This series uses the FantasyLabs Tools to analyze three key MLB players in the day’s slate.
Max Scherzer: Pitcher, Nationals
Any time Scherzer takes the mound, it’s difficult to look past the floor and ceiling he offers. Since 2012, when Scherzer is a home favorite he’s averaged 43.49 FanDuel points with a +6.53 Plus/Minus and a 64.4% Consistency Rating (per our Trends tool):
Not only does Scherzer dominate at home, but he’s squaring off against a projected Rockies lineup that has a strikeout rate of 29.9% against right-handed pitchers over the past 12 months. The Rockies are also implied for a paltry 3.2 runs: Scherzer is the clear-cut option if you’re playing the early slate on Saturday, and he will be high-owned on the six-game slate.
Side note: If you’re playing the main slate, consider James Tallion against a projected Marlins lineup that has a strikeout rate of 35% and weighted on-base average (wOBA) of just .272 over the past 12 months. Tallion also has excellent Statcast data in his past two starts with a recent average distance of 199 feet, exit velocity of 88 mph, and an excellent 16% hard-hit rate.
Kyle Seager: Third Baseman, Mariners
We’ve got a potential low-scoring night of baseball on Saturday as the Angels have the slate’s highest implied total at just 4.7 runs followed by the Mariners at 4.4 (per our Vegas Dashboard):
Seager will be facing Athletics right-hander Kendall Graveman, who has been getting shelled this season with a 9.45 earned run average (ERA) through his first three starts along with an abysmal 1.53 WHIP and 5.42 strikeout rate over the past 12 months. Seager is on the positive side of his wOBA and isolated power (ISO) Differentials, sporting a .334 wOBA and .220 ISO against righties over the past 12 months. He’s off to a decent start to the season with a +1.79 Plus/Minus and 50% Consistency on FanDuel. Seager is currently projected for 9-12% ownership, but that figure could drop, as the game is currently anticipated for light rain showers. Be sure to monitor the weather throughout the day.
Chris Taylor: Outfielder, Dodgers
If you’re in need of salary relief and a low-owned tournament play, Taylor has a 93% Bargain Rating on FanDuel, and he stands out in our Recent Batted Ball Model. Taylor has excellent Statcast data with a recent average batted-ball distance of 225 feet and exit velocity of 90 mph, and his Recent Batted Ball Luck of +60 suggests that he has been incredibly unlucky over his past 10 games. Historically, batters with comparable metrics have done quite well at minimal ownership:
Taylor will face Taijuan Walker, who has some atrocious Statcast data in his past two starts, as he’s allowed a recent average distance of 230 feet with an exit velocity of 92 mph. Taylor is serviceable against righties with a .343 wOBA and .187 ISO over the past 12 months, and he’ll benefit from batting in the No. 1 spot. (He just hit a home run against Zach Greinke as I finished up this paragraph. Neat.)
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: Max Scherzer
Photo Credit: Brad Mills-USA TODAY Sports
