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The San Francisco Giants have been one of the stories of the year so far, and their form will be put to the ultimate test against a surging Los Angeles Dodgers team this weekend in L.A. The defending champs took the opener of the four-game weekend set on Thursday, and now it’s time for the Giants to respond with a win. With plenty of fun sure to ensue, let’s get right into how to construct your DraftKings lineups for Friday night’s Showdown contest.
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB Showdown $6K Extra Inning [$2K to 1st] (SF vs LAD)
Los Angeles Dodgers vs. San Francisco Giants
Captain’s Picks
Walker Buehler ($16,500 CP) - The Giants have struck out 27.9% of the time over the past two weeks, which is the third-worst mark in the league. That’s a scrumptious sentence to read when considering a pitcher in DFS, and an even tastier one when the consideration is a high-strikeout guy like Buehler. He’s offered a high floor lately and should have a decent chance of winning here with a clear edge in the pitching matchup. I don’t mind paying up here.
Max Muncy ($15,000 CP) - The left-handed power bat is a fantastic fantasy option day in and day out because of the floor he gives you. Muncy is incredible at getting on base, and at the very least should get you a couple walks here against Anthony DeSclafani ($9,400), who he’s gone 2-for-6 against in his career with a homer and four walks. He’s been red hot at the dish and there should be nothing in his way en route to a double-digit fantasy night.
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UTIL Plays
Evan Longoria ($7,400) - Longo is beginning to find it at the plate with a hit in each of his last four games — including a three-hit night and two home runs. He’ll be glad to see Buehler, who he’s touched up for five hits in 14 at-bats, and hitting in the middle of the Giants’ order should give him some real upside.
Albert Pujols ($6,000) - Look, value is very difficult to find on this slate. You want to attack DeSclafani, but it’s near impossible to save any money doing so. That leads me to play Pujols, whose OPS in a Dodgers uniform has been nearly identical to his with the Angels. He’s always been great at driving in runs — a department folks hesitate to put stock into because of its volatility, but one where Pujols has been consistent his entire career — so he offers a bit of upside there, and he’s also recorded three hits in his past five games. I’m not thrilled about it, but dollar for dollar he’s got a chance to be a great value.
Fades
Mookie Betts ($10,800) - The man has yet to produce many offensive highlights — or any at all, really — hitting .248 with just five homers this season. He’s gone hitless in three of his last five games, and is probably the least exciting bat that the Dodgers have. With that, I can’t in my right mind recommend paying nearly $11K for him in this Showdown. There are so many better options.
The Outcome
The Giants should struggle here at the dish against Buehler, and while I think DeSclafani is clearly the worse starter in this matchup, he’s got a decent chance of navigating this Dodgers order which has been perplexing over the last month. The Dodgers should have one big inning and ride that to a win over their division rivals.
Final Score: Dodgers 5, Giants 2
Set your DraftKings fantasy baseball lineups here: MLB Showdown $6K Extra Inning [$2K to 1st] (SF vs LAD)
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