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.
Clayton Kershaw: Pitcher, Dodgers
Each slate is different, but sharp high-stakes tournament players unsurprisingly used Kershaw as their top option at pitcher in his last start on the main slate (per our DFS Ownership Dashboard):
That will likely be the case again tonight even though there are a few other high-salaried pitchers available. Facing the Indians, who are implied for a slate-low 3.4 runs, Kershaw leads the slate with a $12,900 DraftKings salary, which even on the road is a potential bargain. Outside of Coors Field, Kershaw has been superb over the last four seasons when comparably priced, averaging a +7.31 Plus/Minus and 80 percent Consistency Rating (per our Trends tool).
David Price: Pitcher, Red Sox
If you’re looking to pivot off Kershaw while using our Lineup Builder, Price is an option, as he’s roughly $3,000 cheaper and facing a Phillies team currently implied for just 3.7 runs (per our Vegas Dashboard). He’s a massive moneyline favorite at -241, which historically has yielded value for pitchers:
Price has a middling 5.4 K prediction, but he also has strong recent Statcast data with a batted ball distance of 203 feet, an exit velocity of 87 miles per hour, and a hard hit rate of 27 percent. Since coming off the disabled list, he has increased his pitch count from 88 to 107 over the past three games, so he’s probably pitching without limitations at this point.
Miguel Sano: Third Baseman, Twins
Team Value Rating is a FantasyLabs metric that measures which teams offer the most value based on their implied team totals and current player salaries. On today’s DraftKings slate, the Twins have the second-highest TVR (behind the Orioles):
The Twins currently have the fourth-highest implied team total of the day at 5.5 and have experienced significant line movement in their favor. Miguel Sano (projected to bat cleanup per our Lineups page) stands out as one of the top options in our Player Models. Per usual, Sano has crushed the ball recently with a batted ball distance of 245 feet, exit velocity of 94 miles per hour, and fly ball and hard hit rates of 45 percent. Batters with comparable lineup spots, implied totals, and Statcast data have a strong historical Plus/Minus of +4.37 on DraftKings.
Good luck, and be sure to read today’s MLB Breakdown!
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:
