Marlins hitters could go big vs. Braves
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants today.
Dee Gordon (Marlins): The second baseman will be in position to reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .705 OPS against right-handers (.662 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Braves rookie righty Ryan Weber (3.99 FIP). Gordon could also swipe his 54th bag of the season against A.J. Pierzynski, who has allowed more steals than all but five catchers in 2015.
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Christian Yelich (Marlins): The outfielder owns a lifetime .791 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .678 mark vs. lefties. Yelich could have a terrific game when he faces the inexperienced Weber (19 1/3 innings in the Majors) and a Braves bullpen that ranks 29th in baseball with a 4.70 ERA.
Justin Bour (Marlins): The first baseman has produced pronounced career splits, with a .794 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .616 mark vs. lefties. Bour could drive in multiple runs or rip a round-tripper when he faces Weber, who worked primarily as a reliever in the Minors this season.
Brian Dozier (Twins): With 28 homers across 588 at-bats, the second baseman has been the most powerful player at his premium position this season. Dozier could rip a round-tripper when he brings his lifetime .829 OPS against left-handers (.694 vs. righties) into a matchup with Tigers rookie southpaw Matt Boyd (7.40 ERA, 1.60 WHIP).
Trevor Plouffe (Twins): The third baseman has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .814 OPS (.700 vs. righties). Plouffe could drive in multiple runs when he faces Boyd (6.34 FIP) and a Tigers bullpen that ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.52 ERA.
Aaron Hicks (Twins): This season, the outfielder has produced a .904 OPS against left-handers, in comparison to a .666 mark vs. righties. Hicks could be an economical part of a Twins stack -- with Dozier, Plouffe and outfielder Eddie Rosario -- against Boyd and a suspect Tigers relief corps.
Andre Ethier (Dodgers): Ethier has registered notable career splits, with an .888 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .635 mark vs. lefties. The outfielder could be a cost-effective option in DraftKings contests when heads to offense-inducing Coors Field to face righty David Hale (career 4.37 ERA, 1.44 WHIP).
Adrian Gonzalez (Dodgers): With an impressive lifetime .299/.375/.529 slash line against right-handers, the first baseman could excel against Hale (6.32 ERA, 1.46 WHIP in 2015) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks last in baseball with a 4.75 ERA. Also of note: Gonzalez and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Colorado squad that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .670 defensive efficiency ratio.
Corey Seager (Dodgers): Hitting .353 across 68 at-bats since joining the lineup on Sept. 3, the shortstop has been a cost-effective option at a premium position in recent DraftKings contests. Seager could excel at Colorado's hitter-friendly venue against Hale, who in his career has allowed left-handed hitters such as Seager to post an .805 OPS (.742 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): In his career, the outfielder has fared best when facing right-handers (.300/.365/.561 slash line) and when batting at his offense-inducing home park (.330/.391/.619 line). Gonzalez -- who has compiled 37 homers and 90 RBIs across 520 at-bats this season -- could display his power when he hits in Colorado against Dodgers righty Mike Bolsinger (career 4.02 ERA, 1.40 WHIP).
DJ LeMahieu (Rockies): Hitting .304 with 23 steals and 80 runs across 590 plate appearances, the second baseman has posted the best stats of his career in 2015. With balanced lifetime splits and a career .779 OPS at Coors Field (.617 on the road), LeMahieu could fare well against Bolsinger (1.30 WHIP in 2015).
David Peralta (D-backs): Hitting .311 with 16 homers and 76 RBIs across 447 at-bats, the outfielder has been one of this season's breakout performers. Peralta will bring his career .892 OPS against right-handers (.607 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Casey Kelly, who will be making his first start since 2012.
Jose Abreu (White Sox): Since arriving in the Majors last season, the first baseman has posted an impressive .294/.375/.511 slash line against left-handers. On Friday, Abreu could rip a round-tripper when he visits homer-happy Yankee Stadium to face southpaw CC Sabathia (4.80 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 2015). Since the outset of 2013, Sabathia has surrendered 64 homers across 67 starts.
Jordan Zimmermann (Nationals): The right-hander will be in position to improve on his lifetime 3.28 ERA and 1.16 WHIP when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .675 OPS against righties.
Jose Fernandez (Marlins): With a 2.18 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP across nine starts this year, the right-hander has regained his ace status following Tommy John surgery. Fernandez could spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Braves lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .678 OPS against right-handers and last by a wide margin with 91 homers.
Garrett Richards (Angels): The right-hander -- who has a 3.20 ERA since the outset of last season -- will be in position to excel when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Mariners lineup that ranks 17th in baseball with a .721 OPS against righties.
Rich Hill (Red Sox): With a 20-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio across a pair of starts since joining the rotation on Sept. 13, the left-hander could be poised to succeed when he faces an Orioles lineup that ranks 24th in the Majors with a .681 OPS against southpaws. Hill may also rack up strikeouts, as Baltimore is third in baseball with 1,260 whiffs.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.