Lane Thomas DVOA, Advanced Stats, & Fantasy Rankings

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas went 1-for-4 with a three-run shot in Game 1 of the ALDS. Thomas broke the game open early by hitting a three-run blast in the first inning to score third baseman Jose Ramirez and first baseman Josh Naylor to cap off an impressive five-run inning. The 29-year-old was able to carry his power surge into the postseason after tallying seven round-trippers with a .560 SLG during the final month of the regular season. Thomas should continue to bat in the five-hole of a deep Guardians lineup, which should present him with several RBI opportunities. However, Thomas is best to fade in DFS on Monday as he will face Detroit ace Tarik Skubal, who is coming off a six-inning shutout in the AL Wild Card Series.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas had a big day at the plate on Wednesday as his team beat the Chicago White Sox 6-4. Batting fifth, Thomas went 3-for-4 (three singles) with four RBI and one run scored. Thomas has had a mediocre season (.246 AVG, .718 OPS) but has been super hot as of late. In his last 15 games, he is slashing .370/.408/.652 with three homers and 14 RBI. This is great news for the Guardians, as they are looking to keep their lineup potent, heading into what promises to be a tight postseason race and postseason. Thomas is rostered in 64% of Yahoo Fantasy leagues and is worth adding in most leagues while he's swinging a hot bat.

Cleveland Guardians outfielder Lane Thomas and shortstop Brayan Rocchio are both starting on the bench for Wednesday's series finale against the division-rival Kansas City Royals at Progressive Field. Rookie Jhonkensy Noel will start in right field and bat seventh, while Daniel Schneemann will play shortstop and hit eighth for the Guards against Royals veteran right-hander Michael Wacha. Thomas hasn't really impressed Cleveland since they acquired him from the Washington Nationals at the trade deadline in late July, as he's gone 11-for-76 (.145) with four doubles, three RBI and 34 strikeouts in 25 games so far. Since Aug. 21, he's gone 4-for-21 (.191) with a double, two RBI and 10 strikeouts in eight games played. Six of Noel's 12 home runs in his rookie season have come in the month of August, while he's hitting .255 (14-for-55) overall in the month in 19 games played.