This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
Friday is jam-packed with playoff action with all four series on the docket. Both ALDS series will shift to a Game 2, while the NLDS will get underway with two games that could be pitching duels. When the Braves and Brewers face off, it will be a matchup between Charlie Morton and Corbin Burnes, both of which had excellent ERAs and strikeout rates. Fresh off their dramatic Wild Card win, the Dodgers will send Walker Buehler to the mound against Logan Webb and the Giants. Let's dig into the DraftKings slate and highlight some players to consider targeting.
Pitchers
Bringing in the veteran Morton ($7,800) proved to be a huge move for the Braves. He made 33 starts, posting a 3.34 ERA that was supported by a 3.17 FIP. He was especially locked in down the stretch, allowing three or fewer runs in 15 of his final 16 starts. That included a start against the Brewers in which he allowed two runs and recorded six strikeouts across six innings.
After one of their young starting pitchers shut down the Red Sox in Game 1, the Rays will turn to another in Shane Baz ($6,300) to start Game 2. He dominated Triple-A this season, posting a 36.0 percent strikeout rate and a 0.85 WHIP across 10 starts. Over his three starts in the majors, he had a 36.7 percent strikeout rate and a 0.68 WHIP. While he could be limited to five innings in this start because of the Rays' talented bullpen, Baz could still provide value at this cheap salary, especially considering his strikeout upside.
Top Targets
Wander Franco ($4,600) has had about as smooth of a transition to the majors as possible. After dominating Triple-A, he recorded a .174 ISO and a .348 wOBA with the Rays across 70 games. His strikeout rate was just 12.0 percent, which should not come as a surprise given that he never had a strikeout rate above 11.7 percent at any of his stops in the minors. After going 2-for-4 with two doubles in Game 1, he's a great option again in a matchup with Chris Sale ($6,700).
Sticking with the Rays, Randy Arozarena ($4,800) is also a top option. He started out this series on a high note, hitting a home run, stealing home plate and scoring three times. He seems to step up his game during the playoffs, building on a playoff run last season that saw him hit 10 home runs and record a 1.273 OPS.
Bargain Bats
The Astros earned a convincing 6-1 victory in Game 1 of their series against the White Sox, taking it to starter Lance Lynn. Michael Brantley ($3,400) played his part, going 2-for-4 with two RBI. While he doesn't provide much in the way of power, the fact that he has recorded an OBP of at least .362 in each of the last four seasons means he has the opportunity to provide value.
One of the more underappreciated hitters in a loaded Dodgers lineup might be AJ Pollock ($3,800). He just completed arguably the best season of his career, setting personal bests in wOBA (.375) and wRC+ (137). A matchup against Logan Webb ($8,200) is no walk in the park, but Pollock's salary is low enough to at least make him worth considering.
