This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
The ALCS resumes Friday with the Astros one win away from the World Series. The series shifts back to Houston, so the Red Sox will face an uphill battle to stay alive. Luis Garcia will get the start for the Astros, while Nathan Eovaldi will try to step up with a big performance for the Red Sox. As you build your DraftKings Showdown lineups, the following players could be worth considering.
Captain's Pick
For those new to this format, the player that is selected for the Captain's Pick in your lineup will receive 1.5 times the fantasy points. The downside is, you also have to pay 1.5 times his salary for whomever you select for that spot.
This is a tough spot for Eovaldi ($10,600). He pitched in relief in Game 4, allowing four runs and recording just two outs. He'll now have to come back on short rest, so it's not clear exactly how long he'll be able to pitch. He also started Game 2 of the series, allowing three runs over 5.1 innings. If he's not on top of his game because of his altered routine between outings, he could be in line for a long night against Yordan Alvarez ($12,900 Captain's Pick). He has back-to-back multi-hit games, and is 8-for-19 (.421) with a home run and a double in the series, overall.
It's been a disastrous postseason for Garcia ($10,200). In the NLDS, the White Sox lit him up for five runs over 2.2 innings. Then, in Game 2 of the ALCS, he pitched one inning and gave up another five runs. If you go back a little further, he gave up six runs over five innings in his final start of the regular season, so the wheels have come off for him at the wrong time for the Astros. He's allowed a career .352 wOBA against left-handed hitters, so the dangerous Rafael Devers ($15,000 Captain's Pick) could be an ideal option for this spot.
Top Targets
Given Garcia's struggles against left-handed hitters, it might be prudent to find a way to get Kyle Schwarber ($9,600) into your lineup. After posting a career-high .288 ISO during the regular season, he's launched three home runs during the Red Sox's playoff run. That included a key grand slam that helped the Red Sox win Game 3.
The playoffs certainly don't seem to be an overwhelming time for Carlos Correa ($7,400). He has four multi-hit games during the Astros' current run, hitting 11-for-34 (.324) with a home run and three doubles. This comes on the heels of him hitting 17-for-47 (.362) with six home runs during the playoffs last year. In what could end up being mostly a bullpen game for Boston, Correa has another favorable opportunity to be productive.
Bargain Bats
If you're looking for a power hitter, you likely won't find one in Michael Brantley ($6,200). He's never had an ISO over .191, and he had just a .126 ISO this season. However, he's hit at least .300 in four straight seasons. There's been no change in his game during the playoffs with him hitting 13-for-41 (.317) during the Astros' current run.
As we continue to hunt for left-handed hitters on the Red Sox, one that has a more reasonable salary is Alex Verdugo ($7,000). He doesn't swing-and-miss much, posting just a 15.9 percent strikeout rate during the regular season. He's only struck out a total of three times in the playoffs while hitting 12-for-40 (.300) with a home run and three doubles.
