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After a historic eight-game day of postseason baseball Wednesday, we get to run it all back roughly 10 hours later with an equally epic five-game slate that features at least one club in each having its collective backs to the wall. With that in mind, if clubs deploy unconventional methods that make it seem like their season is on the line -- well, that’s because it is.
Although in many ways, this slate mirrors that of a regular season one: There’s a three-headed ace hydra atop the price tag leaderboard; there are specific left/right splits that fantasy managers can utilize; and as the postseason is wont to deliver, there are superstars all over the field, ones who can produce no matter the opposition.
I'll be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for the FanDuel main slate on 10/1/2020. Be sure to also 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.
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FanDuel DFS Pitchers
Clayton Kershaw - LAD vs. MIL ($9,800)
I’ll open this section by pointing out that both Yu Darvish and Luis Castillo were very much in consideration for this slot. But with the Cubs and Reds facing elimination Thursday and thereby potentially having a shorter leash for their starters, Kershaw’s reduced price tag outweighs the much-lauded postseason concerns that have been thrust upon him.
It has become nearly impossible to mention Kershaw’s greatness without the yeah, but of his postseason numbers attached to it. Despite being synonymous with being a historically elite regular-season pitcher and just an average postseason arm, in a one-game vacuum, Kershaw can still deliver the goods.
Traditionally, playoff offenses (much like playoff pitching) feature the cream of the Major League crop when it comes to talent -- which isn’t to say that Milwaukee lacks that in the slightest. But during the regular season, the group ranked 24th in team OPS (.702) and 26th in club BA (.223), all while finishing second overall in strikeouts (582). Aside from any imaginary playoff ghosts rummaging through Kershaw’s psyche, this matchup is tremendous for the southpaw on paper.
Sixto Sanchez - MIA @ CHC ($7,600)
On the other end of the spectrum, if there are bats that you simply cannot ignore, Sanchez is likely the best lowest-priced starting pitcher that has been available on a slate all season. His final two regular-season appearances (7 IP, 9 ER combined) were nothing to marvel over, but with a fastball that averaged 98.6 MPH during his seven starts, there’s oodles of upside at work.
Also consider that the Cubs’ offense, while stocked with former MVP candidates, has struggled mightily this season in relation to where many pegged the numbers of their key hitters. Both Kris Bryant (.644) and Javier Baez (.599) enter the postseason with OPS marks below .650, as Ian Happ and Jason Heyward are the only regulars to have hit with much frequency this season; now, with their season on the line, the potential for pressing is immense.
Having held left-handed batters to a .531 OPS with no home runs across 74 plate appearances, Sanchez has essentially neutralized Happ, Heyward, Anthony Rizzo, and Kyle Schwarber from DFS consideration out of the gate. From there, it doesn’t leave much room for optimism about the Cubs against the rookie fireballer, who while more of a contrarian/GPP play, has slatebreaking potential if all breaks in his favor.
FanDuel DFS Infielders
Jose Abreu - 1B, CWS @ OAK ($3,900)
With Oakland having remained extremely close to the vest as it pertains to who will pitch during Game 3 on Thursday, it’s highly unlikely that Abreu even sees the same pitcher for two consecutive plate appearances. That should give his roster percentage a slight reduction, due to many managers not knowing how to judge the matchup. But after a regular season in which Abreu led the Majors in RBI (60) and total bases (148), sticking with him for his first career win-or-go-home scenario is as steady of a metric to rely upon as the catcher/first base slot offers Thursday.
Jake Cronenworth - 2B, SDP vs. STL ($2,800)
After a regular season in which Cronenworth’s Statcast metrics graded him out like one of the Majors’ most consistent hitters, his postseason FD price tag has not adjusted. Having tripled and scored a run in Game 1 on Wednesday, Cronenworth faces Cardinals curveball savant Adam Wainwright in Game 2, a matchup that while stingy, doesn’t preclude him from being a consideration. Wainwright’s curveball is the stuff of legend, and despite not having allowed a home run on the pitch during 2020 even with it being utilized 38.3 percent of the time, Cronenworth has posted a .509 xSLG versus breaking pitches in his rookie campaign.
Tommy La Stella - 3B, OAK vs. CWS ($3,000)
A staple near the top of the Oakland batting order since his arrival, La Stella enters play Thursday on a six-game hitting streak dating back to the regular season. The White Sox have been similarly coy in naming an opposing starter, but with the likelihood that La Stella sees a right-hander for at least two of his plate appearances, his .303/.393/.510 slash line against righties this season should come into play.
Tim Anderson - SS, CWS @ OAK ($4,000)
After back-to-back three-hit performances in his first two playoff games, it doesn’t much matter which arm Oakland pitchers throw with in Game 3 as Anderson looks like the premier shortstop option amidst a stacked group. His domination of left-handed pitching (1.509 OPS) has so permeated the conversation between the two clubs that the A’s are likely reticent to send out a southpaw while he’s in the box. Still, atop a White Sox order that carries considerable thump, Anderson is both a stackable entity, along with being a worthy one-off option for those that can fit his bat into rosters.
FanDuel DFS Outfielders
Nick Castellanos - OF, CIN @ ATL ($3,100)
During a day of historic offensive ineptitude for Cincinnati in Game 1 on Wednesday, Castellanos provided one of the lone bright spots with three hits. His presence in the lineup against rookie Ian Anderson will be critical to the club getting on the scoreboard in some capacity Thursday. Castellanos clobbered 11 of his 14 regular-season homers versus right-handed pitching, and with an elite barrel rate (16%) and xSLG (.542) this year, he provides ample power upside for his price tag.
Joc Pederson - OF, LAD vs. MIL ($2,500)
It’s somewhat bold to give Pederson the nod here with the possibility that Los Angeles might not opt to use his power-packed bat in Game 2 on Thursday, although it would be a surprise if they didn’t. Last season, Pederson faced Milwaukee starter Brandon Woodruff three times; the results of those outcomes? Two home runs and a single. Needing to find a spot to keep price tags down, Pederson has the type of small sample size success that makes him a worthy boom-or-bust option to consider.
Shogo Akiyama - OF, CIN @ ATL ($2,200)
Following the same train of thought as it pertains to being price tag friendly, Akiyama will almost surely benefit from hitting in the leadoff spot Thursday, by far the lowest-priced leadoff option on the slate. Gleaning his season-long numbers doesn’t hold much merit, as Akiyama has appeared a completely different hitter since September, having hit .317 with a whopping .456 OBP in that stretch. There exists the possibility that he is removed later in the contest due to platoon considerations, but he can reach value fairly quickly at his price tag by a collective effort of reaching base, stealing, and scoring runs.
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