This series uses the FantasyLabs Tools to analyze three key MLB players in the day’s slate. The series does not provide play or fade recommendations. It provides analysis.
Lance McCullers: Pitcher, Astros
McCullers is one of the top pitchers in the Bales Model and per our Vegas Dashboard is a slate-best -185 moneyline favorite with the opposing Royals implied to score a slate-low 3.8 runs. McCullers has a slate-high K/9 of 11.231 and has been one of the best pitchers in baseball this season:
McCullers also has stellar recent Statcast data with a batted ball distance of 183 feet, an exit velocity of 87 miles per hour, a fly ball rate of 14 percent, and a hard hit rate of 25 percent. McCullers leads the all-day slate with a 7.5 K Prediction.
Alex Avila: First Baseman/Catcher, Tigers
With our Lineup Builder, it’s easy to incorporate stacks into DFS rosters. The Tigers have several of the top stacks on DraftKings, and Avila is a component of each with his top-five splits-adjusted ISO of .309. His Statcast data is excellent with a recent batted ball distance of 238 feet, a slate-high exit velocity of 99 mph, and a hard hit rate of 57 percent:
Detroit is currently implied to score 4.7 runs against Angels righty J.C. Ramirez, who has a poor 12-month HR/9 at 1.553 and is in subpar recent form with a batted ball distance of 222 feet, an exit velocity of 90 mph, and a hard hit rate of 40 percent. With dual eligibility, Avila can play at first base as a pivot to higher-owned batters or at catcher as a stacking partner with either Miguel Cabrera or Victor Martinez at first.
Will Myers: First Baseman, Padres
Myers is one of the top DraftKings hitters in the Bales Model, and the Padres have a solid implied run total of 4.4. Expected to bat third (per our Lineups page), Myers has been crushing the ball with a recent batted ball distance of 240 feet, a hard hit rate of 42 percent, and a fly ball rate of 50 percent. Historically, batters with comparable lineup spots, team totals, and Statcast data have produced a +1/15 DraftKings Plus/Minus with a 45.2 percent Consistency Rating (per our Trends tool).
Despite his recent form, Myers has had little ownership in recent slates. For instance, on June 6 he was almost unowned on FanDuel (per our DFS Ownership Dashboard):
Facing Patrick Corbin, who has the slate’s worst WHIP at 1.723, Myers has the potential for a big game at relatively low ownership.
News Updates
After this piece is published, FantasyLabs is likely to provide news updates on a number of players herein mentioned. Be sure to stay ahead of your competition with our industry-leading DFS-focused news blurbs:
