Christian Walker DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker is taking the day off for Monday's series opener against the visiting Toronto Blue Jays at Daikin Park. Zach Dezenzo is starting at first base and is batting ninth against Blue Jays right-hander Kevin Gausman. Although he did go deep over the weekend against the San Diego Padres, Walker could use a mental rest after going 3-for-26 in his last eight games. The 34-year-old veteran power hitter hasn't gotten off to the start he was hoping for in his first year in Houston, as he's currently slashing .156/.253/.260 with two home runs, four RBI and nine runs scored in 77 at-bats. Walker has provided consistent power numbers in recent seasons, so fantasy managers are expecting him to turn things around sooner than later. Dezenzo has never faced Gausman in his MLB career and will be a weak DFS target for Monday's action.

Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker has been off to a slow start with his new team, but was able to do some damage on Thursday. Walker helped his team get on the scoreboard with a solo shot off right-hander Joe Ryan in the second inning. His day wouldn't end there as he would also single later in the game as Walker reached base three times during this contest. The veteran slugger is still hitting under .200 through the first seven games. However, his two-hit performance did help as the Astros were able to come back and win this ballgame. Fantasy managers will just need to be a little more patient with Walker.

As expected, Houston Astros first baseman Christian Walker (oblique) is at first base and is batting cleanup in his debut with the team on Opening Day on Thursday against the visiting New York Mets and right-hander Clay Holmes at Daikin Park in Houston. The Astros shut Walker down in spring training on March 2 with left-oblique soreness, and he didn't make another appearance in Grapefruit League action. However, Walker was able to get at-bats in a minor-league setting last weekend and was deemed ready to go for Opening Day. The 33-year-old right-handed power hitter went 4-for-8 with three doubles in the four Grapefruit League contests he appeared in, and he should be a stable power bat for fantasy managers in the middle of Houston's lineup in his first year with the team in 2025 as long as he stays healthy. Walker has faced Holmes just twice in his career and has a solo homer against him.