For those unfamiliar with the single-game daily fantasy baseball format, scoring is identical to its full roster cousin, except you only roster hitters, and lineups consist of five flex spots. The one twist?
One of the five roster spots is your designated "MVP," who receives 2-times his total fantasy points, along with a "STAR" slot that gets 1.5-times the points. Naturally, it's crucial that you choose your MVP and STAR carefully if you want to be at the top of the leaderboards when it's all said and done.
On that note, let's highlight some of the top options for today's FanDuel single-game slate.
Pitching Breakdown
After an exciting extra inning victory in Game One, the Phillies will attempt to take a commanding 2-0 series lead on the road against Houston's left-hander Framber Valdez.
Through 12.2 playoff innings this season, the Astros' southpaw has pitched extremely well in two starts, accounting for a 2.27 expected Fielding Independent Pitching rating (xFIP) and a 30% K-rate while his career playoff resume reinforces his recent positive performances with a 3.27 xFIP and a 24.6% strikeout percentage in 56.1 total innings.
While Philadelphia has only produced a .171 expected average and a .211 expected weighted on-base (wOBA) versus the 28-year old in 42 career plate appearances, patient fly-ball hitters from the right side of the plate (.292 wOBA, 21.7% K-rate) best counter his occasional lack of command (9.6%) and Valdez's heavy reliance on producing ground-balls (66.2%).
In a potential rebound opportunity after blowing an early 5-0 lead, the Astros will try to get on track versus Philadelphia's veteran Zack Wheeler.
Despite pitching in the playoffs for the first time this season, the 32-year old has not been phased by the high amount of pressure through four starts, recording a stellar 3.43 xFIP and a 27.5% K-rate.
When observing his high ground-ball tendencies (47.6%) and main weakness versus the opposing side of the plate (3.97 xFIP, 29.7% hard hit rate, .305 wOBA), Houston's left-handed hitters are a priority against Wheeler's profile while right-handed fly-ball batters are secondary options.
Player Breakdown
At the Top
Yordan Alvarez ($9,500): Houston's most dangerous power bat is ranked second among his team with a 13.5 FanDuel point projection. With a 30.5% fly-ball percentage, a 21.0% barrel rate, and a.462 expected wOBA, Alvarez is a viable MVP or STAR candidate against Wheeler's main weaknesses.
Bryce Harper ($9,000): Despite hitting from the left side, Philadelphia's superstar is still rated first on his team with a 13.4 fantasy expectation against Valdez. While Harper ranks fourth among the Phillies' offense in fly-ball percentage (25.9%), the 30-year old has still accounted for a team-high .288 expected average and a.380 expected wOBA.
Rhys Hoskins ($8,500): In his last 23 at-bats, the Phillies' first baseman has been making productive contact despite a low .210 expected average, recording a 47% hard hit rate and an eye-popping 16% home run percentage. The 29-year old has historically crushed left-handed pitching with a 145 weighted runs created plus rating (wRC+, 45% above average) while also producing an overall 11.1% barrel rate and a .338 expected wOBA.
In the Middle
Jose Altuve ($8,000): numberFire's top ranked hitter with a 14.5 FanDuel point projection is second on his team in expected average (.269) and expected wOBA (.354).
Alex Bregman ($7,500): With a 32.6% fly-ball rate and a .350 expected wOBA, Houston's third baseman is another mid-range candidate to consider especially when evaluating his recent playoff form including a .293 expected average and a 39% hard hit percentage in his 37 plate appearances.
Nick Castellanos ($7,500): Philadelphia's veteran outfielder is another lefty masher (131 wRC+, 31% above average) who often makes contact by lifting the ball in the air (28.5% fly-ball percentage).
Kyle Tucker ($7,000): After yesterday's monster 47.4 FanDuel point performance, Tucker has another great spot when considering his 10.2% barrel rate, .353 expected wOBA, and .262 expected average versus Wheeler's opposing left-handed splits. The 25-year old ranks second on the Astros with a 12.8 fantasy expectation.
Kyle Schwarber ($7,000): The Phillies' leadoff hitter is a dangerous threat to pop one out of the yard in any situation, leading his team in expected slugging (.535), barrel rate (20.1%), and fly-ball percentage (33.8%).
At the Bottom
J.T. Realmuto ($6,500): Ranking first among his team in value with a 1.88 rating, Philadelphia's catcher is an ideal lower salary option especially with his recent hot form including a sizzling .336 expected average and a 44% hard hit rate in his last 25 plate appearances.
Alec Bohm ($6,000): Despite producing a .179 average in his 39 plate appearances, Bohm is due for some positive regression when examining his expected batting ball metrics including a 43% hard hit percentage and a .251 expected average. The Phillies' third baseman also leads his team with a .290 expected average.
Matt Vierling ($4,500): The 26-year old outfielder has displayed an ability to hit left-handed pitching throughout his career, accounting for a .329 wOBA and a 109 wRC+ rating in this split while also recording an overall solid .279 expected average this season.