Dodgers could dominate in Philadelphia
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Thursday.
Jason Heyward (Cardinals): The outfielder has produced pronounced lifetime splits, with an .831 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .667 mark vs. lefties. Heyward could drive in multiple runs when he faces Reds rookie righty Michael Lorenzen (career 4.80 ERA) at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. He could also steal his 17th base of the season against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted six of 49 would-be base stealers in 2015.
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Matt Carpenter (Cardinals): Carpenter will be in position to improve on his career .834 OPS against right-handers (.764 vs. lefties) when he faces the inexperienced Lorenzen (1.58 WHIP) at Cincinnati's hitter-friendly venue. The third baseman may also excel late in the game against a Reds bullpen that ranks 26th in baseball with a 4.15 ERA.
Randal Grichuk (Cardinals): Hitting .295 with 11 homers across 237 at-bats since being recalled on May 16, the outfielder has been an asset in many recent DraftKings contests. Grichuk could continue to excel when he brings his career .868 OPS against right-handers (.799 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Lorenzen (5.82 FIP).
Brandon Moss (Cardinals): Having compiled 90 of his 106 career homers against right-handers, the outfielder may put a ball into the outfield seats when he faces Lorenzen (1.6 HR/9 rate) at Cincinnati's homer-happy park.
Adrian Gonzalez (Dodgers): The first baseman will be in position to improve on his lofty lifetime .301/.377/.532 slash line against right-handers when he faces righty David Buchanan at offense-inducing Citizens Bank Park. Buchanan has struggled this season to the tune of a 6.44 ERA and a 1.66 WHIP.
Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers): The catcher may provide production at a premium position when he puts his lifetime .824 OPS against right-handers (.738 vs. lefties) on the line against Buchanan (career 4.47 ERA, 1.39 WHIP) at Philadelphia's hitter-friendly venue. Also of note: the catcher will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in baseball with a .664 defensive efficiency ratio.
Andre Ethier (Dodgers): Ethier owns notable lifetime splits, with an .887 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .639 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder may be part of a productive lineup on Thursday, as the Dodgers rank sixth in the Majors with a .754 OPS against righties.
Adam Lind (Brewers): The first baseman will be in position to thrive when he puts his lifetime .864 OPS against right-handers (.588 vs. lefties) on the line against Padres righty Odrisamer Despaigne (career 4.08 ERA) at hitter-friendly Miller Park. This season, Lind has compiled 16 homers and 55 RBIs across 280 at-bats against righties.
Scooter Gennett (Brewers): The second baseman owns some of the most lopsided splits in baseball, with an .813 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .296 mark vs. lefties. Gennett could thrive against Despaigne, who in his career has posted a 5.08 ERA when working away from his pitcher-friendly home park.
Jean Segura (Brewers): With balanced career splits, the shortstop may reach base often when he bats at his offense-inducing home park against Despaigne. Segura also has the opportunity to swipe his 17th base of the season against Derek Norris, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher in 2015.
Bryce Harper (Nationals): Hitting .330 with 29 homers and 68 RBIs across 339 at-bats, the outfielder has been among the best hitters in baseball this season. Harper will be poised to improve on his lifetime .927 OPS against right-handers (.775 vs. lefties) when he faces D-backs righty Jeremy Hellickson (4.98 ERA since 2013).
Hanley Ramirez (Red Sox): The outfielder will bring an impressive career .302/.382/.521 slash line against left-handers into a matchup with southpaw CC Sabathia at homer-happy Yankee Stadium. Since the outset of the 2013 season, Sabathia has posted a 5.08 ERA and allowed 62 homers across 60 starts.
Xander Bogaerts (Red Sox): The shortstop -- who is hitting .315 this season -- could score multiple runs from a premium lineup spot when he puts his career .844 OPS against left-handers (.641 vs. righties) to the test against Sabathia (5.54 ERA, 1.44 WHIP in 2015).
Zack Greinke (Dodgers): With a 1.41 ERA and a 0.83 WHIP, Greinke has been arguably the best pitcher in baseball this season. He will be primed to spin a gem when he faces a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in baseball with a .670 OPS vs. righties. Greinke could come away with a win if his talented supporting cast can have success against Buchanan.
Matt Wisler (Braves): The rookie righty could hold the opposition in check when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Marlins lineup that ranks last in baseball with a .651 OPS vs. righties. Wisler may be facing Miami at the right time, as it will be without offensive centerpiece Giancarlo Stanton, who is on the disabled list.
Matt Garza (Brewers): DraftKings participants may be inclined to avoid Garza due to his season-to-date 5.17 ERA and 1.53 WHIP, but he has posted a 3.06 ERA across his past three starts and he owns a 3.92 career mark. The right-hander may continue to get his season on track when he faces a Padres lineup that sits 26th in the Majors with a .678 OPS vs. righties. Garza could come away with a win if his supporting cast can extend Despaigne's career-long road woes.
Chris Heston (Giants): With a 3.24 ERA, the rookie righty has been a cost-effective starter for DraftKings participants on several occasions this season. Heston could compile strikeouts and quality frames when he faces a Cubs lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .682 OPS against right-handers and has the most whiffs (967) in baseball.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.