Dave Gloeckner 
We have a two-game slate today and one that is pivotal to determining who will earn a spot in the NLCS. But even better for us baseball fans, we have an opportunity to play MLB DFS. Since it’s a small slate, I’ll rank my pitchers and stacks in order and give you some batters I’m focusing my lineups around.
There are many tools available, but I hope you’re using the Win Daily Projections Model as that has been very helpful in rostering key players each night.
For DFS, the featured card today begins at 6:07p.m. with 2 games on the slate. All DFS plays below will come from those 2 games and any later games will be captured in Discord.
PITCHERS – DRAFTKINGS
CLASSIC SLATE – 6:07 PM Start
As mentioned we have two games to choose from, both Game 2’s in the NLDS, as the Phillies take on the Braves and the Diamondbacks visit the Dodgers. Below is how I rank the starting pitchers for today, as I focused on recent performances (both pitching and opponent batting), series momentum, salary, and postseason experience.
Starting Pitcher Rankings for 10/9/23:
- Zack Wheeler ($8800 DK)
- Bobby Miller ($6900 DK)
- Max Fried ($8000 DK)
- Zac Gallen ($8600 DK)
ZACK WHEELER ($8800 DK)
The Phillies won Game 1 when they were a +180 underdog. That was mainly due to how the pitching was stacked. Fortunately for the Phillies, that win has now put them in great position as they get to throw their ace today in Wheeler.
And the reason I have Wheeler as my primary option today is because of his last performance against Miami and his success in high leverage situations. The extra days of rest coming into this season has bode well for Philly’s ace as he topped 98 mph consistently in his Wild Card series start against Miami where he dominated the Marlins.
And more importantly, he owns a 2.55 ERA in 7 career postseason starts. This is a guy you want on the mound and who wants the ball. Under $9000 is a great spot for an ace like Wheels.
BOBBY MILLER ($6900 DK)
Despite what happened in Game 1 of the NLDS, Arizona has the worst batting stats of the remaining NL teams. And Miller has seen the Diamondbacks twice and has thrown 6 innings in both starts and owns a 3.00 ERA against them.
I also like the fact that he’s a rookie and likely has no scar tissue or fear going into the biggest game of the season. Outside of a tuneup on the last day of the season, Miller averaged 6.2 innings in his last 9 starts and posted a 3.51 ERA. He’s ready and the Dodgers trust him.
MAX FRIED ($8000 DK)
Fried missed the last 10 days of the regular season with a blister. But outside of that and missing games to start the season, he was phenomenal when he pitched posting an 8-1 record and 2.55 ERA.
He also pitched well in his one start against Philly this year going 6 innings and allowing just 1 ER. And consider this, the Braves bullpen is a weak spot meaning manager Brian Snitker will likely give Fried a long leash today.
ZAC GALLEN ($8600 DK)
In a short slate loaded with aces, Zac Gallen is here only by default and matchup. He’s still someone I’ll play in a few lineups. But here’s my concern, in 10 innings against LA this year he’s pitched 10 innings and allowed 11 ERs.
KOOL-AIDE MAN (SWEET SPOT VALUE PITCHER)
N/A
No value pitchers on a 2 game slate.
HITTERS – DRAFTKINGS
CLASSIC SLATE – 6:07 PM
MLB STACKS RANKED IN ORDER OF PREFERENCE:
- LA Dodgers
- Philadelphia
- Atlanta
- Arizona
CORE BATTERS
TREA TURNER ($4400 DK)
Turner made the game saving play in Game 1. But that was in the field as he flashed his glove and made an amazing double play in a high stakes situation. He also did well at the plate as he has a hit in all three playoff games this year. Add to that he has a 0.400 BA against Fried in 35 at-bats.
For stacking, I like BRYCE HARPER, ALEC BOHM, NICK CASTELLANOS, BRYSON STOTT, and JT REALMUTO.
WILL SMITH ($5800 DK)
The Dodgers catcher has good career numbers off Gallen as he bats 0.375 and slugs 0.563. He was also the only Dodger with multiple hits in Game 1.
For stacking, I like FREDDIE FREEMAN, MOOKIE BETTS, MIGUEL ROJAS, MAX MUNCY AND JD MARTINEZ.
SLAP HITTER (SWEET SPOT VALUE BATTER)
ALEK THOMAS ($2900 DK)
The Dbacks OF has homers in consecutive MLB playoff games and is averaging 17 DK points in the playoffs. He’s good value and could be used as a one off.
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