This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
On Thursday, Atlanta could eliminate the Los Angeles Dodgers as the defending champs are on the ropes. Atlanta is starting Max Fried. Los Angeles is seemingly planning on a bullpen game, but who the bulk pitcher will be is a little intriguing. Tony Gonsolin pitched two innings in Game 4, and they did not go well. Regardless of the mystery, I have assembled a potential single-game lineup. That means an MVP worth two times the points, a Star worth 1.5 times the points, and three utility players.
MVP
Freddie Freeman, ATL at LAD ($7,500): Remember when people were worried because Freeman struck out a few times in a row? Well he's picked up five hits in his last two games. During the regular season he hit .300 for the second consecutive year with 31 home runs for good measure. You can't hone in on a pitching matchup in a bullpen game. I bet on Freeman's bat.
STAR
Eddie Rosario, ATL at LAD ($6,500): Every postseason somebody unexpected gets red hot. This year, that's Rosario. He hit two home runs in Game 4 and has hit .588 in this series. This is a continuation of how Rosario hit after joining Atlanta and getting healthy this year, when he slugged .573 and hit seven home runs in seven games. Now, a hot streak can end any time, but right now in a single-game situation I will ride this streak.
UTILITY
Corey Seager, LAD vs. ATL ($8,500): Fried is a lefty, like Seager, but not one who dominates southpaws. Since 2019, lefties have hit .234 against him, compared to .247 for righties. Seager is also not a lefty who can't hit left-handed pitchers. He actually had a .919 OPS versus lefties this year. The 27-year-old has a .306/.381/.545 slash line over the last two seasons, making him a proven elite bat.
Chris Taylor, LAD vs. ATL ($7,000): Unlike Seager, Taylor is a righty, which gives him the platoon advantage against Fried. Somewhat quietly, Taylor hit 20 home runs and stole 13 bases. He will also be happy to have one more game at home. Since 2019 he has a .908 OPS at Dodgers Stadium.
Adam Duvall, ATL at LAD ($5,500): Prior to Game 4, I recommended Duvall, saying "Hey he has a lot of power and can do damage with one swing of the bat." He then went out and hit a home run. That wasn't a surprise, given that he hit 38 this season. Duvall did it before, and at this salary I'm happy to see if he does it again.
