The Wild Card round of the Major League Baseball playoffs continues today. With Game 2 of the Chicago Cubs-Miami Marlins series already underway, the only other game on the docket is the San Diego Padres-St. Louis Cardinals Game 3. After the Padres’ offense woke from – or burst out of – their slumber in Game 2 last night, the win-or-go-home Game 3 starts tonight at 7:08 p.m. EST on ESPN. For this DFS showdown, we will give you one captain and a few options for the five utility spots. The captain’s price is 1.5 times his normal price but also gets 1.5 times his normal points. Let’s dive into it. Keep in mind this is a DraftKings showdown.
Captain
Jack Flaherty, at $17,100, is a fairly easy fade here now that the Padres’ offense is back to peak form. In a do-or-die game, he will also probably have a short leash. Fernando Tatis Jr. ($15,300) had his postseason coming-out party last night, going 3-5 with two bombs and five RBIs. Look for him to stay hot against a right-hander who he has mashed in his first two seasons. Against righties, Tatis Jr. has hit 17 and 14 homers last year and this year, respectively. He also had a .414 wOBA, 163 wRC+, and .321 ISO against them this season.
Utility Options
Manny Machado ($9,800), Paul Goldschmidt ($9,000), Jake Cronenworth ($8,400), and Trent Grisham ($8,200) are some top options to target. You will obviously have to build your lineup with one or two of these guys and then go with cheaper options. Machado and Goldschmidt both hit homers yesterday. Tommy Pham is a potential cheap option at just $6,400. He is listed as day-to-day after battling through sporadic pain in his left hand after returning from hamate bone surgery in mid-September. Manager Jayce Tingler noted that it is a non-issue, and he should continue to be able to play through it. After a 4-5 day yesterday, he is an easy addition to your lineup at that price.
Dylan Carlson ($5,200), Matt Carpenter ($6,200), and Mitch Moreland ($7,800) are other cheaper options, and that is a nice way to round out your lineup. Carlson is the youngest player remaining in the playoffs and batted cleanup in the first two games. He will likely stay there after reaching base in seven of his 10 plate appearances. With the Padres looking like they will go with a bullpen game, leaning more towards a Cardinals stack is definitely an option. Tommy Edman ($7,400) would be a good play, especially if the Padres announce left-hander Adrian Morejon as the starter. Edman had a .220 ISO and 127 wRC+ this season and would have the platoon split advantage there.
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