7.01 FIP). DraftKings participants could combine Parra, Gennett and Segura with first baseman Adam Lind to form an economical Brewers stack of players with pronounced lifetime splits.
Nick Markakis (Braves): Markakis -- who has posted a .383 on-base percentage this season -- could reach base often when he faces Phillies righty Kevin Correia (career 4.58 ERA, 1.42 WHIP). In his career, the outfielder has logged an .814 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .736 mark vs. lefties.
Cameron Maybin (Braves): The outfielder -- who has hit .302 since May 1 -- could excel from a premium lineup position when he brings his lifetime .694 OPS against right-handers (.649 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Correia (1.65 WHIP in 2015). DraftKings participants should note that Maybin and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies defense that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .663 defensive efficiency ratio.
Miguel Montero (Cubs): Montero has produced significant lifetime splits, with a .794 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .661 mark vs. lefties. The catcher could provide production from a premium position at the expense of Marlins righty Jarred Cosart (career 1.35 WHIP).
David Peralta (D-backs): As a big leaguer, Peralta has recorded an .840 OPS against right-handers that greatly exceeds his .575 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder could drive in multiple runs at his hitter-friendly home park against righty David Hale (5.95 ERA, 1.39 WHIP in 2015) and a Rockies bullpen that sits last in baseball with a 4.83 ERA.
Paul Goldschmidt (D-backs): With several economical options listed among the previous picks, DraftKings participants could have room to make a sizable investment in Goldschmidt, who is hitting .352 with 20 homers, 65 RBIs and 15 steals across 349 plate appearances this season. As a big leaguer, the first baseman has handled right-handers like Hale to the tune of a .290/.384/.515 slash line.
Kendall Graveman (A's): Since rejoining the rotation on May 23, the right-hander has allowed 12 runs across eight starts. Graveman could continue to compile quality frames when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Mariners lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .658 OPS against righties and 29th with 267 runs scored.
Clay Buchholz (Red Sox): The right-hander has bounced back from a rough 2014 by posting a 2.61 FIP with 96 strikeouts across 101 innings through 16 starts this season. Buchholz could continue to accumulate effective innings and strikeouts when he faces an Astros lineup that leads the Majors with 754 whiffs.
Zack Greinke (Dodgers): Since joining the Dodgers at the outset of the 2013 season, Greinke has posted a 2.43 ERA that includes a 2.22 mark at his pitcher-friendly home park. The right-hander could continue to thrive at Dodger Stadium when he faces a Mets lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .646 OPS against righties.
Carlos Martinez (Cardinals): With a season-to-date 2.80 ERA that factors in a 1.35 mark in his past eight starts, the right-hander has taken a notable step forward in his first year as a full-time Major League starter. Martinez could continue to thrive when he works at home against a Padres lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .668 OPS against right-handers. And once he leaves the game, the 23-year-old should be well-supported by a St. Louis bullpen that ranks second in baseball with a 2.18 ERA.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.