DraftKings picks: Longoria, Harper, Hosmer
Welcome to DraftKings fantasy baseball, the Official Daily Fantasy Game of Major League Baseball.
The players listed below could provide difference-making stats for DraftKings participants on Monday.
Chris Davis (Orioles): The first baseman could rip a homer when he brings his career .850 OPS against right-handers (.733 vs. lefties) into a matchup with the Blue Jays' fly ball-prone righty Marco Estrada (lifetime 1.4 HR/9 rate) at homer-happy Camden Yards.
Adam Jones (Orioles): Jones has compiled relatively balanced on-base splits during his big league tenure, but he has slugged 135 of his 174 career homers against right-handers. Hitting at his cozy home venue, the outfielder could put one of Estrada's offerings into the outfield seats.
:: Fred Zinkie's Daily Picks ::
Evan Longoria (Rays): Longoria has long fared best against southpaws, notching a lifetime .927 OPS in those matchups (.817 vs. righties). The third baseman could hit a homer on Monday against Yankees lefty CC Sabathia, who has served up 44 home runs across 46 starts, dating back to 2013.
Rene Rivera (Rays): Rivera could have success against Sabathia on Monday, as the catcher has posted a .250/.308/.444 slash line against lefties since the outset of the 2013 season. The Yankees southpaw has recorded a 4.94 ERA since 2013, so Rivera could find himself with multiple chances to drive in or score runs.
Conor Gillaspie (White Sox): The third baseman has produced pronounced splits, with a career .761 OPS against right-handers that notably exceeds his .512 mark vs. lefties. Gillaspie could reach base multiple times on Monday, when he faces Brewers righty Wily Peralta (lifetime 1.35 WHIP) at hitter-friendly Miller Park.
Melky Cabrera (White Sox): Cabrera has compiled balanced career splits, but the outfielder could reach base often and score multiple runs at an offense-inducing venue on Monday vs. the Brewers. The switch-hitter will likely bat from the left side against Peralta, who during his big league tenure has allowed left-handed hitters to register a collective .794 OPS (.653 vs. righty batters).
Micah Johnson (White Sox): The second baseman is another left-handed hitter who could have success against Peralta. If Johnson can take advantage of this matchup by reaching base often, he could then use his impressive wheels to score a run or swipe a bag.
Eric Hosmer (Royals): Hosmer could excel when he escapes his pitcher-friendly home park for the cozier confines of Globe Life Park in Arlington, to face Rangers righty Colby Lewis (career 4.75 ERA, 1.38 WHIP). The first baseman has accumulated a lifetime .796 OPS against right-handers, in comparison to a .677 mark vs. lefties.
Mike Moustakas (Royals): The third baseman could improve on his lifetime .701 OPS against right-handers (.619 vs. lefties) when he faces Lewis at a hitter-friendly park. The righty hurler has permitted left-handed hitters such as Moustakas to post a career .826 OPS (.726 vs. righty hitters).
Alex Gordon (Royals): Gordon could be part of a Royals attack, as he is another left-handed hitter who could have success against Lewis. The outfielder has compiled a career .799 OPS against right-handed pitchers (.745 vs. lefties), and he could thrive during an appearance at Texas' hitter-friendly venue.
Joc Pederson (Dodgers): The outfielder has accumulated nine homers, 19 RBIs and 21 runs through his first 29 games in 2015, and he is wearing out right-handers this season to the tune of a 1.124 OPS (.533 vs. lefties). Pederson could reach base often and score multiple runs against Marlins righty Tom Koehler (career 4.21 ERA, 1.32 WHIP).
Jimmy Rollins (Dodgers): Rollins is hitting .167, but he is still accumulating respectable counting stats, and he could have a reasonable DraftKings price tag on a day when enticing shortstop options are scant. The veteran has compiled balanced career splits, and he could be part of a productive lineup vs. Koehler, as the Dodgers' offense ranks first in the Majors with an .852 OPS against right-handers.
Bryce Harper (Nationals): Harper could find success outside of his pitcher-friendly home park when he visits offense-inducing Chase Field on Monday. The outfielder has produced a lifetime .889 OPS against right-handers (.719 vs. lefties), and D-backs righty Josh Collmenter has allowed opposing left-handed hitters such as Harper to generate a career .735 OPS (.630 vs. righty batters).
Gerrit Cole (Pirates): With a 2.27 ERA, a 1.12 WHIP and 39 strikeouts across six starts, Cole continues to ascend toward ace status. The right-hander is arguably the safest starter suggestion for DraftKings participants on Monday, as he will face a Phillies lineup that ranks last in baseball in runs per game (2.81) and OPS (.611).
Jeff Samardzija (White Sox): Although the right-hander has had an inconsistent start to 2015 after posting a 2.99 ERA and a 1.07 WHIP last season, he has allowed two or fewer runs during three of his past four starts. DraftKings participants could hope for another stingy outing when the right-hander returns to a National League park to take on the Brewers on a day with few sure things on the mound. Milwaukee ranks 26th in baseball in both OPS (.655) and runs scored per game (3.74) this season.
Mike Leake (Reds): Leake could provide DraftKings participants with a stable second starter, as he has thrown at least seven innings in five of six 2015 starts. The right-hander sometimes struggles with the long ball, but he could benefit from facing a Braves lineup with a dearth of power hitters.
Danny Duffy (Royals): The left-hander could be a useful second starter when he faces the Rangers on a night with few pitching options. Duffy could receive ample run support with Lewis (career 4.75 ERA) on the mound for the opposition, as the Royals' lineup ranks fifth in the Majors with a .777 OPS against right-handers. He could also benefit from pitching in front of the defense that has the second-best defensive efficiency ratio (.735) in baseball.
All statistics are accurate through the completion of Saturday's games.