Mariners stack could deliver vs. Twins
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The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Sunday.
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Evan Longoria (Rays): The third baseman has long fared best vs. left-handers, against whom he has registered a lifetime .916 OPS (.808 vs. righties). Longoria could drive in multiple runs when he faces southpaw Wade Miley (4.65 ERA, 1.42 WHIP in 2015) at Fenway Park.
Anthony Rizzo (Cubs): Hitting .287 with 19 homers and 14 steals across 446 plate appearances, Rizzo has been a factor in many 2015 DraftKings contests. The first baseman will be primed to improve on his career .842 OPS against right-handers (.761 vs. lefties) when he faces righty Kyle Lohse (6.24 ERA, 1.8 HR/9 rate in 2015) at offense-inducing Miller Park.
Addison Russell (Cubs): In his brief career, the rookie second baseman has posted a .731 OPS against right-handers, in comparison to a .473 mark vs. lefties. Russell could provide cost-effective production at a premium position when he faces Lohse (1.44 WHIP in 2015) at Milwaukee's hitter-friendly venue.
Chris Coghlan (Cubs): The outfielder owns notable lifetime splits, with a .776 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .644 mark vs. lefties. Coghlan could be an economical part of a Cubs stack against Lohse (career 4.37 ERA, 1.34 WHIP). Also of note: Coghlan and his teammates will attempt to put balls into play against a Brewers squad that ranks 26th in baseball with a .694 defensive efficiency ratio.
Seth Smith (Mariners): As a big leaguer, Smith has handled right-handers to the tune of an .834 OPS (.620 vs. lefties). The outfielder will be in position to reach base often when he tangles with Twins righty Mike Pelfrey (career 4.50 ERA, 1.48 WHIP).
Kyle Seager (Mariners): With a lifetime .793 OPS against right-handers that exceeds his .691 mark vs. lefties, the third baseman will be primed to drive in multiple runs when he matches up against Pelfrey (1.46 WHIP in 2015) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 24th in baseball with a 3.99 ERA.
Brad Miller (Mariners): Hitting .238 with eight homers across 302 at-bats this season, Miller may be an economical option at a premium position. With a career .742 OPS against right-handers (.561 vs. lefties), the shortstop could join a Mariners stack against Pelfrey (lifetime 4.23 FIP).
Ryan Howard (Phillies): The first baseman -- who owns a lifetime .944 OPS against right-handers -- has hit 15 homers across 265 at-bats against righties this season. Howard could put a ball in the outfield seats at his offense-inducing home park when he faces Braves righty Julio Teheran. When working away from his pitcher-friendly home venue this season, Teheran has allowed 15 homers across 11 starts, which has contributed to a 7.24 road ERA.
Buster Posey (Giants): With a career .328/.386/.563 slash line against left-handers, Posey has proven to be among the best in baseball during those matchups. The catcher could thrive when he bats at offense-inducing Globe Life Park in Arlington against southpaw Martin Perez (career 4.47 ERA, 1.44 WHIP).
Hunter Pence (Giants): The outfielder has excelled against left-handers to the tune of a career .852 OPS (.797 vs. righties). Pence will be in position to drive in multiple runs when he meets up with Perez, who has posted a 10.50 ERA and a 2.33 WHIP across three starts this season since returning from Tommy John surgery.
Joe Panik (Giants): The second baseman could score multiple runs when he puts his lifetime .331/.379/.417 slash line against left-handers on the line against Perez and a Rangers bullpen that sits last in baseball with a 4.67 ERA. Hitting .308 with 54 runs scored across 418 plate appearances, Panik has thrived as the Giants No. 2 hitter this season.
Jose Fernandez (Marlins): With a 2.53 ERA, a 1.03 WHIP and a 10.4 K/9 rate across five starts since returning from Tommy John surgery, Fernandez has already reestablished himself as a frontline ace. The right-hander has the skills to silence the opposition when he works at Miami's pitcher-friendly home park against a Padres lineup that ranks 26th in the Majors with a .672 OPS against righties.
James Shields (Padres): DraftKings participants who do not select Fernandez may instead opt for his mound opponent. Shields owns a 10.0 K/9 rate this season, and he could combine several strikeouts with effective innings when he faces a Marlins lineup that sits last in baseball with a .654 OPS against right-handers.
Jaime Garcia (Cardinals): The left-hander may thrive when he faces a Rockies lineup that ranks 26th in baseball with a .657 OPS against southpaws. Once he leaves the game, Garcia's quest for a win could be supported by a Cardinals relief corps that ranks second in the Majors with a 2.32 ERA.
Sonny Gray (A's): With a season-to-date 2.16 ERA and a 0.97 WHIP, Gray has emerged as one of the best pitchers in baseball. The right-hander has the skills to spin a gem at Oakland's offense-suppressing home park when he faces an Indians lineup that ranks 18th in baseball with a .705 OPS vs. righties.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Friday's games.