FanDuel MLB DFS Lineup Picks (10/8/20): Daily Fantasy Baseball Advice

October 8, 2020

Jesse Borek highlights the top FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks for 10/8/20, and a couple of sleepers to consider while building daily rosters.

The Division Series has taught us fantasy managers some valuable lessons: Dodger Stadium and Petco Park are now apparently hitter’s parks, Randy Arozarena is Mike Trout-lite, and that bubble series can provide loads of intensity. The odds are that this is the final four-game slate of the 2020 baseball season, so as my mate Ziggy Alberts sings, let’s enjoy this likely final Laps Around the Sun. 

If we’re being both analytical and honest, it’s tough to see a path for any starter beyond Sixto Sanchez or Kyle Wright going deep enough into a contest -- and having a long enough leash -- to merit DFS consideration. That could lead to taking some significant GPP shots in the dark with Frankie Montas, Jordan Montgomery, and others, but the Braves/Marlins game represents the best chance at securing an arm that could pitch deep into an outing.

I'll provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 10/8/2020. Be sure to check out all the MLB player news, including late scratches, and the projected and confirmed daily MLB lineups for each DFS slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like DraftKings, and other sports.

FanDuel DFS Pitchers

Sixto Sanchez - MIA vs. ATL ($9,500)

If Sanchez’s postseason debut against the Cubs last week is any indication of what’s on the docket Thursday, he’ll be far and away the top pitcher on the slate, irrespective of matchup. Having averaged 98.6 MPH on his four-seam fastball during the regular season, Sanchez took those fireballing tendencies and used them to propel him to a scoreless five-inning outing with six K’s in the Wild Card Series clincher. If there is any trepidation, it’s that his first two appearances versus Atlanta were of Jekyll and Hyde nature, slinging six scoreless Sept. 8, before cratering to the mean with a four-run, three-IP outing Sept. 23. 

With Miami’s collective backs to the wall Thursday, there’s little reason to believe that Sanchez would have anything mirroring a short leash, a true rarity for this slate. Having hit the 90-pitch mark twice in the regular season (while throwing 89 pitches last week), Sanchez has no length concerns.

Kyle Wright - ATL vs. MIA ($9,200)

As mentioned previously, Wright is listed here primarily due to his position as being the No. 3 starter for a club that holds a commanding 2-0 series lead. But there’s reason for optimism beyond that -- Miami’s offense remains the most exploitable of the eight teams taking the field Thursday. To close out the regular season, Wright reeled off three straight quality starts, holding opposing batters to a .164 AVG and .516 OPS in that stretch.

FanDuel DFS Infielders

Luke Voit - 1B, NYY vs. TAM ($3,900)

The 2020 home run champ has yet to go deep during the postseason, but has still managed to log a crooked number in the FD points column in each of his first five playoff outings. With the Rays rolling out their stable of bullpen arms in an attempt to advance to the ALCS, whom Voit will face in each plate appearance is something like guess work. But as the ball continues to fly out of Petco Park at a prodigious rate, who better to consider than the Yankees slugger who posted an elite .595 xSLG this year?

Mike Brosseau - 2B, TAM vs. NYY ($2,500)

The two premier DFS sites feel vastly different about Brosseau; boasting a gaudy price tag on DK, Brosseau is a must-consider at his FD pricing. Of course, he’s had just one at-bat this series versus New York, so despite delivering a 1.121 OPS against southpaws this season, there’s no guarantee that he’s in the lineup. Having been a staple at the top of the order when starting, fantasy managers will want to check his status, with Jake Cronenworth and Jurickson Profar as entirely solid pivots should Brosseau not be among the starting nine.

Chad Pinder - 3B, OAK vs. HOU ($2,300)

Pinder has quickly transformed from punt play extraordinaire into anchor of the A’s lineup over the past two games, having socked homers in both. A staple in the No. 3 spot, Pinder retains an astoundingly low price tag for his recent production, which lends itself to him being a hot commodity in both cash and GPP contests for Game 4.

Carlos Correa - SS, HOU vs. OAK ($3,300)

Despite having embraced his role as proud Astros curmudgeon to the rest of baseball, Correa has backed up his proclamations with his play during the ALDS. The shortstop spot has been loaded with options on a nightly basis, as you could make the case for rostering two in most lineups. The Astros’ former All-Star was shifted up to the No. 5 spot for Game 3 and has now driven in a run in four straight games, having gone 7-for-16 this postseason. In his career versus Frankie Montas, he has reached base at a .444 clip, including a home run.

FanDuel DFS Outfielders

Mookie Betts - OF, LAD vs. SDP ($4,200)

Betts’ price tag has trickled down just far enough that getting his level of production is starting to seem like something of a bargain. All four of his playoff performances as a Dodger have seen him collect a hit thus far, as he has been an equal opportunity demolisher of opposing pitchers, righty or lefty. With Ronald Acuna Jr. having a tough matchup, and Giancarlo Stanton and Aaron Judge tasked with facing the Rays’ bullpen, Betts stands out for both his matchup (Adrian Morejon) and his potential output from atop the L.A. lineup.

Randy Arozarena - OF, TAM vs. NYY ($3,400)

No matter the price tag, Arozarena is seeing the ball as well as any hitter on the planet at the current moment. After another multi-hit contest in Game 3 on Wednesday that saw him go deep, Arozarena will get a favorable matchup to start against Montgomery, who allowed all seven of his home runs during the regular season to right-handed batters.

Michael Brantley - OF, HOU vs. OAK ($3,200)

An anchor of cash lineups, Brantley makes his way onto the picks list today as an even ground selection due to the possibility of many of the lower-priced outfielders being removed before the completion of nine innings. Consistency has been the name of Brantley’s game, having delivered at least 6.5 FD points in each of his five playoff outings. He hit .331 with a .927 OPS versus righties this season, putting him in a prime spot against Montas on Thursday.