This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Four games await for only the second time in the postseason, and every game features the possibility of a closeout of the ALDS and NLDS.
Pitching
Max Scherzer ($11,000) leads the way among pitcher cost and continues to not provide the results expected from his name or price. The Nationals ace has lasted more than six innings just once since the All-Star break and has given up three or more runs in five of his last six starts. The elite potential remains, and facing elimination, we have to assume we'll see his best. But that's our only basis: assumption.
Zack Greinke ($10,300) follows for the Astros, and while the Rays have scored only three runs in the first two games of this series, Greinke's form is similar to Scherzer, having allowed four or more runs three times in his last six while lasting seven frames just twice in the second half. The good news for Greinke is we have seen his top-end form recently, with his other three starts of late being worth an average of 50.3 FDP. He'll face off against Charlie Morton ($9,300), who hasn't allowed a run in his last 11 innings, but was roughed up by Houston for six runs and seven hits over four innings in late August.
Workload is a question for the Yankees' Luis Severino ($8,400) and the Braves' Dallas Keuchel ($8,100). Severino made only three starts during the regular season, spanning 12 innings. He's good for 80-90 pitches in this spot, which may get him five innings and likely takes a quality start off the table. Keuchel is working on short rest, and while he only threw 75 pitches in Game 1, his splits the third time through the order (.407 wOBA allowed, .986 OPS) suggest he's not going to be allowed to work deep.
Minnesota's Jake Odorizzi ($8,000), the Cardinals' Dakota Hudson ($7,700) and the Dodgers' Rich Hill ($7,000) round out this slate. Odorizzi enjoyed a solid September, fanning 33 over 20 innings, allowing eight runs, but the Yankees have gotten him for nine runs and 12 hits over two starts, lasting just 10 frames. Hudson will be making his postseason debut, and with nine walks over his past eight innings and a 1.41 WHIP overall, that wildness could play up if nerves creep in. Finally, Hill isn't stretched out and is expected to throw three, maybe four innings. He'd need to be perfect in order to return value in that short span.
Hitting Correlations
Yankee bats figure to be the first place most look, and I love the value and hot starts to the postseason we find in Brett Gardner ($3,000) and Didi Gregorius ($3,300). Both have homered through the first two games, collecting two hits a piece.
Somewhat successfully, we suggested targeting Scherzer in his Wild Card Game start, as he's been incredibly vulnerable to the long ball, specifically to lefties, allowing 11 home runs to them across nine starts, including six in his last three. With the Dodgers lineup loaded with lefties, any of Cody Bellinger ($4,400), Max Muncy ($3,700), Joc Pederson ($3,300), Corey Seager ($3,100) and Gavin Lux ($2,700) are in play. Muncy has homered in consecutive games.
Given Hudson's wildness and potential jitters, the top of the Braves' order looks to be in a good spot to do some damage. Freddie Freeman ($4,100), Ronald Acuna ($4,300) and Josh Donaldson ($3,400) are all willing to take walks, while Ozzie Albies ($3,300) has three hits in the last two games after a fine September. Dansby Swanson ($2,900) has barreled balls consistently during this series, appearing back in form after some September struggles while returning from injury, recording five hits (two doubles) through three games.
One-offs
Marcell Ozuna ($3,700) has two hits across all three NLDS games, three going for extra bases.
Alex Bregman ($4,200) has been on a tear since mid-September, posting double-digit fantasy points in 11 of 15 games, including both postseason starts where he's 3-for-6 with two walks and four RBI.
The Nationals hit lefties incredibly well, but going all in against Hill and his limited work is a bit challenging. Anthony Rendon ($4,300) makes sense for cash games, while some cheaper shares like Howie Kendrick ($2,700) may be a better GPP play.
