Markakis, Braves could get to Crew's Lohse
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Monday.
Nick Markakis (Braves): The outfielder -- who has posted a .388 on-base percentage this season -- could reach base often when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home venue and hits at offense-inducing Miller Park against Brewers righty Kyle Lohse. Markakis has registered a career .818 OPS against right-handers (.736 vs. lefties), and Lohse has logged a 6.24 ERA during an inconsistent 2015 season.
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A.J. Pierzynski (Braves): Pierzynski has posted notable lifetime splits that include a .767 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .661 mark vs. lefties. The catcher could provide economical production at a premium position when he faces Lohse (career 1.34 WHIP) at a hitter-friendly road venue.
Scooter Gennett (Brewers): The second baseman has produced some of the most lopsided career splits in baseball, with an .822 OPS against right-handers, in comparison to a .305 mark vs. lefties. Gennett could reach base often against Braves righty Matt Wisler, who will be making his fourth Major League start and has yet to work at a hitter-friendly venue such as Miller Park.
Jean Segura (Brewers): With balanced lifetime splits, Segura could excel against the inexperienced Wisler and a Braves bullpen that sits 27th in baseball with a 4.19 ERA. The speedy shortstop could also swipe a base against Pierzynski, who has allowed more steals this season than all but three catchers.
Seth Smith (Mariners): As a big leaguer, Smith has handled right-handers to the tune of an .832 OPS (.620 vs. lefties). The outfielder could be a cost-effective choice in DraftKings contests when he faces Tigers righty Alfredo Simon, who has allowed 18 runs on 29 hits and six walks across 14 2/3 innings in his past three starts.
Kyle Seager (Mariners): Seager has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has produced a career .795 OPS (.679 vs. lefties). The third baseman could drive in multiple runs at the expense of Simon (career 4.37 FIP, 1.31 WHIP).
Robinson Cano (Mariners): Hitting .251 with five homers across 311 at-bats this season, Cano could have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests for a matchup against Simon (1.36 WHIP in 2015). The second baseman -- who has registered an impressive lifetime .316/.363/.520 slash line against right-handers -- could be part of a Mariners stack that could include Smith, Seager and shortstop Brad Miller.
Joc Pederson (Dodgers): Having hit 17 homers across 216 at-bats against right-handers this season, Pederson could rip a round-tripper when he meets up with the Phillies' Sean O'Sullivan (5.76 ERA, 1.58 WHIP in 2015). In his first full season in the Majors, the outfielder has thrived against righties to the tune of a .918 OPS (.752 vs. lefties).
Justin Turner (Dodgers): Hitting .313 with 11 homers, the third baseman has been a cost-effective choice in many DraftKings contests this season. Turner could improve on his lifetime .816 OPS against right-handers (.681 vs. lefties) at the expense of O'Sullivan (career 5.68 FIP).
Yasmani Grandal (Dodgers): With a career .817 OPS against right-handers (.705 vs. lefties), the catcher could be included in a Dodgers stack and provide production from a premium position when he faces O'Sullivan. Grandal may be part of a potent lineup, as the Dodgers lead the Majors with a .778 OPS against righties.
Buster Posey (Giants): With a lofty lifetime .327/.387/.566 slash line against left-handers, the catcher could be in position to reach base often and drive in multiple runs when he faces Mets southpaw Jon Niese (career 1.37 WHIP).
A.J. Burnett (Pirates): With a 2.05 ERA across 16 starts, the right-hander has flourished in his return to the Pirates this season. Burnett could continue to compile quality innings when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 25th in the Majors with a .668 OPS vs. righties. Once Burnett leaves the game, his quest for a win will likely be well-supported by a Pittsburgh relief corps that sits third in baseball with a 2.55 ERA.
Mark Buehrle (Blue Jays): Having allowed eight earned runs (nine total) across his past six starts, the left-hander could be positioned to excel when he faces a White Sox lineup that ranks last in the Majors by a wide margin with a .575 OPS vs. southpaws.
Chris Heston (Giants): The right-hander, in his first full season as a Major League starter, has produced a 3.78 ERA, which includes a 3.12 mark at home. Heston could continue to thrive at AT&T Park when he faces a Mets lineup that ranks 29th in baseball with a .644 OPS against right-handers. Heston tossed a no-hitter when he faced the club at Citi Field on June 9.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.