Rox could rake at home vs. Padres
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Adam Lind (Brewers): The first baseman will bring a career .865 OPS against right-handers (.587 vs. lefties) into a contest at his hitter-friendly home park against Phillies righty Jerome Williams (5.73 ERA, 1.63 WHIP in 2015). This season, Lind has hit .299 with 17 homers and 60 RBIs across 298 at-bats against righties.
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Scooter Gennett (Brewers): Gennett owns some of the most lopsided career splits in baseball, with an .806 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .287 mark vs. lefties. The second baseman could reach base often or score multiple runs against Williams (career 4.53 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). Also of note: Gennett and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .661 defensive efficiency ratio.
Andrew McCutchen (Pirates): With a lifetime .327/.414/.567 slash line against left-handers, the outfielder has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. McCutchen -- who owns a season-to-date .395 on-base percentage -- could reach base often when he faces Mets southpaw Jon Niese (career 1.35 WHIP).
Aramis Ramirez (Pirates): Hitting .246 with a .289 on-base percentage this season, Ramirez could have an economical price tag in DraftKings contests on Saturday. With a career .893 OPS against right-handers (.817 vs. lefties), the third baseman will be in position to succeed against Niese (4.10 FIP, 1.31 WHIP in 2015).
Jhonny Peralta (Cardinals): With 16 homers and 56 RBIs across 430 at-bats, the shortstop has been among the most productive players at his premium position this season. Peralta could thrive when he puts his lifetime .796 OPS against left-handers (.745 vs. righties) on the line against Marlins southpaw Brad Hand (career 4.39 ERA, 1.37 WHIP).
Kevin Kiermaier (Rays): The outfielder has produced pronounced lifetime splits, with a .772 OPS against right-handers in comparison with a .540 mark vs. lefties. Kiermaier will be primed to excel when he faces righty Colby Lewis (career 4.81 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Globe Life Park in Arlington.
John Jaso (Rays): Jaso -- who is eligible at catcher in DraftKings contests -- could provide production from a premium position when he puts his lifetime .797 OPS against right-handers (.519 vs. lefties) to the test against Lewis. In his career, Lewis has allowed left-handed hitters such as Jaso to post an .820 OPS (.726 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Michael Brantley (Indians): Since the outset of last season, Brantley has shown the ability to contribute to DraftKings squads in multiple ways by hitting .321 with 28 homers and 35 steals. The outfielder could reach base often when he faces Twins righty Tyler Duffey, who will be making his second Major League start. Brantley may also swipe a bag against Kurt Suzuki, who has allowed more steals than all but three catchers this season.
Josh Reddick (A's): Reddick has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has produced a career .772 OPS (.672 vs. lefties). The outfielder will be primed to rip a round-tripper when he faces fly-ball-prone righty Miguel Gonzalez (career 1.3 HR/9 rate) at homer-happy Camden Yards.
Stephen Vogt (A's): The catcher -- who has compiled 15 homers and 60 RBIs across 353 at-bats this season -- will be in position to display his power when he brings his career .764 OPS against right-handers (.616 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Gonzalez (1.5 HR/9 rate in 2015) at Baltimore's hitter-friendly venue.
Nick Hundley (Rockies): The catcher -- who has posted a .353/.386/.571 slash line at his hitter-friendly home park this season -- will be set to excel when he bats at home against Padres right-hander Andrew Cashner (4.09 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 2015). In his career, Hundley has registered a .727 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .606 mark vs. lefties.
Carlos Gonzalez (Rockies): Hitting .356 with 16 homers across 118 at-bats since July 5, the outfielder may be the hottest hitter in baseball. Gonzalez -- who owns a career .303/.367/.561 slash line against right-handers and a lifetime .334/.395/.619 slash line at Coors Field -- could continue to rake when he faces Cashner.
Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): With 13 homers, 66 runs and 30 steals across 487 plate appearances, the outfielder has been a major factor in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Blackmon could reach base often against Cashner (4.20 road ERA since 2013) or swipe a base against Derek Norris, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher this season.
Jake Arrieta (Cubs): With a 2.62 ERA and a 1.01 WHIP since joining the Cubs in 2013, the right-hander has established himself as a bona fide fantasy ace. Arrieta could spin a game when he takes on a White Sox lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with 422 runs and 22nd in baseball with a .698 OPS against righties.
Jimmy Nelson (Brewers): With a season-to-date 3.65 ERA, Nelson has been an effective second starter in a handful of 2015 DraftKings contests. The right-hander could compile quality frames when he squares off with a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in baseball with a .675 OPS against righties. Furthermore, Nelson may come away with a win if his teammates can extend Williams' season-long struggles.
Patrick Corbin (D-backs): With a 35-to-8 strikeout-to-walk ratio across 35 1/3 innings, Corbin has made a successful return from Tommy John surgery. The southpaw could fare well when he enters pitcher-friendly Turner Field to face a Braves lineup that ranks last in baseball in OPS against left-handers (.631) and homers (71).
John Lackey (Cardinals): The right-hander will have the opportunity turn in a stellar start when he brings his season-to-date 2.91 ERA and 1.18 WHIP into a matchup with a Marlins lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .655 OPS against righties. Once he leaves the game, Lackey could see his chances for a win supported by a Cardinals bullpen that leads baseball with a 2.26 ERA.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.