This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
We return to a full slate of four games Wednesday, with the two ALDS series playing in Game 4 and the NLDS series in Game 3. Every series could be decided by day's end, so don't expect much patience from managers hoping to keep their team's postseason hopes alive.
Pitchers
It's not a particularly strong day for pitching, as teams have to decide whether to throw elite starters on short rest, rely on their bullpens for bulk innings or turn to depth starters. Yoshinobu Yamamoto ($9,000) is clearly the top arm of the slate, having topped 30 DraftKings points in four of his last six starts, including his lone postseason outing against the Reds.
Quinn Priester ($8,000) has remained effective for the Brewers, completing at least five innings in five consecutive starts while allowing no more than three earned runs in any outing in that span. His value for fantasy purposes has fluctuated based on strikeouts, however, which he's been able to generate more inconsistently. It's a very small sample, but the Cubs have struck out at a whopping 34.6 percent clip this postseason, so Priester could be in for a solid showing. It's also worth noting that Milwaukee would need to have an epic collapse to not advance to the NLCS, so the team can be a bit more patient in allowing its starters to work through jams.
Jameson Taillon ($7,700) is squaring off against Priester but is another viable starting option. He's topped 15 DraftKings points in all but one of his last seven starts. The Brewers have swung hot bats to start the NLDS, and Taillon has the risk of a quick hook, but the rest of the starters are either struggling considerably or a small part of a bullpen game.
Top Hitters
It's been a good start to the postseason for Mariners' hitters, and any of Randy Arozarena ($4,500), Julio Rodriguez ($5,500) and Cal Raleigh ($6,000) are good options heading into a matchup against Casey Mize. Mize has allowed 1.71 HR/9 and a .327 wOBA to opposing right-handed batters this season.
Milwaukee's stars have crushed the Cubs to begin the NLDS, with William Contreras ($4,300) and Jackson Chourio ($5,000) among the headliners. Chourio has some risk due to a lingering hamstring injury, so he could be pulled even if he is in the starting lineup.
Value Bats
Colt Keith ($2,600) is a solid value as he's been pushed up toward the top of the Detroit lineup this postseason. There's plenty of reason to like Tigers' hitters, specifically lefties, on Wednesday's slate (more on that below), and the price is right to roster Keith regardless of stacking the rest of the lineup.
Stacks to Consider
Detroit Tigers vs. Seattle Mariners (Bryce Miller): Kerry Carpenter ($4,000), Colt Keith ($2,600), Riley Greene ($4,200)
The Tigers aggressively stacked left-handed hitters atop their lineup Tuesday against Logan Gilbert. While that had limited success, they should take the same approach Wednesday against Miller, and the results are likely to be different. Miller has struggled for most of the season, but that's particularly true against lefties. He has a 1.45 WHIP, 7.0 K-BB percentage and allowed 2.29 HR/9 against left-handed batters this season. Overall, Miller has allowed four earned runs in half of his eight starts since returning from an elbow injury.
New York Yankees vs. Toronto Blue Jays (bullpen game): Trent Grisham ($3,600), Aaron Judge ($6,300), Cody Bellinger ($3,900)
The Yankees looked to be all but knocked out of the playoffs after falling behind Toronto 6-0 on Tuesday night, only to rally to force Wednesday's game. They're in a good spot to force a Game 5 in Toronto, as the Blue Jays will turn to a bullpen game rather than turn to a traditional starter on short rest. The team's relievers were already taxed heavily in Game 3, so it should be another day for the Yankees' best hitters to capitalize.
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