D-backs powerful bats could blast Brewers, Garza
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Sunday.
Paul Goldschmidt (D-backs): The first baseman, who is hitting .345 with 21 homers, 73 RBIs and 17 steals across 422 plate appearances, has been a difference-maker in many 2015 DraftKings contests. He could improve on his career .291/.386/.512 slash line against right-handers when he hits at homer-happy Chase Field against Brewers righty Matt Garza, who has struggled this season to the tune of a 5.23 ERA and a 1.53 WHIP.
Jake Lamb (D-backs): The third baseman -- who was a career .321 hitter in the Minors -- has registered a .694 OPS against right-handers (.560 vs. lefties) in his brief Major League career. Lamb could join Goldschmidt and outfielder Ender Inciarte in a D-backs stack against Garza.
Scooter Gennett (Brewers): The second baseman has produced pronounced lifetime splits, with an .827 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .296 mark vs. lefties. He could join outfielder Gerardo Parra in a cost-effective Brewers stack against Jeremy Hellickson, who has a 4.96 ERA since the outset of 2013.
Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): In his career, the outfielder has fared best when facing right-handers (.301/.365/.552 slash line) and when batting at Coors Field (.333/.394/.615 slash line). On Sunday, Gonzalez has the skills to drive in multiple runs when he hits at home against Reds rookie righty Michael Lorenzen (5.51 FIP).
Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): With 12 homers and 25 steals across 404 plate appearances, the outfielder has been a notable contributor to DraftKings squads on many occasions this season. Blackmon could reach base often against Lorenzen (career 1.51 WHIP) or swipe a base against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted six of 48 would-be base stealers this season.
Nick Hundley (Rockies): The catcher -- who has registered a .943 OPS at Coors Field this season -- has produced a lifetime .731 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .594 mark vs. lefties. Hundley could be part of an impactful Rockies stack -- along with Gonzalez, Blackmon and first baseman Ben Paulsen -- against the inexperienced Lorenzen.
Jay Bruce (Reds): As a big leaguer, the outfielder has handled right-handers to the tune of an .816 OPS (.733 vs. righties). To close out the weekend, Bruce could drive in multiple runs at hitter-friendly Coors Field against righty Kyle Kendrick (career 4.57 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks last in the Majors with a 4.65 ERA.
Joey Votto (Reds): The first baseman has combined a patient approach with notable power to build a lofty lifetime .317/.429/.549 slash line against righties. Facing Kendrick (6.12 ERA, 1.50 WHIP in 2015) at an offense-inducing venue, Votto will be poised for a productive afternoon.
Eugenio Suarez (Reds): Suarez -- who' s hitting .306 with five homers across 121 at-bats this season and owns balanced career splits -- could be an economical portion of a Reds stack against Kendrick. Of note: Suarez and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies unit that ranks 27th in the Majors with a .676 defensive efficiency ratio.
Mike Trout (Angels): The outfielder may be worth a large investment in DraftKings contests when he brings his impressive career .312/.398/.570 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with Rangers righty Nick Martinez (lifetime 4.87 FIP, 1.44 WHIP). Trout -- who is hitting .306 with 29 homers across 350 at-bats this season -- could also excel late in the game against a Rangers bullpen that sits 29th in baseball with a 4.48 ERA.
Kole Calhoun (Angels): Hitting .315 with six homers and 17 RBIs across 73 at-bats this month, the outfielder is playing his best baseball of the season. Calhoun -- who owns balanced career splits -- could be stacked with Trout in hopes that the latter will drive in the former on multiple occasions.
Odrisamer Despaigne (Padres): With a season-to-date 4.98 ERA, Despaigne could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime 3.34 ERA at Petco Park into a home contest against the Marlins. Miami ranks 27th in the Majors with a .663 OPS against right-handers and will be without offensive centerpiece Giancarlo Stanton, who is on the disabled list.
Mat Latos (Marlins): DraftKings participants who pass on Despaigne may opt for his mound opponent. After a slow start to the season, Latos has excelled to the tune of a 2.72 ERA across his past six starts. On Sunday, the Marlins right-hander will be in position to thrive at pitcher-friendly Petco Park against a Padres lineup that ranks 26th in baseball with .663 OPS against righties.
Danny Salazar (Indians): With 309 strikeouts across 266 2/3 career innings, the right-hander has the immense upside that is coveted by DraftKings participants in contests with a high number of entrants. Salazar may combine several whiffs with effective innings when he works at home against a White Sox lineup that ranks last in baseball with 324 runs scored.
Jason Hammel (Cubs): With a season-to-date 2.82 ERA and a 0.98 WHIP, Hammel has been a notable asset in several 2015 DraftKings contests. The right-hander is poised to thrive when he plies his trade at home against a Phillies lineup that sits last in the Majors with a .654 OPS against righties.
Andrew Heaney (Angels): Heaney has produced an impressive 1.57 ERA and a 0.82 WHIP since joining the Halos rotation on June 24. The left-hander could continue to excel when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Rangers lineup that sits 25th in the Majors with a .666 OPS against southpaws and possesses several key members who bat from the left side.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.