Welcome to our first weekend of playoff baseball. We saw Toronto go into panic mode falling down 2-0 as the series heads to Arlington. Kansas City fought back in a game that would've likely been their death kneel as they face Dallas Keuchel on Sunday, now tied 1-1. John Lackey displayed his dominance at home that he's had all year, while deGrom outlasted Kershaw.
Today we get a NLDS double-header which means the room for error is minimal. Let's get to the picks.
Offenses to Target for FanDuel Stacking
Los Angeles Dodgers versus Noah Syndergaard
As a iterated yesterday, I hate the concept of stacking in the playoffs. Too much risk involved, and it tends to be a select group of players doing most of the damage early on. If you want to stack, I'm choosing the Dodgers. Syndergaard had a 4.23 ERA on the road in comparison to a 2.46 ERA at home, which makes you wonder if Terry Collins knows what he's doing not using Matt Harvey here. Lefties registered a .358 wOBA versus Thor, and that's where I'll spend my money. Give me some Corey Seager, Andre Ethier, and Adrian Gonzalez.
Honorable Mention: Cubs versus Jaime Garcia (must win for Chicago to stay alive)
DFS Starting Pitchers to Consider for FanDuel
Kyle Hendricks (SP, CHC) - $7,700
My "go cheap at pitching" strategy almost paid off yesterday until John Gibbons allowed Marcus Stroman to enter in the 8th. Today we're going back to the well with Hendricks. Hendricks finished 2015 with 12 shutout innings and a 17/2 K/BB ratio. He gives solid K potential on a team that needs a win to even series.
Honorable Mention: Zack Greinke (SP, LAD) - $12,400
DFS Infielders to Consider for FanDuel
Miguel Montero (C, CHC) - $2,300
This really is a pick of attrition. Yadier Molina and Yasmani Grandal are playing with injuries while Travis D'Arnaud has a date with Greinke. The L-L matchup isn't ideal for Montero but he is 2-for-2 with a HR versus Jaime Garcia.
Adrian Gonzalez (1B, LAD) - $3,000
Don't want to pay up for Anthony Rizzo, and A-Gonz has a HR in three at-bats versus Thor.
Starlin Castro (2B, CHC) - $3,400
Castro aka #0haters hit .426 in September and is a .308 hitter versus Garcia.
Justin Turner (3B, LAD) - $3,200
Have to be encouraged by the swings Turner was putting on the ball last night. Perhaps there's a hint of revenge here? He gets the edge over David Wright at the same price due to the more favorable matchup.
Corey Seager (SS, LAD) - $3,400
See above about a Dodgers stack. Lefties have had success versus Syndergaard, and Seager is the best one on LA.
DFS Outfielders to Consider for FanDuel
Jason Heyward (OF, STL) - $3,400
He's working on a six-game hitting streak and has been more effective versus RHP. Good power/speed combo here.
Stephen Piscotty (OF, STL) - $3,100
Riding the hot hand here. Piscotty smashed a homer in Game 1 and should see himself back at 1B today considering Matt Adams was left off the NLDS roster. Piscotty is hitting .346 at Busch Stadium.
Dexter Fowler (OF, HOU) - $2,800
I'll run back my Fowler pick. Although he has struggled versus Garcia (0-for-9), he's a .326 hitter versus LHP in 2015. Something has to give here.
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