This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The players featured in this piece will be building blocks that can work in several lineup configurations (cash and GPP). Friday's NLCS Game 1 between the Brewers and Dodgers brings the opportunity to play FanDuel's single game contest. In this contest, you only select hitters. There is one "MVP" position that earns 1.5x the points, one infield spot, one outfield spot and two utilities. Let's dive in and see which players could help you bring home some money.
MVP
Christian Yelich, MIL ($9,500): Yelich was a monster during the regular season and carried his success into Game 1 of the NLDS against the Rockies by going 2-for-3 with a home run. He didn't get a hit in either of the next two games, but he did walk four times, score two runs and steal a base. Facing Clayton Kershaw is no easy task, but Yelich recorded a 162 wRC+ against left-handed pitching this season.
Manny Machado, LAD ($9,000): Machado made his presence felt in the NDLS against the Braves, hitting two home runs across four games. His overall numbers have been down since joining the Dodgers, but the Dodgers will face a much easier task against Gio Gonzalez than the Brewers will against Kershaw. Machado is a great target for this multiplier position because of his power upside and his .383 wOBA against lefties this year.
INFIELD
Justin Turner, LAD ($8,500): Turner has shown a great eye at the plate for the majority of his career and only had a 12.7 percent strikeout rate during the regular season. He's also posted an OBP of at least .406 in back-to-back seasons. After recording at least one hit in all four games of the NLDS, Turner has plenty of upside when you also consider his 179 wRC+ against lefties.
Jesus Aguilar, MIL ($6,500): Aguilar only went 1-for-13 in the series against the Rockies, but his lone hit left the ballpark. Finally given a chance to play every day, Aguilar thrived with 35 home runs and 25 doubles this season. He showed he can have success against right-handed pitching, but he's a better hitter versus lefties after finishing with a .389 wOBA against them.
Hernan Perez, MIL ($4,000): The Brewers faced lefty Tyler Anderson in Game 2 of the NLDS and Perez started that game. He went 2-for-4 with an RBI in that contest and may have earned himself another start Friday. His .329 wOBA against lefties isn't exactly off the charts, but he might be worth the risk at this cheap price based on the considerable savings he provides for your budget.
OUTFIELD
Lorenzo Cain, MIL ($7,000): Cain has never been a massive strikeout hitter, but he showed an improved eye at the plate this year with a career-high 11.5 percent walk rate. That helped him steal 30 bases, marking the fourth time in his career he has finished with at least 25 steals. His .337 wOBA against right-handed pitching this year wasn't all that great, but he thrived with a .422 wOBA against lefties.
Enrique Hernandez, LAD ($6,000):Brian Dozier has been a disaster since being acquired from the Twins, resulting in Hernandez finishing the year as the Dodgers second baseman. Hernandez flashed plenty of power this season with 21 home runs and even improved his average to .256 after batting .215 or lower in back-to-back campaigns. He has a career .289 wOBA against righties, but he has a .360 wOBA against lefties.
Matt Kemp, LAD ($5,000): Kemp's power numbers cooled off over the second half of the season and although he only went deep three times in September, he still posted a .392 wOBA for the month. He has a career .384 wOBA against lefties and is 8-for-24 (.333) with two home runs against Gonzalez. If you're looking for a cheap outfielder, Kemp has some upside.
