MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Playoffs – Tuesday, October 5, 2017
*Austyn Varney*
MLB Daily Fantasy Baseball Lineup Stacks – Tuesday, October 4, 2017
Put your favorite MLB daily fantasy baseball lineup stacks from the article below in our MLB Lineup Optimizer and hit calculate. You can let it fill in the rest of the spots for you or choose your personal favorites from the MLB Player Lab.
*Tuesday Night*
Boston Red Sox @ Houston Astros
Match-Up – Chris Sale Vs Justin Verlander
Park – Minute Maid Park
Vegas – 7, HOU -119
Pitchers
First things first, we have to realize that this is playoff time. It’s not all flowers and rainbows. We have to play pitchers against good offenses and bats against good pitchers. We have an example of that here with Justin Verlander and Chris Sale. Facing off against each other, you have to expect a dual for the ages. Talk about a way to start off the Divisional Round. I slightly prefer Sale, but so do the pricing algorithms, so they’re both in play. Sale has been one of the 2 best pitchers in baseball this season, sporting a .252 combined wOBA and nearly a 13 K/9. The Astros offense has ranked in the top 3 for most categories, so it’ll be quite the task. Verlander doesn’t have the same explosiveness, but you may argue he’s a lot safer. I would disagree just because it’s playoff time and everyone can go off, but I get it. He’s been a different pitcher since coming from the Tigers and you have to like the fact that he’s favored. Both of these guys deserve consideration and I couldn’t fault you for either. My cash game pitcher will absolutely come from this game. As of now, it’s looking to be Chris Sale.
Hitters
Like I said, you’re going to have to get exposure in spots you don’t really like. While the bats in the next game are surely more exciting, someone is going to produce here and you can get a huge upper-hand if you pick right. On the Astros side, we know the dominance against lefties that Altuve and Correa possess. We also know they prefer sitting at home, where they have held respective .419 and .398 wOBAs. George Springer and Evan Gattis are 2 more guys who can hit 2 homers and nobody would blink an eye. They can also strikeout 4 times and people would be far less surprised. Go ahead an take a shot on any of the other guys, but just know you’re playing the lottery. On the Red Sox side of the diamond, Betts and Benintendi are obviously the top 2 targets. There the best hitters on the team and will have to produce if the Sox want a W. I like Pedroia and Moreland next, as they should be about 5% owned and have the upside in this ballpark. Yes, even Pedroia doesn’t have a hard time hitting one out in the Crawford boxes. All in all, this is a spot where you should rather avoid hitters. The problem is you can’t on a 2-game slate. Choose wisely.
*Wednesday Night*
New York Yankees @ Minnesota Twins
Match-up – Sonny Gray Vs Trevor Bauer
Park – Progressive Field
Vegas – 8.5, CLE -141
Pitchers
Yankees fans seem to be up in arms about Sonny Gray and how he’s going to get a W against the cocky Indians, tossing out Trevor Bauer in game 1.They fail to realize that Kluber will be able to get full rest for game 2 and 5, so it’s just the logical move. Anyways, I’m not nearly as high on Sonny Gray. Gray is a good pitcher, but the Indians are one of the most lethal lineups in baseball and will hold no bars in the playoffs. I actually have a ta bit more interest in Trevor Bauer as the cheaper alternative. The Indians are the biggest favorites (-141 LOL) on the slate and the Yankees have the ability to lie down. Bauer has been excellent in his last 10 starts, though a .363 season wOBA against lefties is worrisome. Neither of these arms are on the same level as last game, but it’s a 2-game slate, so everybody is squarely in play.
Hitters
The Bats are where things get a little more exciting. We know the Indians are insane on offense and they have a lineup that just never stops. You can play Lindor, Ramirez, Santana, Encarnacion and whoever else finds their way into the top 6 in cash games. Sonny Gray is definitely a quality pitcher, but he’s allowed a 33% hard contact rate to both sides of the plate, so there’s upside. I don’t really like any 1 Indian more than another, but they’re all viable options in cash games. As for the Yankees side, Bauer has definitely struggled against lefties. With that being said, I’m not optimistic. Baier has looked like a different pitcher in the last few months and we know the Indians will go right to the bullpen with Kluber starting game 2. Sanchez and Judge are always going to be at the top of the list for an HR and tonight is no different. All in all, the Indians are probably the safest offense out of the 4 and the Yankees may have the most upside. With just 4 offenses on the slate and 4 good pitchers, I can’t give you anyone easy. This is where it gets fun!