Cubs bats could best Brewers
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants today.
Pedro Alvarez (Pirates): Having compiled 113 of his 130 career homers against right-handers, the third baseman will be poised to display his power when he faces Reds rookie righty Keyvius Sampson (6.46 ERA, 1.86 WHIP).
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Neil Walker (Pirates): The second baseman will be in position to provide production at a premium when he brings his lifetime .801 OPS against right-handers (.656 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the inexperienced Sampson. Walker could also excel late in the game against a Reds relief corps that ranks 21st in the Majors with a 3.99 ERA.
Gregory Polanco (Pirates): The outfielder has pronounced career splits, with a .741 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .510 mark vs. lefties. From his perch atop the lineup, Polanco could reach base often and score multiple runs against Sampson. He could also swipe a base against catcher Brayan Pena, who has thwarted 12 of 70 would-be base stealers in 2015.
David Wright (Mets): With a lifetime .341/.433/.573 slash line against left-handers, the third baseman has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. Wright could have a terrific game when he faces Nationals southpaw Gio Gonzalez, who has logged a 1.44 WHIP this season.
David Ortiz (Red Sox): With 36 homers and 105 RBIs across 523 at-bats, the veteran slugger continues to be one of the best power hitters in baseball. Ortiz could rip a round-tripper when he faces Indians righty Josh Tomlin, who owns a career 1.5 HR/9 rate.
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): With 30 homers and 17 steals across 683 plate appearances, the first baseman possesses a diverse skill set that is matched by few players at his position. Rizzo could produce in multiple ways when he brings his lifetime .847 OPS against right-handers (.760 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Brewers rookie righty Ariel Pena, who has thrown 21 innings.
Kyle Schwarber (Cubs): With 16 homers across 223 at-bats, the rookie outfielder -- who also qualifies at catcher in DraftKings contests -- has been a notable factor in many recent DraftKings contests. Schwarber could display his power when he brings his .962 OPS against right-handers (.498 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Pena (1.35 WHIP) at Milwaukee's hitter-friendly venue.
Chris Coghlan (Cubs): With 16 homers, 62 runs and 11 steals across 494 plate appearances, the outfielder -- who also qualifies at second base in DraftKings contests -- is putting the finishing touches on a productive season. Coghlan will be set to improve on his .782 OPS against right-handers (.629 vs. lefties) when he tangles with Pena.
Miguel Montero (Cubs): The catcher has posted notable lifetime splits, with a .792 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .660 mark vs. lefties. Montero could be part of a Cubs stack -- with Rizzo, Schwarber, Coghlan and shortstop Addison Russell -- against Pena. Also of note: Montero and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Brewers squad that ranks 24th in the Majors with a .682 defensive efficiency ratio.
Justin Upton (Padres): With 26 homers and 19 steals across 620 plate appearances, Upton possesses the diverse skill set that DraftKings participants covet. The outfielder has the plate skills to thrive when he brings his .886 OPS against left-handers (.805 vs. righties) into a matchup with Dodgers southpaw Alex Wood (1.37 WHIP in 2015). Upton could also swipe a base against Yasmani Grandal, who has allowed more steals than all but eight catchers this season.
Robinson Cano (Mariners): Hitting .331 with 16 homers across 317 at-bats since July 1, the second baseman is back on track after a slow start to the season. Cano could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lofty lifetime .317/.365/.523 slash line against right-handers into a matchup with A's righty Aaron Brooks (career 9.18 ERA, 1.84 WHIP).
Kyle Seager (Mariners): The third baseman will be in prime position to improve on his lifetime .795 OPS against right-handers (.710 vs. lefties) when he faces Brooks. Seager could also excel late in the game against an A's relief corps that ranks 28th in the Majors with a 4.62 ERA.
Seth Smith (Mariners): The outfielder has long fared best vs. right-handers, against whom he has posted a lifetime .832 OPS (.602 vs. lefties). Smith could be part of a Mariners stack -- with Cano, Seager, shortstop Ketel Marte and outfielder Brad Miller -- against Brooks and a suspect A's bullpen.
Miguel Sano (Twins): Having compiled 18 homers across 318 at-bats, the rookie slugger will be poised to rip a round-tripper when he faces Royals fly-ball-prone righty Chris Young, who owns a lifetime 1.2 HR/9 rate. Sano has produced a .966 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .881 mark vs. lefties.
Jaime Garcia (Cardinals): With a season-to-date 2.36 ERA and a 1.02 WHIP, the left-hander has been a cost-effective starter in many 2015 DraftKings contests. Garcia could deliver a stellar start when he works at pitcher-friendly Turner Field with a Braves lineup that ranks last in the Majors in both OPS against southpaws (.639) and homers (96).
Jake Arrieta (Cubs): Having registered a 0.80 ERA since the All-Star break, the right-hander is posting some of the best second-half statistics in history. Arrieta could combine several dominant innings with a win when he faces a Brewers club that ranks 18th in the Majors with a .718 OPS against right-handers.
Francisco Liriano (Pirates): With a 3.27 ERA and a 9.9 K/9 rate, the left-hander has been among the most effective starters in the Senior Circuit. Liriano could combine several effective innings with a win when he faces the Reds in a seemingly advantageous matchup with Sampson.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Wednesday's games.