Rays stack could rout Red Sox
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants today.
Evan Longoria (Rays): The third baseman could drive in multiple runs when he brings his impressive lifetime .924 OPS against left-handers (.800 vs. righties) into a matchup with Red Sox southpaw Wade Miley (4.34 ERA, 1.33 WHIP in 2015): Longoria could also excel late in the game against a Boston relief corps that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.32 ERA.
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Logan Forsythe (Rays): Hitting .284 with 17 homers, 68 runs and nine steals across 597 plate appearances, the second baseman is putting the finishing touches on a breakout season. Forsythe could thrive when he puts his lifetime .828 OPS against left-handers (.638 vs. righties) to the test against Miley (career 1.33 WHIP).
Brandon Guyer (Rays): The outfielder owns notable career splits, with a .792 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .668 mark vs. righties. Hitting out of the leadoff spot, Guyer could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces Miley. As a big leaguer, Miley has allowed right-handed hitters such as Guyer to post a .745 OPS (.663 OPS allowed to lefty batters).
Dee Gordon (Marlins): The second baseman will be set to improve on his lifetime .703 OPS against right-handers (.662 vs. lefties) when he tangles with Phillies rookie righty Alec Asher (9.78 ERA, 1.91 WHIP). Gordon has the speed to swipe his 54th base of the season against catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has thwarted 10 of 54 would-be base stealers in 2015.
Christian Yelich (Marlins): As a big leaguer, the outfielder has posted a .791 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .680 mark vs. lefties. Yelich could have an excellent game when he faces Asher (.714 FIP). Also of note: Yelich and his teammates will attempt to put balls into plays against a Phillies squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .666 defensive efficiency ratio.
Justin Bour (Marlins): The first baseman has produced pronounced career splits, with a .789 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .625 mark vs. lefties. Bour could drive in multiple runs or rip a round-tripper when he faces the inexperienced Asher, who posted a 1.32 WHIP in the Minors this season.
Curtis Granderson (Mets): With 23 homers, 11 steals and 91 runs across 643 plate appearances, Granderson has been a cost-effective outfielder for many 2015 DraftKings squads. From his perch atop the lineup, he could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces Reds rookie righty Josh Smith, who has registered a 7.71 ERA and a 1.98 WHIP across 18 2/3 innings.
Yoenis Cespedes (Mets): With 17 homers and 42 RBIs across 201 at-bats since joining the Mets' lineup on Aug. 1, the outfielder has been a difference-maker in many recent DraftKings contests. With balanced career splits, Cespedes could thrive against Smith (7.50 FIP) at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park.
Daniel Murphy (Mets): The second baseman has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has registered a lifetime .783 OPS (.668 vs. lefties). Murphy could be part of a Mets stack -- with Granderson, Cespedes, outfielder Michael Conforto and first baseman Lucas Duda -- against Smith.
Lorenzo Cain (Royals): Hitting .304 with 16 homers and 28 steals across 568 plate appearances this season, the outfielder possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings owners covet. From the No. 3 spot in the Royals' lineup, Cain could have a terrific game when he faces Mariners southpaw James Paxton, who will be making only his third start since May 29 due to injury.
Ben Zobrist (Royals): This season, the second baseman owns a .912 OPS against left-handers that exceeds his .792 mark vs. righties. From his premium lineup position, Zobrist could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces Paxton (1.39 WHIP in 2015).
Matt Duffy (Giants): The third baseman will be poised to improve on his lifetime .768 OPS against right-handers (.709 vs. lefties) when he faces Padres righty Ian Kennedy (4.29 ERA, 1.7 HR/9 rate in 2015). Hitting .299, Duffy has been a cost-effective option at the hot corner in many 2015 DraftKings contests.
Madison Bumgarner (Giants): Having posted an ERA between 2.77 and 3.37 in each season since 2010, the left-hander is among the safest fantasy commodities. Bumgarner -- who has posted a 2.18 ERA since the All-Star break -- could spin a gem when he works at pitcher-friendly Petco Park against a Padres lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .678 OPS against southpaws.
Michael Wacha (Cardinals): Pitching in front of the winningest team in baseball, the right-hander has posted a 16-6 record and a 3.08 ERA this season. Wacha could deliver a stellar start when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Brewers lineup that ranks 20th in the Majors with a .716 OPS against righties.
Jarred Cosart (Marlins): The right-hander will be set to improve on his career 3.49 ERA when he works at his pitcher-friendly home venue against a Phillies lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .676 OPS against righties. Cosart could combine several effective innings with a win if his supporting cast can have success against Asher.
Steven Matz (Mets): With a 1.80 ERA across his initial five Major League starts, the left-hander has already become a trusted option for DraftKings participants. Matz could have a stellar outing when he faces the Reds in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Smith.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Tuesday's games.