And then there were seven. The Red Sox punched their ticket to the ALCS last night leaving three MLB games today. The White Sox are trying to avoid going the way of the Rays after yesterday's rainout. The Dodgers are Brewers are all trying to avoid the same fate. What happens today will determine just how much baseball we'll have this week.
The weather looks to be much better in Chicago today. We even have a wind blowing out to left instead of in from right. Bats, particularly right-handed ones, will get a boost here. It's going to be calm and pleasant (at least weather wise) in Atlanta and L.A.
This article will provide you with my daily fantasy baseball lineup picks for DraftKings on 10/12/2021. The lineup will range from some of the elite players to mid-priced options and value plays. You can also check out today's FanDuel MLB DFS lineup picks and read more DFS advice and lineup picks for other sports too. It’s also important to monitor injury news and today's MLB starting lineups. If you have any questions or comments, contact me on Twitter.
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DraftKings DFS Starting Pitchers
Lance McCullers Jr. - HOU at CWS ($8,200)
The rainout yesterday allowed the Astros to start McCullers against to try and put this series away. Who can blame them? McCullers was brilliant in Game 1, only allowing four hits and striking out four in 6.2 scoreless innings while recording the win. McCullers started three games against the White Sox this year and only allowed three runs on eight hits while striking out 18 in 19.2 innings. He won all three of those games.
Carlos Rodon - CWS vs. HOU ($8,100)
I like Rodon less today than I did yesterday. Matching up with McCullers has something to do with that. Still, Rodon was brilliant this season, posting a 2.42 ERA and 0.98 WHIP. His splits are remarkably consistent and so was nearly every outing from him this season. He was a special kind of tough on the Astros this year. Rodon only allowed one run in 14 innings while striking out 18 and only allowing four hits! That kind of score can break a slate in a GPP. This is one instance where I don't mind using opposing starting pitchers against each other. The other options are far less appealing.
Other Options: Tony Gonsolin ($7,500), Huascar Ynoa ($6,900)
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DraftKings DFS Infielders
Buster Posey - C, SF at LAD ($4,500)
Posey closed the season by hitting .387 over the last ten games. It carried over into the NLDS. Posey has five hits in the three games, racking up 30 DraftKings points. Posey has driven in two of the seven runs for the Giants in this series. If you're a BvP truther, we have you covered there too. Posey is one of two current Giants that have homered off of Tony Gonsolin.
Rowdy Tellez - 1B, MIL at ATL ($2,800)
In the playoffs I prefer to prioritize pitching over bats in almost every situation. If we want the two best pitchers, we have to skimp in a spot or two. 1B looks like the place to do that. There are no slam-dunks at first base today. I like Freeman, even against a lefty, at home. Beyond that, there not much to like at the position. So I'm going to chase the pure power of Rowdy in a park that loves left-handed power hitters against a pitcher that gave up five runs to the Brewers earlier this year. That's an acceptable punt to me.
Ozzie Albies - 2B, ATL vs. MIL ($5,000)
The Braves only faced Eric Lauer once this year. It did not end well for Lauer. He allowed three runs, including two homers, in just three innings against them. Albies hit one of those homers. The overall numbers for Lauer look strong and he was really good down the stretch. However, Lauer hasn't pitched in 11 days. In that game he was hammered by the Dodgers, a lineup that is also chock full of righties.
Austin Riley - 3B, ATL vs. MIL ($4,500)
The Brewers are going to be glad when they don't have to face Austin Riley for another six months. He is hitting .344 with two homers and six RBI in nine games against Milwaukee this year. That's good for a 9.2 DraftKings points-per-game average. Riley closed the season on a hot streak and it has continued. He has four hits in the first three games of this series, including a homer off of Brandon Woodruff.
Dansby Swanson - SS, ATL vs. MIL ($3,400)
This feels cheap for Swanson. After all, he knocked in ten run against the Brewers this year in just nine games. Swanson has had a quiet series so far, but Lauer gave up all but one of his homers on the season to righties. I'll chase that for this price.
DraftKings DFS Outfielders
Luis Robert - OF, CWS vs. HOU ($4,900)
Robert has had quite the series against Houston. He has recorded as many hits as outs (six) and has walked twice to split the tie. He only has one RBI to show for his trouble, but the 34 DraftKings points in three games is worth paying up for. I don't see a huge game against McCullers, but if anyone has one, it will be Robert.
Jorge Soler - OF, ATL vs. MIL ($3,900)
Soler is an all-or-nothing proposition every time he steps to the plate. That makes him a tough play in cash, but his 12 homers against left-handed pitching this year makes him a prime GPP target.
Jake Meyers - OF, HOU at CWS ($2,200)
Meyers has three hits in seven tries against White Sox pitching in this series with two RBI and a steal. He should start against Rodon. I don't expect a miracle here, but Meyers should get us a few points at just a hair above minimum price. I really like Rodon on this slate, but running Meyers against him in a GPP isn't the worst idea I've heard.