Rays' infield bats could put up numbers
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants today.
Evan Longoria (Rays): The third baseman will be in position to improve on his lifetime .926 OPS against left-handers (.803 vs. righties) when he faces southpaw Rich Hill, who will be making his first Major League start since 2009. Longoria may also thrive late in the game against a Red Sox relief corps that ranks 26th in the Majors with a 4.48 ERA.
Logan Forsythe (Rays): Hitting .287 with 16 homers and nine steals in 555 plate appearances, Forsythe has been one of this season's breakout performers. The second baseman will be set to succeed when he puts his career .833 OPS against left-handers (.634 vs. righties) to the test against Hill (lifetime 4.72 ERA, 1.39 WHIP).
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): Hitting .282 with 29 homers and 15 steals across 607 plate appearances this season, the first baseman has contributed to DraftKings squads in multiple ways this season. Rizzo could rip a round-tripper when he faces Phillies right-hander Aaron Harang (5.02 ERA, 1.41 WHIP in 2015) at homer-happy Citizens Bank Park. He may also swipe a base against catcher Carlos Ruiz, who has thwarted 10 of 54 would-be base stealers this season.
Chris Coghlan (Cubs): In his career, the outfielder has produced a .782 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .626 mark vs. lefties. From a premium lineup position, Coghlan could thrive when he faces Harang (career 4.26 ERA, 1.36 WHIP) at Philadelphia's offense-inducing venue. Also of note: Coghlan and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .666 defensive efficiency ratio.
Kris Bryant (Cubs): With 24 homers, 12 steals and a .368 on-base percentage across 560 plate appearances, the rookie third baseman already ranks among the top offensive players at his position. Bryant may drive in multiple runs when he faces Harang (4.72 FIP in 2015), or he may swipe a bag at the expense of Ruiz.
Yan Gomes (Indians): The catcher will be poised to produce when he brings his lifetime .793 OPS against left-handers (.717 vs. righties) into a matchup with rookie southpaw Matt Boyd (8.02 ERA, 1.73 WHIP). Gomes could also excel late in the game against a Tigers relief corps that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.73 ERA.
Carlos Santana (Indians): The first baseman has used a patient, powerful approach to produce a career .276/.387/.437 slash line against left-handers. Hitting out of the cleanup spot, Santana could drive in multiple runs when he faces Boyd and a suspect Tigers bullpen.
Ryan Raburn (Indians): The outfielder has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .820 OPS (.695 vs. righties). Raburn -- who has hit .314 with seven homers across 137 at-bats against southpaws this season -- could be an economical addition to DraftKings squads when he faces the struggling Boyd.
Adrian Beltre (Rangers): With a lifetime .289/.362/.484 slash line against left-handers, Beltre has proven to wield a potent bat in those matchups. The third baseman could have a terrific game when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against A's southpaw Felix Doubront (career 4.72 ERA, 1.47 WHIP).
Matt Duffy (Giants): Hitting .300, the third baseman has been a cost-effective option in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Duffy could fare well when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and puts his lifetime .785 OPS against right-handers (.683 vs. lefties) to the test against Padres righty Odrisamer Despaigne (5.65 ERA).
Robinson Cano (Mariners): Hitting .323 since July 1, the second baseman has turned his season around after a slow start. Cano could have a terrific game when he brings his impressive career .317/.364/.522 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with righty Kyle Kendrick (lifetime 4.60 ERA, 1.38 WHIP) and a Rockies bullpen that ranks last in the Majors with a 4.83 ERA.
Kyle Seager (Mariners): The third baseman will be poised to drive in multiple runs when he puts his career .795 OPS against right-handers (.711 vs. lefties) to the test against Kendrick (6.25 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in 2015). Also of note: Seager and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .671 defensive efficiency ratio.
Seth Smith (Mariners): The outfielder has produced pronounced career splits, with an .833 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .607 mark vs. lefties. Smith could be part of a Mariners stack -- along with Cano, Seager and outfielder Brad Miller -- against Kendrick (6.16 FIP in 2015).
Max Scherzer (Nationals): With a 6.08 ERA across his past seven starts, the right-hander may have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he brings his season-to-date 3.03 ERA and 0.96 WHIP into a matchup with Miami at pitcher-friendly Marlins Park. The Marlins sits last in the Majors with a .669 OPS against righties.
Jon Niese (Mets): With a season-to-date 4.36 ERA and a 1.40 WHIP, the left-hander could be a cost-effective second starter in DraftKings contests when he travels to pitcher-friendly Turner Field to face the Braves. Atlanta ranks 29th in the Majors with a .646 OPS against left-handers and last in baseball with 87 homers.
Francisco Liriano (Pirates): With a season-to-date 3.28 ERA and a 9.7 K/9 rate, the left-hander has been a notable factor in many DraftKings contests. Liriano has the skills to spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Brewers lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .685 OPS against southpaws.
Mike Leake (Giants): The right-hander will be in position to improve on his season-to-date 3.70 ERA when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 25th in baseball with a .695 OPS against righties. He could also come away with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Despaigne.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.