This series uses the FantasyLabs Tools to analyze three key MLB players in the day’s slate.
Lance McCullers: Pitcher, Astros
We have a seven-game main slate on tap for Friday, and McCullers is set to take the mound for the Astros. Per our Trends tool, he’s been much better as a favorite at home than on the road. He’s averaged 22.13 DraftKings points per game with a +6.08 Plus/Minus and a massive 78.6% Consistency Rating when at home (13.65 DraftKings PPG, -3.48 Plus/Minus, and 43.5% Consistency Rating on the road):
Not only is McCullers a home favorite, but he’s the largest favorite on the slate (-248 moneyline). He was excellent in his first start, striking out 10 batters in 5.1 innings. McCullers should have success against the Padres, as their projected lineup has a strikeout rate of 25% against right-handed pitchers over the last 12 months, and they’re implied for a slate-low 3.3 runs. The Astros righty also has a slate-best 10.61 SO/9 and 0.79 HR/9 over the last year.
George Springer: Outfielder, Astros
With our Lineup Builder, it’s easy to incorporate stacks into DFS rosters. The top stack on the DraftKings main slate in the Bales Player Model belongs to the Houston Astros. They’re currently implied for 5.3 runs, the second-highest total on the main slate:
Springer has been smashing the ball with an average recent batted-ball distance of 241 feet and exit velocity of 95 miles per hour. He’s set to square off against Padres right-hander Luis Perdomo, who got torched for five runs in his first start while allowing an absurd average batted-ball distance of 262 feet. Batters also generated a lot of hard contact, as he allowed a 50% hard-hit rate. Historically, batters with metrics comparable to Springer’s have averaged 8.89 DraftKings points with a +1.20 Plus/Minus. Springer will likely be highly owned; Pro subscribers can review ownership rates in our DFS Ownership Dashboard shortly after lineups lock.
Joey Gallo: First Baseman, Rangers
Per our Vegas Dashboard, the Rangers boast a slate-best Team Value Rating of 89 on the FanDuel main slate. They’re also implied for a respectable 4.9 runs. The game is currently projected for very high winds of 23 mph blowing out to right field, and at the time of writing there’s a 63% chance of rain (per our Lineups page):
With the high chance of rain (be sure to monitor up until lock) you may be able to get the Rangers at low ownership, and that strong wind could juice their production. Gallo has a 93% Bargain Rating on FanDuel and has crushed right-handed pitching over the last 12 months with a .370 weighted on-base average and .356 isolated power. He’s been obliterating the ball this season, as three of his seven hits have been for home runs, giving him an average recent batted-ball distance of 273 feet, exit velocity of 95 mph, and 72% fly ball rate. Historically, batters with comparable metrics have averaged 12.65 FanDuel points with a +2.73 Plus/Minus.
Good luck on today’s slate, 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: Joey Gallo
Photo credit: Andrew Villa-USA TODAY Sports
