Welcome to the first week of MLB DFS, playoffs edition. Excitement is in the air as we follow these teams through an all-new playoff format that likely won’t be put into place in the future. We have a decent amount of games to pick players from in the first round for DFS purposes. My favorite game to pick off this week has to be the Los Angeles Dodgers at home to the Milwaukee Brewers. We will use that game as a core building piece to make a winning lineup. Let’s get right to it and make some Diamond Picks for Wednesday, September 30.
Pitcher
Walker Buehler LAD
Buehler has been very underwhelming this season, having not gone past the sixth inning in any of his eight starts. He still struck out 42 batters over 36.2 innings. The Brewers had an incredibly disappointing season offensively. They hit just .223 while striking out to a 26.6 percent rate. If Buehler can go five/six frames he can easily get to around eight strikeouts. Check out these strikeout rates for Brewers regulars; Christian Yelich-30.8, Keston Hiura-34.6, Omar Narvaez-31
History wise current Brew-Crew members have had viable success over the flamethrower; in a small sample of 34 plate appearances, they have hit to a .419 average. If this gives you too much pause, going to Chicago Cubs starter, Kyle Hendricks is a great pivot. He has been fantastic at Wrigley this season, the home and road splits are something to behold. At the windy city, he has a sparkling 1.85 ERA, and batters are hitting just .195. Hendricks is a different pitcher away from home: 4.06 ERA, .287 average for opposing hitters.
Infield
Corey Seager SS LAD
As stated earlier, Dodgers/Brewers is a great way to build your foundation. The Dodgers are avoiding Brandon Woodruff and Corbin Burnes tonight. They will turn to left-handed throwing Brent Sutter but expect a heavy dose of Brewers relievers. Although the initial lefty-on lefty matchup for Corey Seager isn’t ideal he is still elite. The advanced stats back that up this year. He ranks fifth overall in hard-hit percentage at 55.3. His expected slugging percentage is off the charts as well at .653.
Will Smith C LAD
Another player that has really come into his own this season is backstop Smith. He tore it up in September slashing .348/.427/.621. All toll he carried a 47.3 percent hard-hit rate and an expected slugging percentage of .538 for the entirety of the campaign. Look for the Dodgers to pounce early, the Brewers will use a stellar group of arms out of the pen. The entire staff puts them at second overall in terms of WAR at 9.8.
Outfield
Wil Myers SD
Myers has performed incredibly well this season and sometimes gets lost amongst this star-laden group. He posted impressive numbers versus southpaws in 2020: .328 average, 5HR in 64 ABs. Kwang Hyun Kim (L) is scheduled to take the bump for the Cards. He has never faced San Diego. Once things get turned over to the pen, San Diego will face a bullpen that is pitching to a 4.63 FIP. All toll Cardinals pitchers carry a 4.20 ERA when matched against right-handed hitters.
Mark Canha OAK
The Athletics will draw crafty veteran left-hander Dallas Keuchel in game two of the series. In 56 plate appearances, this season against left-handed pitching Canha has hit to the tune of a .333 average and a .500 SLG. The A’s as a team have tagged Keuchel fairly well dating as far back as 2015. Current players are hitting .245 in 173 plate appearances. This has resulted in a 4.43 FIP for the former Cy Young winner.
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