This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
We only got one series that went five games in the first round of the MLB playoffs, but at least it was the best series on paper. The Giants and Dodgers return to San Francisco for Game 5 at 9:07 p.m. EDT. FanDuel's single-game contest rules apply: you will pick five non-pitcher players. One is your MVP and worth double the points. One is your star and worth 1.5 times the points. The other three are utility. Here's a lineup I would consider using.
MVP
Corey Seager, LAD at SF ($8,000): The Giants are expected to start Logan Webb for this game. Now, Gabe Kapler has shown a penchant for using every arm in his bullpen if he can, but on the other hand he used a ton of his relievers in Game 4. While Webb was killer at home this year (1.96 era), he has his issues with lefties. He's allowed southpaws to hit .265 against him since 2019. Seager is a lefty with a career .297/.367/.504 slash line who had a .957 OPS on the road this year.
STAR
Buster Posey, SF vs. LAD ($7,500): The Dodgers are expected to start Julio Urias, who didn't show any weaknesses in his game this year. However, Posey showed a clear strength in his game. The veteran catcher posted an 1.051 OPS versus left-handed pitchers in 2021. That helped him find the Fountain of Youth to the tune of a .304/.390/.499 slash line. You are going to want players from both teams in this matchup, and I like Posey the best of any Giant.
UTILITY
Trea Turner, LAD at SF ($9,000): Turner has the highest salary of any player I chose, but I have him down in my utility range. He's a righty, so he doesn't get that lefty boost against Webb. What Turner does have, though, is a .950 OPS after being traded to the Dodgers, not to mention 28 home runs and 32 stolen bases on the season.
Cody Bellinger, LAD at SF ($5,500): I can't explain what happened to Bellinger this season. An injury perhaps? How a guy who won the NL MVP just two years ago could flail so much is baffling. And yet, I am recommending him. He is a lefty, after all. Maybe he shows some of that old magic. I think it's worth a shot.
Darin Ruf, SF vs. LAD ($5,000): Since returning from a stint in Korea, Ruf has put up a .272/.381/519 slash line in 157 games with the Giants. In particular, he's feasted on lefties. The 35-year-old has posted a .975 OPS since his return to MLB. At this salary, one good swing against Urias could make him a bargain in your lineup.
