This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Since there is only one game Thursday, Game 4 between the Astros and Red Sox, the single-game daily fantasy rules are in play. You will pick five players — one must be an infielder, one must be an outfielder, and one will be your MVP, and his points will be worth 1.5x. It was looking like this was going to shape up as a real pitcher's duel with Justin Verlander and Chris Sale on the mound. However, Sale is still dealing with the lingering effects of his illness, so now Boston's starter is up in the air, though the rumor is that it will be David Price.
With all that in mind, here are my recommendations…
MVP
Alex Bregman, HOU vs. BOS ($9,000): When I figured Chris Sale was starting, my plan for MVP was to find an Astro who hit lefties well. However, David Price is also a lefty, so that instinct remains true. Bregman hits everybody well, but he had a .969 OPS against lefties, so I feel confident spending big bucks on him for this role.
INFIELD
Xander Bogaerts, BOS at HOU ($7,000): Hey, Justin Verlander did have a 2.84 ERA at home, as opposed to a 2.14 ERA on the road, so maybe this isn't as terrible a matchup as it looked on paper! It's still bad, though, but Bogaerts has a lot going for him. Despite being a righty, Verlander has actually been hit better by right-handed batters since 2016, and Bogaerts has hit righties better than lefties despite being a right hander himself. Additionally, the 25-year-old's power didn't just return this year, it soared to new levels (.522 save percentage).
OUTFIELD
Jackie Bradley, BOS at HOU ($6,000): Part of this is saving some cash, and Houston's cheaper outfielders aren't really viable options. Bradley at least has some upside, as he hit 13 homers and stole 17 bases in 144 games this season. Plus, his overall numbers are dragged down by his struggles against lefties. In matchups with righties he slashed .251/.332/.437.
UTILITY
George Springer, HOU vs. BOS ($8,000): Since 2016, Springer has a .915 slash line against lefties, and he hit better at home this year as well. He's also been one of the best hitters in the playoffs, which of course is a small sample size, but one of the better indicators we have of recent play, and also of a player's performance against actually good teams.
Tyler White, HOU vs. BOS ($5,000): White does not have a big sample size, even over the last three seasons. However, he has a .909 OPS since 2016. He also slashed .292/.380/.604 at home this year. I would have been fine using him against Chris Sale, so I am certainly happy to use him against David Price.
