Bruce, hot-hitting Herrera could thrive
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Friday.
Odubel Herrera (Phillies): Since the All-Star break, Herrera has hit .333 across 189 at-bats. The outfielder will be in position to thrive when brings his balanced splits into a matchup with rookie righty Williams Perez (5.36 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) and a Braves bullpen that sits last in the Majors with a 4.78 ERA.
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Jay Bruce (Reds): With 135 homers since the outset of the 2011 season, the outfielder will bring a powerful bat into a matchup with the inexperienced Zach Davies at Milwaukee's homer-happy venue. In his career, Bruce has posted an .808 OPS against right-handers, in comparison to a .722 mark vs. lefties.
Mike Trout (Angels): The outfielder could thrive when he brings his lifetime .310/.396/.567 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with righty Mike Pelfrey (career 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 22nd in baseball with a 4.04 ERA.
Adrian Beltre (Rangers): As a big leaguer, Beltre has produced an impressive lifetime .289/.362/.486 slash line against left-handers. The third baseman will be in position to excel when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Mariners southpaw James Paxton, who has made just one start since May 29 due to injury.
Jose Altuve (Astros): With a lifetime .354/.397/.492 slash line against left-handers, Altuve has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The second baseman could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces southpaw Felix Doubront (career 4.81 ERA, 1.48 WHIP) and an A's bullpen that ranks 27th in the Majors with a 4.44 ERA.
Carlos Correa (Astros): With 18 homers and 12 steals across 359 plate appearances, the rookie shortstop is already one of the top performers at his premium position. Correa will be set to improve on his .932 OPS against left-handers (.796 vs. righties) when he hits at home against Doubront (4.99 ERA, 1.53 WHIP in 2015) and a suspect A's bullpen.
Jedd Gyorko (Padres): Since Aug. 25, the second baseman -- who hit 23 homers in 2013 -- has gone deep six times across 86 at-bats. Gyorko could rip a round-tripper when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and heads to homer-happy Coors Field to face righty Chad Bettis (career 5.54 ERA, 1.59 WHIP) and a Rockies relief corps that ranks 29th in baseball with a 4.73 ERA. Also of note: Gyorko and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Rockies squad that sits 28th in the Majors with a .673 defensive efficiency ratio.
Charlie Blackmon (Rockies): Hitting .286 with 15 homers and 38 steals across 620 plate appearances, the outfielder possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings participants covet. Blackmon has the plate skills to excel when he brings his lifetime .790 OPS against right-handers (.711 vs. lefties) into a home matchup against homer-prone righty Ian Kennedy. He could also swipe a base against Derek Norris, who has allowed more steals than all but one catcher this season.
DJ LeMahieu (Rockies): Hitting .310 with 23 steals across 569 plate appearances, the second baseman is having the best season of his career. With balanced career batting splits and a lifetime .788 OPS at his hitter-friendly home park, LeMahieu could reach base often or swipe a bag against a likely battery of Kennedy and Norris.
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 2.29 ERA since the All-Star break -- could spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the D-backs in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Rubby De La Rosa.
Max Scherzer (Nationals): With a 5.06 ERA across his past eight starts, the right-hander could have a reduced cost in DraftKings contests when he brings his season-to-date 2.91 ERA and 0.95 WHIP into a home matchup against the Marlins. Miami sits last in the Majors with a .671 OPS against righties.
Chris Sale (White Sox): With a 2.53 FIP and a 12.0 K/9 rate, the left-hander has been among the most dominant starters in baseball this season. Sale could combine several strikeouts with a win when he faces the Indians in a seemingly advantageous matchup with rookie Cody Anderson (4.19 FIP).
Zack Greinke (Dodgers): With a 1.61 ERA and a 0.85 WHIP, the right-hander has been arguably the most effective pitcher in baseball this season. Greinke has the skills to spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Pirates. Since joining the Dodgers at the outset of the 2013 season, Greinke has posted a 2.02 ERA when pitching at home (2.61 on the road).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.