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.
Carlos Carrasco: Pitcher, Indians
There aren’t a lot of pitchers on today’s slate who offer the comfort of Carrasco, who faces a Tigers team implied for 3.5 runs, the third-lowest mark on the slate. With their current implied total of 4.6 runs, the Indians are -171 moneyline favorites. Per our Trends tool, Carrasco has historically had a strong Plus/Minus and Consistency Rating on FanDuel when the Indians have been moneyline favorites of at least -150:
Carrasco also has favorable Statcast data, with a recent batted ball distance of 196 feet, exit velocity of 86 miles per hour, and a hard hit rate of 15 percent. Of course, he will likely garner high ownership, which Pro subscribers can review across guaranteed prize pools of all stakes via our DFS Ownership Dashboard after lineups lock.
Andrew Benintendi: Outfield, Red Sox
With a DraftKings Bargain Rating of 94 percent and .351 wOBA against right-handed pitching, Benintendi is an enticing option as the No. 2 hitter for the Red Sox, who currently are tied with a slate-high implied total of 4.9 runs (per our Vegas Dashboard):
It helps that they’re taking on human gas can Kevin Gausman, who has struggled in 2017. In his last three starts, he has allowed 24 hits, 18 earned runs, and six home runs. As expected, he has some of the worst Statcast data on the slate over that time, sporting a recent batted ball distance of 221 feet, exit velocity of 91 mph, and hard hit rate of 35 percent. The struggling right hander is also allowing base runners at a high rate with a 1.424 WHIP while surrendering 1.52 home runs per nine innings over the past 12 months.
Josh Harrison: Second Base, Pirates
With the Lineup Builder, it’s easy to incorporate stacks into DFS rosters. One of the highest-rated five-man DraftKings stacks in the Bales Model is the 1-2-3-4-6 stack of the Pirates. Per our Lineups page, Harrison is projected to lead off against Rookie Davis, who gave up seven earned runs and 11 hits in 2.2 innings in his last outing:
Harrison is one of the highest-rated batters in the Bales Model. Not only does he have exceptional Statcast data with a recent batted ball distance of 233 feet, exit velocity of 93 mph, and hard hit rate of 36 percent, but his opposing pitcher also has horrible recent data. This will be Davis’ second start since coming off the disabled list. In his first start back, he allowed a batted ball distance of 233 feet, exit velocity of 92 mph, and a hard hit rate of 35 percent. The Pirates currently have the slate’s fourth-highest implied run total of 4.5 runs, and Harrison could get a slight venue boost as Great American Ball Park has a Park Factor of 67.
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:
