Welcome to DraftKings fantasy baseball, the Official Daily Fantasy Game of Major League Baseball.
The players listed below are in position to provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Saturday.
Christian Yelich:
Hitting .323 with a .393 on-base percentage, the outfielder could reach base often or display his power when he brings his lifetime .837 OPS against right-handers (.703 vs. lefties) into a matchup with White Sox fly-ball-prone righty James Shields (5.43 ERA, 1.7 HR/9 rate in 2016).
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Jake Lamb:
In his breakout 2016 season, the third baseman has produced an impressive .991 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .665 mark vs. lefties. Lamb could have a great game when he faces Red Sox righty Clay Buchholz, who has a 6.31 ERA when working as a starter this season.
Mike Trout:
With a lifetime .312/.402/.573 slash line against right-handers, the outfielder has proven to wield a potent bat during those matchups. Trout could put a ball into the outfield seats or reach base often when he faces Indians rookie righty Mike Clevinger (6.97 ERA, 1.79 WHIP).
Ian Desmond:
In his bounceback 2016 season, the outfielder has produced a .973 OPS against left-handers in comparison to a .777 mark vs. righties. With 20 homers and 17 steals across 457 at-bats this year, Desmond will bring a diverse skill set into a matchup with Tigers southpaw Matt Boyd (career 6.13 ERA, 1.45 WHIP).
Daniel Murphy:
With a .346 batting average, 21 homers and 82 RBIs across 405 at-bats, Murphy is in the midst of a career year. The second baseman could drive in multiple runs when he brings his lifetime .347 wOBA against right-handers (.306 vs. lefties) into a matchup with Braves rookie righty Rob Whalen (5.73 ERA).
Curtis Granderson:
From his perch atop the lineup, the outfielder could produce a substantial DraftKings total when he brings his lifetime .368 wOBA against right-handers (.306 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Jarred Cosart (career 4.25 FIP, 1.41 WHIP) and a Padres relief corps that ranks 23rd in baseball with a 4.21 ERA.
Neil Walker:
With a lifetime 121 wRC+ against right-handers that exceeds his 91 mark vs. lefties, the second baseman will be poised to produce when he tangles with the right-handed Cosart and a Padres squad that ranks 22nd in the Majors with a .683 defensive efficiency ratio.
Jay Bruce:
The longtime Reds slugger could continue to make his mark in the Big Apple when he faces the righty Cosart (5.79 ERA, 1.86 WHIP in 2016) and an unreliable D-backs bullpen. In his career, Bruce has posted an .816 OPS against right-handers in comparison to a .721 mark vs. lefties.
Andrew Benintendi:
The rookie outfielder could excel in a matchup with righty Archie Bradley (career 5.08 ERA, 1.54 WHIP) and a D-backs bullpen that ranks last in baseball with a 5.09 ERA. In his career, Bradley has allowed left-handed hitters such as Benintendi to post an .838 OPS (.730 OPS allowed to righty batters).
Travis Shaw:
The third baseman will be in great position to improve on his lifetime .264/.335/.453 slash line against right-handers when he faces the right-handed Bradley (4.80 ERA, 1.51 WHIP in 2016) and an unreliable D-backs bullpen. Shaw could be part of a productive lineup, as the Red Sox lead the Majors with an .818 OPS against righties.
Eric Hosmer:
Hitting .204 with two homers across 98 at-bats since the All-Star break, the first baseman could have a reduced price tag in DraftKings contests when he brings his lifetime 118 wRC+ against right-handers (88 vs. lefties) into a matchup with righty Tyler Duffey (career 4.90 ERA, 1.42 WHIP) and a Twins bullpen that ranks 25th in baseball with a 4.34 ERA.
Addison Russell:
The second-year shortstop has produced notable lifetime splits, with a 103 wRC+ against right-handers in comparison to a 63 mark vs. lefties. Russell could provide production at a premium position when he faces Cardinals righty Luke Weaver, who will be making his big league debut.
Tyler Anderson:
The rookie southpaw could improve on his impressive 3.04 ERA when he vacates his hitter-friendly home park and faces a Phillies lineup that ranks last in the Majors with a .647 OPS against lefties.
Adam Conley:
The left-hander could spin a gem when he works at his pitcher-friendly home park against a White Sox lineup that ranks 21st in baseball with a .729 OPS against southpaws and will have to work without the designated-hitter position at a National League venue.
Jacob deGrom:
With a lifetime 2.54 ERA and a 1.06 WHIP, the right-hander has the skills to post a game-changing DraftKings total when he works at home against a Padres lineup that ranks last in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.677) and third in total strikeouts (1,036).
Zach Davies:
Having posted a 3.58 ERA and a 1.19 WHIP this season, the right-hander has become a trusted option for DraftKings participants. Davies could compile six-plus effective innings when he works at home against a Reds lineup that ranks 22nd in baseball in OPS vs. righties (.712) and 27th in OPS on the road (.683).
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Thursday's games.