RADIO
The playoffs are here! With the Wild-card games figured out, we have our divisional match-ups set and it'll be fun to see how these end up. We have just two games to look at today, but it'll slowly grow into three or four as the days progress.
Let's get to it!
Be sure to also check out all the Vegas Odds for today's slate. You can also read more DFS advice and lineup picks for sites like FanDuel, and other sports too. If you have any questions or comments, feel free to hit me up on Twitter @DFSVarney
Starting Pitchers
Walker Buehler - LOS vs. WAS - $10,200
We have to look at pitching completely different in the playoffs. Every offense and every pitcher is good. We don't have any gas cans to pick on, and there's no Orioles or Marlins to get shut down. Walker Buehler is the top pitcher on this slate and it’s not that arguable. The Washington Nationals hold just a 2.97 implied total and go into Los Angeles to face off with the Dodgers just two days after an emotional victory over the Brewers. Buehler has been disgusting at home, posting a .247 wOBA against and striking out over 11 batters per nine innings. Vegas expects the Dodgers to win this game rather comfortably and I don’t necessarily disagree. Buehler is the cash game du jour.
Patrick Corbin - WAS @ LOS - $9,800
The game in Atlanta has a nine over/under, so we’ll be looking to target pitchers in this game with a seven. Buehler is certainly the favorite, but the Dodgers are worse against lefties and they can strikeout (23%) when they go cold. Corbin is a very hot/cold pitcher, but he's been a lot more consistent this season, going over six innings in nearly every single game. On the road in Los Angeles is not the easiest match-up, but the Dodgers still hold an implied total under the Cards and Braves. Corbin is certainly more of a tournament play, but the upside is there and he could outscore Buehler if the Nationals get hot.
Infielders
Yadier Molina - STL @ ATL (Keuchel) - $2,700
Yadier Molina seems to age at a different rate than the rest of baseball. Through tough injuries, Molina continues his legacy as one of the greatest catchers in history. He’s having a power surge at age 37, hitting 20,18, and 10 the last three seasons. That’s after four years of single-digit home run production. Dallas Keuchel is far worse against righties and has power issues. He’s better against lefties and we know Keuchel is susceptible. Molina is my favorite catcher on the board.
Paul Goldschmidt - STL @ ATL (Keuchel) - $3,900
We’ll double down with the Cardinals and Paul Goldschmidt here. It comes down to Freeman and Goldy here, and you can’t go wrong. Miles Mikolas is on the same level as Keuchel. Good against one side of the plate and bad against the other. Keuchel has given up a .351 wOBA to righties and a higher HR/9 rate than he ever has. Paul Goldschmidt is a lefty killer, posting a .426 wOBA dating back to last season. It’s a coin flip here, but I’ll go Goldy.
Ozzie Albies - ATL vs. STL (Mikolas) - $3,700
Albies will be in the heart of the order and makes for a great play against Miles Mikolas. Mikolas is not a starting-caliber ace, but it’s what the Cardinals are working with. He’s allowed a .331 wOBA to lefties on the season with 11 homers in 80 innings of work. Albies is a switch-hitter, so he’ll never be on the wrong side of a platoon. He’s a solid option in both cash games and tournaments.
Justin Turner - LAD vs. WAS (Corbin) - $3,200
If I’m going to target Patrick Corbin, it's with a righty. Justin Turner is affordable and will be hitting third. He’s always been pretty even against both lefties and righties, and this year is no different. Turner is Mr. consistent in this Dodgers lineup and they count on him in the playoffs to be that veteran bat. Corbin is worse against righties, and has given up
Outfielders
Marcell Ozuna - STL @ ATL (Keuchel) - $3,600
Ozuna has been terrible this season, but I love how the Cardinals are sticking with him in the middle of the order. Ozuna has always demolished lefties and his peripherals point to a lot of bad luck. If that luck and right ship, Ozuna will be low-owner and faces off with a lefty in Keuchel that has serious power issues. Ozuna can connect on a pitch or two and change this slate entirely.
Chris Taylor - LAD vs. WAS (Corbin) - $2,800
Chris Taylor is super affordable on both sites and he'll be hitting fifth behind Cody Bellinger and Justin Turner. Taylor is a lefty masher, posting a .366 wOBA dating back two years against lefties. He has home run upside (1 in 17 AB) and is a better hitter at home. Patrick Corbin If you're looking for a value outfielder, Chris Taylor is easily my favorite.
