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Here we go! We have four games on the slate, meaning this is the first real MLB playoff slate of the year. The playoffs are always a much different dynamic, with no poor pitchers or offenses to pick on. We have to dig in a bit deeper and project what quality pitcher we expect to struggle and vice versa.
Let's dive in!
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/4/19. The lineup picks will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. Be sure to also check out all the MLB Rosters for today's slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Justin Verlander - HOU vs. TB - $10,700
The playoff action ramps up today with four games, so we have eight solid pitchers to choose from. Justin Verlander is still in a tier of his own, as he has been all season long. The Rays are implied to score under three runs by Vegas, with the Astros a -210 favorite over the Tampa Bay Rays. They're certainly one of the worst offenses in the playoffs, striking out 25% of the time and ranking just 14th against righties. Verlander is striking out 12.11 batters per nine innings while holding both sides of the plate to a sub .250 wOBA. It doesn't get any better than Verlander and he's able to go 110+ pitches if cruising.
Jack Flaherty - STL @ ATL - $8,200
Honestly, everyone besides Mike Folynewicz is worth a look in a tournament at least. The Cardinals are favored over the Braves today and Jack Flaherty has been a big reason the Cardinals are where they are. He's sported a 3.64 xFIP backed up by a 10.59 K/9 and 2.75 ERA. He's been great against both sides of the plate and has allowed just two stolen bases all year long. His price is way too low on DraftKings and he makes for a great SP2 in cash games. In tournaments, I love James Paxton and his upside against the K-happy Twins.
DraftKings DFS Infielders
Gary Sanchez - NYY vs. MIN (Berrios) - $4,200
Gary Sanchez is the best hitting catcher in baseball and he's not priced like it. The Yankees hold an implied total over five, so this one is pretty easy. Sanchez is up to 34 home runs on the season and will look to carry a few into the playoffs. This lineup is lethal and the home run threat goes all the way to Encarnacion in the eight-hole. Berrios is certainly a good pitcher, but he's one of the two worst arms on this small slate. He has home run issues and this ballpark doesn't help. Sanchez is the top catcher in all formats.
Joc Pederson - LAD vs. WSH (Strasburg) - $4,500
There isn't much to love at first base, but this is a good spot to target the Dodgers. Bellinger is the best-case scenario, but he's expensive and we need to save a bit if we're playing Verlander. Joc Pederson has a ton of home run upside and we know that's the one weak spot of Strasburg. He's a great pitcher but struggles at time with the longball to lefties. Pederson will be swinging for the fences here and he can break the slate in two swings.
Kolten Wong - STL @ ATL (Foltynewicz) - $3,800
Mike Foltynewicz is far from a bad pitcher, but he's relatively bad compared to the rest of the arms on this slate. He's always struggled against lefties, and this season has been no different. A .234 BABIP has saved him, but a 5.79 xFIP against lefties is pretty terrible and I love the Cardinals tonight. Kolten Wong has always been a streaky hitter and he will be right in the middle of the order after the last game. He's always been a high-K bat with a ton of power, and now he gets to hit in Atlanta against a guy with HR issues. Wong is too cheap on DK, as well.
Anthony Rendon - WSH @ LAD (Kershaw) - $4,400
I don't think you have to stay away from Clayton Kershaw at all. He's one of the best pitchers on this slate, but he's not what he used to be and Anthony Rendon is one of the best hitters in baseball. He's been over a .400 wOBA against both lefties and righties. Kershaw, on the other hand, has given up a 3.98 xFIP to righties and over an HR/9 at home. I don't want to stack the Nationals in a cash game, but a one-off Anthony Rendon or Trea Turner is a good idea.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Aaron Judge - NYY vs. MIN (Berrios) - $4,700
The Yankees have three viable outfielders in Aaron Judge, Brett Gardner, and Giancarlo Stanton. I like all of them and don't have an issue with them in any format. Jose Berrios is expected to struggle by Vegas, who implies the Yankees put up 5.18 runs here. Judge has been showing off his power again of late and he looks to be fully healthy. His price isn't high enough to fae against a pitcher who struggles against righty power and is forced to go on the road in an extremely uncomfortable ballpark.
Michael Brantley - HOU vs. TB (Glasnow) - $3,900
I haven't highlighted the Astros yet, and a lot of that has to do with Tyler Glasnow being a very solid pitcher. Still, this is the Astros and this lineup can get to the best pitchers in baseball. Well, if they weren't on the same team. Brantley will be hitting third and is a solid value in cash games at this sub-$4k price tag. Brantley has posted a .487 wOBA against righties on the year and while he lacks the power that some of these guys have, he has a lot more safety. Take Bratly in your cash games and find a way to get up to Springer or Alvarez in a tournament.
Things change quickly as lineups come out. If you have any questions, hit me up on Twitter @VarneyDFS and I'd be more than happy to help.
