This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
The MLB season was SUPPOSED to end Sunday… and then four teams decided they wanted to keep playing. We have two divisional tiebreakers going on, which means another chance to play daily fantasy baseball. Obviously, your options are limited, and you have to have your lineup in by 1:00 PM ET, but nevertheless here are my recommendations.
PITCHER
Walker Buehler, LAD vs. COL ($9,800): As of this writing, there are only three pitchers available to select, because the Brewers are undecided. No matter who they go with, though, Buehler is the best option. The young Dodgers starter has a 2.12 ERA at home. On top of that, Colorado doesn't have the same offense away from Coors Field, as it ranks 19th in runs scored on the road.
CATCHER/FIRST BASE
Willson Contreras, CHC vs. MIL ($2,700):With a homer Sunday, Contreras has 10 on the season after notching 21 in 2017. He's been stellar at home, as he's slashed .289/.373/.460 at Wrigley Field. We don't know who the Brewers will be starting, but Contreras is still worth it at this price, as he doesn't have significant lefty/righty splits.
SEDCOND BASE
Jonathan Schoop, MIL at CHC ($3,000): The four priciest second basemen all have significant splits that could either hinder them Monday, or get them nailed to the bench. Travis Shaw, for example, can't hit lefties like Jose Quintana at all. Schoop hasn't hit much of anybody this year, but he does have 21 homers, and he can hit lefties, or at least hits them better than Shaw. So spend a few bucks less and hope that Schoop can come up big.
THIRD BASE
Kris Bryant, CHC vs. MIL ($3,700): Bryant wasn't up to his usual standards this season, but he still posted a .274/.374/.463 slash line. The power was a little down, but he's still an MVP winner who had at least 26 homers in each of his previous seasons. If the Brewers put a lefty on the mound at all when Bryant is up, he can also take advantage of that. Since 2016 he has a 1.038 OPS versus southpaws.
SHORTSTOP
Trevor Story, COL at LAD ($3,900): If you were worried about Story after that talk of an injury, he has a .999 OPS over his last 14 days, and he just hit his 36th homer. Overall, he averaged 12.7 fantasy points per game, highest among shortstop. Yes, he's not the same hitter away from Coors Field, though he's still good, and this matchup isn't great. However, there are only three shortstops you could plausibly justify choosing, none of them look like clear choices, and Story is the cheapest. Save a few bucks and hope for the best.
OUTFIELD
Cody Bellinger, LAD vs. COL ($3,500): Bellinger, who had 24 homers and 14 stolen bases in a "disappointing" sophomore season, hits righties rather well. In fact, he put up a .551 slugging percentage in those matchups. German Marquez has had an excellent season, but lefties like Bellinger have been his one weakness. He has a .297 BAA against southpaws.
Ryan Braun, MIL at CHC ($3,300): Braun ended the season on a power surge, as he had a .500 slugging percentage and six homers in his last 30 games. Additionally, since 2016 he has a .923 OPS against lefties. Quintana, who is left-hander, actually has a 4.56 FIP this year.
Joc Pederson, LAD vs. COL ($3,200): Hey, with a righty on the mound who struggles against lefties, the Dodgers will probably get Pederson into their lineup. Though he can't hit lefties, the 26-year-old has an .893 OPS versus right handers this year, and 24 of his 25 homers came in those matchups. Normally, you might still try and avoid a pitcher like German Marquez, but not with only four teams playing.
