This series uses the FantasyLabs Tools to analyze three key MLB players in the day’s slate.
David Price: Pitcher, Red Sox
On DraftKings’ early slate, Price stands out with the slate’s highest K Prediction (7.7). Moreover, the Red Sox are the largest favorite, sitting with -230 moneyline odds against a White Sox team that’s implied for just 3.6 runs. Historically, pitchers with comparable K Predictions and Vegas data have been extremely reliable (per our Trends tool):
Overall, it’s a great matchup for Price, with the projected White Sox lineup owning a high 27.5% strikeout rate and low .295 weighted on-base average (wOBA) against left-handed pitchers over the past 12 months. Aside from that, the White Sox rank 24th in weighted runs created plus (wRC+) against lefties this season (FanGraphs).
Jose Ramirez: Third Baseman, Indians
With the Lineup Builder, it’s easy to incorporate stacks into DFS lineups. The top five-man DraftKings stack on the early slate from the CSURAM88 Player Model belongs to the Indians, who are implied for a solid 5.4 runs:
The matchup against a righty (Mike Fiers) is a good one for the switch-hitting Ramirez, who boasts an elite .427 wOBA and a .331 isolated power against (ISO) over the past year against them. Ramirez is also in great form, sporting a recent batted-ball distance of 253 feet, exit velocity of 95 mph, and hard-hit rate of 45% over the past 15 days. Hitters with comparable recent batted-ball data featured in games with similar implied run totals have historically averaged a +1.37 DraftKings Plus/Minus.
Carlos Gonzalez: Outfielder, Rockies
Looking at our Vegas Dashboard, the Rockies have the highest implied run total on the main slate along with the slate’s second-best Team Value Rating on FanDuel:
On a four-game main slate, it may be crucial to have some exposure to Coors Field. Along with Coors owning a Park Factor of 100, it’ll have a Weather Rating of 99 with game-time temperatures expected to be in the 90s. Hitters in games at Coors Field with Weather Ratings in the 90th percentile have historically averaged a massive +2.80 FanDuel Plus/Minus with 51% Consistency.
Gonzalez owns an excellent 70% Bargain Rating on FanDuel, and he’s hit righties well over the past 12 months with a .379 wOBA and a .211 ISO. Further, Gonzalez boasts a recent average distance of 223 feet, exit velocity of 93 mph, and hard-hit rate of 48%. Hitters with comparable batted-ball data at Coors Field have historically averaged a +4.84 FanDuel Plus/Minus.
Good luck, and be sure to check out The Action Network if you’re looking for more baseball coverage!
After this piece is published, FantasyLabs is likely to provide news updates on a number of players. Be sure to stay ahead of your competition with our industry-leading DFS-focused news blurbs.
Pictured above: Carlos Gonzalez
Photo credit: Aaron Doster-USA TODAY Sports
