Longoria, Forsythe could go Canadian rakin'
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Sunday.
Evan Longoria (Rays): The third baseman has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .929 OPS (.799 vs. righties). Longoria could drive in multiple runs when he vacates his pitcher-friendly home park and bats at homer-happy Rogers Centre against southpaw Mark Buehrle, who has posted a 5.64 ERA across his past six starts.
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Logan Forsythe (Rays): Hitting .283 with 17 homers and 66 RBIs across 533 at-bats, the third baseman is putting the finishing touches on a breakout season. Forsythe could thrive when he brings his lifetime .831 OPS against left-handers (.637 vs. righties) in a matchup with Buehrle (1.31 WHIP since the outset of 2013) at Toronto's hitter-friendly venue.
Brian McCann (Yankees): Batting at his hitter-friendly home park, the catcher could rip a round-tripper when he brings his lifetime .826 OPS against right-handers (.758 vs. lefties) into a matchup with White Sox righty Erik Johnson (career 4.36 ERA, 1.55 WHIP). With 26 homers and 91 RBIs across 443 at-bats this season, McCann has been one of the most productive players at his premium position.
Yoenis Cespedes (Mets): With balanced career splits, the outfielder could excel when he faces rookie righty Keyvius Sampson (6.45 ERA, 1.79 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Great American Ball Park. Since joining the Mets on Aug. 1, Cespedes has compiled 17 homers and 44 RBIs across 213 at-bats.
Curtis Granderson (Mets): With 24 homers, 11 steals and 94 runs across 658 plate appearances, the outfielder has contributed to DraftKings squads in multiple ways this season. Granderson could reach base often and score multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .860 OPS against right-handers (.694 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Sampson at Cincinnati's offense-inducing venue. He could also swipe a base against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted 12 of 68 would-be basestealers this season.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): With 36 homers and 104 RBIs across 515 at-bats, the veteran slugger continues to be one of the most productive power hitters in baseball. Ortiz could rip a round-tripper and drive in multiple runs when he faces Orioles righty Ubaldo Jimenez (4.16 ERA, 1.37 WHIP in 2015).
Bryce Harper (Nationals): Hitting .336 with 41 homers across 494 at-bats, the outfielder has been one of the best hitters in baseball this season. Harper could be worth a major expenditure in DraftKings contests when he faces righty Aaron Harang (4.93 ERA, 1.40 WHIP in 2015). Also of note: Harper and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Phillies squad that ranks last in the Majors with a .667 defensive efficiency ratio.
Jose Altuve (Astros): With a lifetime .354/.397/.492 slash line against left-handers, Altuve has proven to be one of the best in baseball in those matchups. From his premium lineup spot, the second baseman could reach base often and score multiple runs when he faces Rangers southpaw Martin Perez (career 4.38 ERA, 1.42 WHIP).
Carlos Correa (Astros): With 19 homers and 12 steals across 395 plate appearances, the rookie shortstop is already one of the top options at his premium position. Correa will be in prime position to excel when he brings his .888 OPS against left-handers (.825 vs. righties) into a matchup with Perez (5.21 ERA, 1.54 WHIP in 2015).
Buster Posey (Giants): With a lifetime .332/.389/.569 slash line against left-handers, the catcher has proven to wield a potent bat in those matchups. Posey could drive in multiple runs when he faces southpaw Sean Nolin (6.75 ERA, 1.71 WHIP) and an A's relief corps that ranks 28th in baseball with a 4.61 ERA.
Jason Heyward (Cardinals): Hitting .288 with 12 homers and 23 steals across 586 plate appearances, the outfielder has contributed to 2015 DraftKings squads in multiple ways. Heyward could drive in multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .837 OPS against right-handers (.656 vs. lefties) to the test against Brewers rookie righty Tyler Cravy (6.21 ERA, 1.67 WHIP).
Kolten Wong (Cardinals): This season, the second baseman has posted a .783 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .542 mark vs. lefties. With 11 homers and 15 steals across 589 plate appearances in 2015, Wong has the skills to contribute in multiple ways when he faces the inexperienced Cravy.
Nolan Arenado (Rockies): In his career, the third baseman has fared best when facing left-handers (.291/.351/.496 slash line) and when batting at his hitter-friendly home park (.305/.343/.549 slash line). Arenado could produce a game-changing total in DraftKings contests when he hits at home against Dodgers southpaw Alex Wood (1.34 WHIP in 2015).
John Lackey (Cardinals): The right-hander will be set to improve on his season-to-date 2.74 ERA when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Brewers lineup that ranks 19th in the Majors with a .716 OPS against righties. Lackey could combine several quality frames with a win in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Cravy.
Shelby Miller (Braves): The right-hander could spin a gem when he travels to pitcher-friendly Marlins Park to face a Miami lineup that ranks 29th in the Majors with a .679 OPS against righties. With a season-to-date 3.00 ERA, Miller is nearing the finish line of an excellent bounceback season.
Tom Koehler (Marlins): DraftKings owners who do not select Miller may instead opt for his mound opponent. With a career 4.06 ERA and a 1.32 WHIP, Koehler could be an economical second starter when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a Braves lineup that ranks 28th in the Majors with a .682 OPS against righties and sits last in the Majors with 93 home runs.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.