Welcome to the first Saturday of the 2016 Major League Baseball playoffs. We get a special treat with three games thanks to the Dodgers-Nationals rainout, giving us a bit more flexibility in our lineups. With NFL Sunday coinciding with the playoffs I expect total entries to be down, opening the opportunity for some overlay contests.
On smaller slates such as this, the difference between cash and tourney lineups is minimal. The key is to determine which teams have the best chance for victory and stacking the lineups appropriately.
In this article, I will be providing you with my daily fantasy baseball MLB lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/9/16. The DFS lineup picks will range from high-priced to low-priced options and identify options who will out-perform their expectations, including sleepers and value plays on DraftKings.
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DFS Lineup Stacks to Target for FanDuel
Toronto Blue Jays vs. Colby Lewis
The Rangers find themselves backed into a 0-2 corner, just like they had Toronto in last years ALDS. But unlike 2015, I do not see the series going any farther than three games. The Blue Jays are on fire offensively, further drilling home that small ball is dead. The Blue Jays have six home runs in two games and return to voracious Rogers Centre tonight. Yes, Colby Lewis has a 2.38 postseason ERA. He also had a 9.75 ERA in September with five home runs in 12 innings. Blue Jays complete the sweep tonight.
Also Consider: Boston Red Sox versus Josh Tomlin
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Tanner Roark (SP, WAS) - $9,000
The Nationals find themselves in a must-win situation and are bringing their best pitcher to the mound today, pundits be damned. Roark had a 2.83 ERA (6th in NL) and limited hitters to a .207 average in the second half. He limited the Dodgers to three runs in 7.1 innings in their previous matchup.
Clay Buchholz (SP, BOS) - $7,000
If you told Red Sox fans their season would lie in the hands of Clay Buchholz, they'd probably either laugh at you or begin crying. But here they find themselves down 0-2 at home in potential David Ortiz's last home game. Fear not BoSox fans, as Buchholz has a quality start in four of his past five starts including 20+ DraftKings points in his last two starts to finish the year. Look for Boston to push this series to Game 4.
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Pedro Severino (C, WAS) - $2,800
Severino may have earned himself regular playing time with his double off Clayton Kershaw in Game 1 and he now has an extra-base hit in three of his past four games. He's an excellent punt play.
David Ortiz (1B, BOS) - $5,200
Big Papi has been quiet to start his final postseason run, but don't doubt him here. He has a career .947 OPS in the postseason and he has three home runs in 14 at-bats versus Josh Tomlin.
Trea Turner (2B, WAS) - $4,700
Turner had a quiet Game 1 versus Clayton Kershaw, but we won't hold that against him. He still owns a .363 average at Nationals Park this season and a .317 average versus LHP. Here's hoping ownership is low thanks to Game 1's performance.
Elvis Andrus (SS, TEX) - $3,400
Andrus had an excellent September (.363/.433/.650) and he's carried it over to the postseason with a .429 average in the first two games. He's a solid punt play as owners gravitate to Corey Seager.
Anthony Rendon (3B, WSH) - $3,900
Rendon had a solid finish to 2016 (.866 OPS in second half) and started this postseason off with a couple hits in Game 1. He has a career .391 average in the postseason and gets another favorable L/R matchup today.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Jose Bautista (OF, TOR) - $5,100
Think Bautista likes the pressure of the postseason? He has two home runs and a 1.362 OPS in the first two games and has a .294 average with six home runs in his career in the postseason. He has a home run to his name versus Lewis and will be amped to up finish off the Rangers tonight.
Ezequiel Carrera (OF, TOR) $3,500
Carrera has been a lightning bolt for the Blue Jays offense after Devon Travis went down, hitting .364 in the first two games. He's have ample run-scoring opportunities leading off once again and will be a heavily owned cash play.
Lonnie Chisenhall (OF, CLE) $3,500
Chisenhall likely earned himself another start after homering off David Price in Game 2 and gets a much easier matchup here. Chisenhall hit .295 versus right-handers in 2016 and gets a favorable matchup with Buchholz today.
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