Blue Jays stack could soar vs. Tigers
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Friday.
Neil Walker (Pirates): The second baseman could provide production from a premium position when he brings his lifetime .801 OPS against right-handers (.660 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Rockies righty Jon Gray. The rookie hurler has posted a 5.94 ERA and a 1.38 WHIP across his initial 16 2/3 career innings.
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Gregory Polanco (Pirates): The outfielder has produced pronounced career splits, with a .746 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .532 mark vs. lefties. From his perch atop the lineup, Polanco could maximize his opportunities to produce against Gray and a Rockies relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 4.91 ERA. Also of note: Polanco and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that ranks 29th in baseball with a .672 defensive efficiency ratio.
Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays): With a career .299/.381/.603 slash line against left-handers, Donaldson has proven to wield a potent bat in those matchups. The third baseman -- who has compiled 34 homers, 101 RBIs and 97 runs scored across 555 plate appearances this season -- could be worth a major expenditure in DraftKings contests when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Tigers rookie southpaw Matt Boyd (7.04 ERA, 1.63 WHIP).
Troy Tulowitzki (Blue Jays): As a big leaguer, Tulowitzki has excelled against left-handers to the tune of a .960 OPS (.853 vs. righties). Hitting out of the leadoff spot, the shortstop could maximize his opportunities to produce against the inexperienced Boyd and a Tigers bullpen that ranks 27th in baseball with a 4.43 ERA.
Kevin Pillar (Blue Jays): Hitting .225 since the All-Star break, Pillar could have an economical price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his career .710 OPS against left-handers (.644 vs. righties) into a matchup with Boyd. The outfielder could be part of a productive lineup on Friday, as the Blue Jays lead the Majors with an .829 OPS vs. southpaws.
Ryan Howard (Phillies): The first baseman will be in position to smack a homer when he brings his impressive career .945 OPS against right-handers (.718 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Padres righty Ian Kennedy. The right-handed hurler owns a lifetime 1.1 HR/9 rate that includes a 1.8 mark this season.
Nelson Cruz (Mariners): In his career, the outfielder -- who has slugged 79 homers since the outset of last season -- has produced an impressive .300/.374/.548 slash line against left-handers. Cruz could rip a round-tripper at hitter-friendly U.S. Cellular Field when he faces White Sox southpaw John Danks (4.90 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 2015).
Josh Reddick (A's): The outfielder could improve on his lifetime .768 OPS against right-handers (.686 vs. lefties) when he takes on righty Chase Anderson (career 4.15 ERA, 1.34 WHIP) at offense-inducing Chase Field.
Brett Gardner (Yankees): With balanced career splits, the outfielder will be in position to thrive when he faces rookie righty Williams Perez (4.76 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) and a Braves relief corps that ranks 25th in baseball with a 4.26 ERA. Gardner may also swipe his 19th base of the season at the expense of A.J. Pierzynski, who has allowed more steals than all but four catchers in 2015.
Brian McCann (Yankees): The catcher will be poised to offer production from a premium position when he brings his lifetime .828 OPS against right-handers (.756 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Perez 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.
Prince Fielder (Rangers): The first baseman could reach base often or drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .960 OPS against right-handers (.796 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Orioles righty Kevin Gausman (career 4.22 ERA).
Shin-Soo Choo (Rangers): Choo owns notable career splits, with a .902 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .671 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder could drive in multiple runs when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against Gausman. Choo may be part of a productive offense, as the Rangers' lineup contains many key sluggers who have traditionally done their best work vs. righties.
Francisco Liriano (Pirates): With a 3.23 ERA and a 1.16 WHIP this year, Liriano has been a viable No. 1 starter option in many DraftKings contests. The left-hander could spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Rockies lineup that ranks 27th in the Majors in OPS against southpaws (.669) and OPS on the road (.670).
Clayton Kershaw (Dodgers): Arguably the best pitcher in baseball, Kershaw has posted a 1.94 ERA since the outset of the 2013 season and an 11.3 K/9 rate during the current campaign. The left-hander could notch a stellar start when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Cubs lineup that ranks 21st in baseball with a .698 OPS against southpaws and leads the Majors with 1,145 strikeouts.
Masahiro Tanaka (Yankees): Despite often working at hitter-friendly parks against deep American League lineups, Tanaka has posted a 3.16 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP since beginning his Major League career last season. The right-hander may thrive when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field against a Braves lineup that sits 29th in the Majors with a .681 OPS against righties and ranks last in baseball with 81 homers.
Max Scherzer (Nationals): The right-hander could be worth a major expenditure in DraftKings contests when he brings his season-to-date 2.79 ERA and 0.93 WHIP into a matchup at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Marlins. Miami -- which has played without injured slugger Giancarlo Stanton for awhile -- ranks last in baseball with a .664 OPS against righties.
Aaron Nola (Phillies): With a 3.59 ERA and a 1.15 WHIP, the talented rookie righty has fared well across his initial seven starts. Nola could continue to succeed when he faces a Padres lineup that ranks 26th in baseball with a .689 OPS against right-handers.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.