D-backs could dominate vs. Pirates
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Wednesday.
Brian McCann (Yankees): The catcher could flash his power when he brings his career .830 OPS against right-handers (.755 vs. lefties) into a matchup at his hitter-friendly home park against Twins righty Ervin Santana (career 1.2 HR/9 rate). This season, Santana has struggled to the tune of a 5.66 ERA and a 1.47 WHIP.
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Alex Rodriguez (Yankees): In his career, Rodriguez has posted an impressive .301/.381/.557 slash line against right-handers. The slugger could excel at homer-happy Yankee Stadium when he faces Santana (career 4.21 ERA, 1.29 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 22nd in baseball with a 4.08 ERA.
Nelson Cruz (Mariners): As a big leaguer, Cruz has handled left-handers to the tune of a .916 OPS (.824 vs. righties). The outfielder could rip his 37th round-tripper of the season when he bats at offense-inducing Globe Life Park in Arlington against Rangers southpaw Derek Holland, who has been limited to one inning this season due to a shoulder injury.
Josh Donaldson (Blue Jays): With a lifetime .299/.379/.599 slash line against left-handers, Donaldson has proven to wield a potent bat in those matchups. The third baseman -- who has compiled 31 homers, 87 RBIs and 86 runs across 519 plate appearances this season -- could thrive at hitter-friendly Citizens Bank Park against rookie southpaw Adam Morgan (5.16 FIP, 1.29 WHIP).
Troy Tulowitzki (Blue Jays): The shortstop will be primed to improve on his lifetime .962 OPS against left-handers (.855 vs. righties) when he faces the inexperienced Morgan at Philadelphia's hitter-friendly venue. Tulowitzki could spark a high-scoring lineup, as the Blue Jays lead the Majors with an .823 OPS against southpaws.
Paul Goldschmidt (D-backs): With a career .333/.427/.613 slash line against left-handers, Goldschmidt has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The first baseman could be worth a notable investment in DraftKings contests when he faces Pirates southpaw J.A. Happ (lifetime 4.29 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
A.J. Pollock (D-backs): Hitting .313 with 12 homers and 29 steals this season, the outfielder possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings participants covet. Pollock could improve on his career .842 OPS against left-handers (.777 vs. righties) when he faces Happ, and he could swipe a base against Francisco Cervelli, who has allowed more steals than any other catcher in the Majors this season.
Michael Brantley (Indians): Since the outset of last season, the outfielder has posted a game-changing .333/.396/.520 slash line against right-handers. Brantley -- who has hit .322 with 28 homers and 36 steals since the outset of 2014 -- could contribute in multiple ways when he faces Red Sox righty Joe Kelly (5.69 ERA, 1.52 WHIP in 2015).
Jayson Werth (Nationals): Hitting .184 across 163 at-bats this season, Werth may have an economical cost in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime .923 OPS against left-handers (.793 vs. righties) into a matchup with southpaw Jorge De La Rosa (career 4.61, 1.44 WHIP). The outfielder could also excel late in the game at hitter-friendly Coors Field against a Rockies bullpen that sits last in baseball with a 4.83 ERA.
Ryan Zimmerman (Nationals): Zimmerman could flash his power when he brings his career .893 OPS against left-handers (.794 vs. righties) into a matchup with De La Rosa at Colorado's hitter-friendly venue. Also of note: Zimmerman and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .674 defensive efficiency ratio.
Dexter Fowler (Cubs): From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder could reach base often or score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .821 OPS against left-handers (.763 vs. righties) into a matchup with Tigers southpaw Daniel Norris (career 4.40 ERA, 1.45 WHIP). Fowler could also thrive late in the game against a Detroit relief corps that ranks 26th in baseball with a 4.21 ERA.
Joey Votto (Reds): Votto has used a patient, powerful approach to build an impressive lifetime .317/.431/.547 slash line against right-handers. The first baseman could drive in multiple runs at his hitter-friendly home park at the expense of Royals righty Jeremy Guthrie (5.63 ERA, 1.55 WHIP in 2015).
Jay Bruce (Reds): In his career, Bruce has registered an .817 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .723 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder -- who has hit 132 homers since the outset of 2011 -- could display his power when he hits at his offense-inducing home park against Guthrie (career 4.33 ERA, 1.34 WHIP, 1.2 HR/9 rate).
Wily Peralta (Brewers): With a season-to-date 4.07 ERA and a 1.41 WHIP, the right-hander could be an economical second starter in DraftKings contests when he faces a Marlins lineup that sits last in baseball with a .656 OPS vs. righties. Since returning from the disabled list on July 28, Peralta has tossed a quality start in three of four appearances.
Nathan Eovaldi (Yankees): The right-hander -- who has posted a 3.22 ERA across his past 10 starts -- could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he works at home against a Twins lineup that ranks 22nd in baseball with a .699 OPS against righties. Eovaldi may be unaffected by homer-prone Yankee Stadium, as he owns a lifetime 0.7 HR/9 rate.
Tyson Ross (Padres): With a season-to-date 3.40 ERA and a 9.6 K/9 rate, Ross has been a major factor in many DraftKings contests. The right-hander could compile strikeouts and quality frames when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Braves lineup that ranks 25th in baseball with a .688 OPS vs. righties and last in the Majors with 74 homers.
Corey Kluber (Indians): With a 2.58 FIP and 193 strikeouts across 180 2/3 innings this season, Kluber has the potential to post a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he faces the Red Sox in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Kelly. The right-hander has notched a complete-game win in three of his past four starts.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Monday's games.