Bucs stack could best D-backs
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Monday.
Brian McCann (Yankees): With 20 homers and 69 RBIs across 334 at-bats, the catcher has been among the most productive players at his premium position this season. McCann could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .828 OPS against right-handers (.754 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Twins righty Kyle Gibson (4.10 FIP, 1.31 WHIP in 2015).
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Alex Rodriguez (Yankees): The slugger will be poised to improve on his lofty lifetime .301/.381/.557 slash line against right-handers when he meets up with Gibson (career 4.48 ERA, 1.37 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Yankee Stadium. Rodriguez -- who has compiled 24 homers and 63 RBIs across 386 at-bats this season -- could also excel late in the game against a Twins bullpen that is tied for 22nd in baseball with a 4.12 ERA.
Pedro Alvarez (Pirates): Having accumulated 106 of his 121 career homers against right-handers, Alvarez will be in position to display his power when he faces D-backs righty Jeremy Hellickson (4.91 ERA since the outset of 2013).
Gregory Polanco (Pirates): The outfielder owns notable career splits, with a .740 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .546 mark vs. lefties. From a likely perch atop the lineup, Polanco could maximize his chances to produce against Hellickson (4.73 ERA, 1.35 WHIP in 2015).
Neil Walker (Pirates): The second baseman has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has produced an .800 OPS (.661 vs. lefties). Walker could be part of a Pirates stack -- along with Alvarez and Polanco -- against the inconsistent Hellickson.
Mike Trout (Angels): Hitting .301 with 33 homers across 419 at-bats this season, the outfielder has continually been a difference-maker in DraftKings contests. Trout will be in position to improve on his lofty lifetime .285/.391/.524 slash line against left-handers when he faces White Sox rookie southpaw Carlos Rodon (4.61 ERA, 1.60 WHIP).
Albert Pujols (Angels): In his career, Pujols has handled left-handers to the tune of a .317/.407/.603 slash line. The first baseman -- who has hit 31 homers across 435 at-bats this season -- could excel when he faces the inexperienced Rodon. Also of note: Pujols and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a White Sox squad that ranks 29th in baseball with a .670 defensive efficiency ratio.
Ryan Braun (Brewers): With a lifetime .334/.402/.628 slash line against left-handers, the outfielder has proven to wield a potent bat in those matchups. Braun could post a difference-making total in DraftKings contests when he bats at his hitter-friendly home park against Marlins southpaw Justin Nicolino, who has posted a 4.86 ERA across 16 2/3 career innings.
Brian Dozier (Twins): With 25 homers across 448 at-bats, the second baseman has been the most powerful player at his premium position this season. Dozier could rip a round-tripper when he brings his lifetime .858 OPS against left-handers (.693 vs. righties) into a matchup with southpaw CC Sabathia at homer-happy Yankee Stadium. Since the outset of the 2013 season, Sabathia has surrendered 62 homers across 62 starts.
Miguel Sano (Twins): With seven homers across 122 at-bats since reaching the Majors on July 2, the imposing third baseman has been a cost-effective option in several recent DraftKings contests. Sano will be primed to put a ball into the outfield seats or drive in multiple runs when he faces Sabathia (5.23 ERA, 1.43 WHIP in 2015).
Trevor Plouffe (Twins): The third baseman will have the opportunity to improve on his lifetime .815 OPS against left-handers (.695 vs. righties) when he faces Sabathia (4.99 ERA since the outset of 2013) at Yankee Stadium. Plouffe could be part of a Twins stack -- with Dozier, Sano and outfielder Torii Hunter -- against Sabathia.
Gerrit Cole (Pirates): With a season-to-date 14-6 record, a 2.48 ERA and a 1.12 WHIP, the right-hander has established himself as a viable No. 1 starter in DraftKings contests. Cole could combine an effective outing with a win when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park in a seemingly advantageous matchup with the D-backs and Hellickson.
Matt Garza (Brewers): DraftKings participants may be wise to look past Garza's season-to-date 4.82 ERA and note that he owns a 2.56 mark across his past five starts as well as a respectable 3.90 career mark. The right-hander could compile quality frames when he faces a Marlins lineup that ranks last in baseball with a .654 OPS against righties.
Andrew Heaney (Angels): With a 2.53 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP across nine starts since being recalled on June 24, the left-hander has been a cost-effective starter in several recent DraftKings contests. Heaney may continue to hold the opposition in check when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a White Sox lineup that sits 29th in baseball in OPS vs. lefties (.630) and runs scored (430).
Colin Rea (Padres): The right-hander -- who posted a 1.95 ERA and a 1.00 WHIP in the Minors this season -- could fare well in his second Major League start when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against the Braves. Atlanta ranks 25th in the Majors with a .687 OPS against righties and last with 72 homers.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.