We’ve got a two-game slate for Thursday’s MLB Championship Series action.
Let’s find some studs and value picks for your DraftKings MLB DFS lineups. This article was written before lineups were announced.
Make your DraftKings MLB DFS picks here: MLB $40K Relay Throw [$10K to 1st].
PITCHER
Gavin Williams, Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays ($9,000) — Williams was strong in the regular season, posting a 3.47 FIP and a 25.1% K-BB%. He had nine 30+ FPTS performances, including two over 40 FPTS. In two postseason starts, he finished with 25 and 38.4 FPTS, with double-digit strikeouts in both. In his lone start against Tampa Bay this season, Williams went 7.2 innings, striking out nine and allowing zero earned runs — good for 35.6 FPTS.
INFIELD
Stud
Jose Ramirez, Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays ($4,900) — Ramirez had an explosive ALDS finish: in the last three games, he went 5-for-12 with two home runs, a triple, a double, seven RBIs, a stolen base, and two walks. He’s carried that momentum into Tampa Bay, going 4-for-9 with two runs, an RBI, and a stolen base so far in the ALCS. The Guardians have ranked top 10 in wRC+, wOBA, and ISO since the beginning of September, and their best hitter has woken up.
Value
Patrick Bailey, Cleveland Guardians vs. Tampa Bay Rays ($2,300) — Bailey did not start last game, as Austin Hedges has been the primary catcher for Parker Messick. But Bailey should get the nod for this one. During the regular season, Bailey posted an average exit velocity of 90.5 mph, a 13.4-degree launch angle and 72.8 mph bat speed. He posted double-digit FPTS twice in the ALDS, including 21 FPTS in Game 4. Bailey opened the ALCS by going 2-for-4 with a home run in Game 1, good for 17 FPTS.
OUTFIELD
Stud
Kyle Tucker, Los Angeles Dodgers at Milwaukee Brewers ($4,600) — Tucker had a brutal regular season, but he’s heated up for the playoffs. He has contributed fantasy goodies in every game so far. While the production hasn’t been awe-inspiring, his at-bats have been good, and he went deep in Game 1 against Atlanta for 24 FPTS.
Value
Sal Frelick, Milwaukee Brewers at Los Angeles Dodgers ($2,400) — Frelick bats eighth in the lineup, sits against lefties, and lacks favorable metrics. He has an .088 ISO, an 85.7 mph average exit velocity, a 2.2% barrel rate, and 68.3 mph bat speed. That said, he ranks in the 85th percentile in sprint speed and in the 97th percentile for strikeout rate. Frelick has produced fantasy goodies in four straight games, including two double-digit performances.
