Mets stack could overpower Phillies
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Monday.
Yoenis Cespedes (Mets): With balanced career splits, the outfielder will be poised to drive in multiple runs when he visits hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park to face Phillies rookie southpaw Adam Morgan (5.06 FIP). Also of note: Cespedes and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .667 defensive efficiency ratio.
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Michael Cuddyer (Mets): The outfielder has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has registered a career .871 OPS (.776 vs. righties). Hitting .250 with eight homers across 320 at-bats this season, Cuddyer could be an economical addition to DraftKings lineups when he faces Morgan at Philadelphia's offense-inducing venue.
Juan Lagares (Mets): Lagares has posted notable lifetime splits, with a .766 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .625 mark vs. righties. The outfielder could be part of a cost-effective Mets stack -- with Cespedes, Cuddyer and shortstop Wilmer Flores -- against the inexperienced Morgan.
Melky Cabrera (White Sox): From a premium lineup spot, Cabrera could thrive when he brings his balanced career splits into a contest at his hitter-friendly home park against righty Joe Kelly (career 1.40 WHIP). The White Sox outfielder could also fare well late in the game against a Red Sox relief corps that ranks 23rd in baseball with a 4.16 ERA.
Adam Eaton (White Sox): Hitting .327 with six steals across 118 plate appearances since July 25, Eaton has been a notable factor in many recent DraftKings contests. From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder could reach base often or score multiple runs against Kelly, who has struggled this season to the tune of a 5.37 ERA and a 1.50 WHIP.
Adam LaRoche (White Sox): Hitting .210 across 377 at-bats this season, the slugger could have a reduced price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his career .833 OPS against right-handers (.698 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the struggling Kelly. Also of note: LaRoche and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Red Sox squad that is tied for 25th in the Majors with a .679 defensive efficiency ratio.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): With 20 homers and 54 RBIs across 220 at-bats since June 11, Ortiz has reemerged as a dangerous power hitter after a slow start to the season. The slugger could rip a round-tripper at homer-happy U.S. Cellular Field when he brings his lofty lifetime .293/.397/.576 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with righty Jeff Samardzija (4.64 ERA, 1.1 HR/9 rate in 2015).
Chris Davis (Orioles): With 15 homers and 36 RBIs across 107 at-bats since July 22, Davis is arguably the hottest hitter in baseball. The first baseman could put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .855 OPS against right-handers (.756 vs. lefties) on the line against Royals righty Kris Medlen, who will be making his first start since 2013.
Joey Votto (Reds): The first baseman has used a patient, powerful approach to build an impressive career .316/.431/.547 slash line against right-handers. Batting at his hitter-friendly home park, Votto could drive in multiple runs at the expense of righty Buck Farmer (career 9.26 ERA, 1.85 WHIP) and a Tigers relief corps that sits 26th in baseball with a 4.31 ERA.
Nelson Cruz (Mariners): As a big leaguer, Cruz has handled left-handers to the tune of a .919 OPS (.824 vs. righties). The outfielder -- who leads all Major League hitters with 77 homers since the outset of last season -- could post a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he faces A's southpaw Felix Doubront (career 4.71 ERA, 1.47 WHIP).
Jhonny Peralta (Cardinals): The shortstop will be poised to improve on his career .797 OPS against left-handers (.745 vs. righties) when he travels to offense-inducing Chase Field to face D-backs southpaw Robbie Ray (career 4.55 ERA, 1.41 WHIP).
Neil Walker (Pirates): In his career, the second baseman has posted an .801 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .658 mark vs. lefties. Walker could provide production at a premium position when he faces Marlins right-hander Tom Koehler (career 4.09 ERA, 1.31 WHIP).
Jacob deGrom (Mets): With a season-to-date 1.98 ERA and a 0.89 WHIP, the right-hander could be worth a major investment in DraftKings contests when he faces a Phillies lineup that ranks 27th in baseball with a .684 OPS against righties. He will also be poised to come away with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Morgan.
Hisashi Iwakuma (Mariners): The right-hander -- who owns an impressive career 3.16 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP -- could compile quality frames when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against an A's lineup that ranks 22nd in the Majors with a .701 OPS vs. righties. Iwakuma could also come away with a win if his supporting cast can have success against the inconsistent Doubront.
Jorge De La Rosa (Rockies): The left-hander could have success when he faces the Braves at pitcher-friendly Turner Field. Atlanta ranks 29th in baseball with a .647 OPS against southpaws and last in the Majors with 76 homers.
Julio Teheran (Braves): DraftKings participants who do not select De La Rosa may instead opt for his mound opponent. Teheran has struggled this season to the tune of a 4.32 ERA, but he has posted an impressive 2.44 mark when working at his pitcher-friendly home park in 2015. The right-hander could turn in an effective start when he faces a Rockies lineup that ranks 27th in the Majors with a .671 OPS on the road.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.