This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We have a two-game slate featured on DraftKings for Saturday. It will be the final two-game slate of the season as the Astros and Rays set to face off in Game 7, with the winner earning a trip to the World Series to take on either the Braves or Dodgers. Pitching is always a tricky proposition in the playoffs, but we get four solid options today - although there may be shorter leashes on the two from the Astros-Rays game with it being a series decider.
Pitching
Walker Buehler, LAD vs. ATL ($8,000): On a two-game slate, we are looking for any leverage we can get. I believe most will opt for Lance McCullers over Buehler due to his recent success. But as I said, the Dodgers may let their starter go a little longer depending on the effectiveness of Buehler and if they can back him up offensively. He looked decent in his last start by throwing 100 pitches over five frames. Buehler's walks tend to be an issue, but he'll face an abundance of righties in the Braves' lineup - a side of the plate he held to a .180 batting average on the season - while sporting a 0.95 WHIP with a 12.7 precent swinging-strike rate.
Max Fried, ATL vs. LAD ($7,800): Staying in the same game, Fried bounced back after a rough start against the Marlins in the NLDS to mow down the Dodgers. Despite not securing the win in Game 1, he still struck out nine while giving up only one run and has shown he can navigate his way through the deepest of lineups. The Braves will look to close out the Dodgers here and should lean heavily on the righty with his ability to limit damage and strikeout upside, making him the safest of the four options on the slate.
Elite Plays
Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. LAD ($5,200): Relying on BvP data in the playoffs can be helpful in identifying strong matchups and there doesn't seem like a better one than Freeman facing Buehler. He took the righty deep in Game 1 and has been hot at the plate the entire series racking up double-digit fantasy points in four of five outings. Freeman will be one of the few hitters in the Braves' lineup with a platoon advantage and can accumulate fantasy points in a number of ways. His 42.4 percent hard hit rate ranked as one of the highest in the league and that should be on full display as he tries to help the Braves reach the World Series for the first time since 1995.
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. TBR ($5,000): Coming off a down regular season by his standards, Altuve has come alive in the playoffs. Going back to the ALDS, he's enjoyed a torrid stretch that's seen him swat six straight home runs - including one off Charlie Morton, who he faces today. In a win-or-go-home situation, we should expect the former AL MVP to do whatever he can to help.
Key Values
Michael Brantley, HOU vs. TBR ($3,800): Brantley earns the platoon advantage facing Charlie Morton. He's experienced moderate success against Morton by going 3-for-15 with two extra base hits and four RBI. We shouldn't be starved for value on a two-game slate, but Brantley is an excellent hitter and makes for one of the safest plays under $4,000.
Martin Maldonado, HOU vs. TBR ($3,700): Two things I like here is that Maldonado fills a catcher spot and also carries a strong BvP record against Morton with seven hits and four walks in 13 at-bats. You can add Maldonado in a wraparound stack with George Springer and Altuve or as a one-off if you're strictly home run hunting.
Stacks to Consider
Astros vs. Charlie Morton: George Springer ($4,500), Alex Bregman ($4,600), Carlos Correa ($4,600)
I've featured a few Astros in this writeup. You can round out the full stack with the trio listed without breaking the bank and capture all the power they have to offer while filling multiple infield positions. Altuve and Correa have been the clear standouts in this series by combining for seven home runs and nine RBI over the six games. This team has experience being former champions and I think that will prevail today with a place in the World Series on the line.
