Captain Picks
Tyler Glasnow, TB vs. LAD ($10,600) Captain ($15,900): Glasnow's the cheaper of the two starting pitchers but offers tremendous upside thanks to his overpowering fastball-curveball mix. The Rays' righty has struck out 25 batters in 19.1 innings this postseason (three starts, one relief appearance), and he was an even more proficient strikeout artist in the regular season, with a 38.2 percent strikeout rate. Dodgers starter Clayton Kershaw ($11,400) pitched a gem in his first start of the playoffs but has allowed seven earned runs over 11 innings in two starts since and has battled back spasms, making him a riskier choice even before factoring in his extensive history of postseason struggles.
Corey Seager, LAD vs. TB ($10,000) Captain ($15,000): Seager won the NLCS MVP and is slashing .298/.358/.766 this postseason. The Dodgers' shortstop also posted a .416 wOBA against righties in the regular season, so he's a strong choice against Glasnow, who has struggled with the long ball in the playoffs, giving up a pair of homers in each of his three starts. If you're expecting a high-scoring series opener, Seager's a nice option to lead the way.
Utility Plays
Randy Arozarena, TB vs. LAD ($9,600): Arozarena has been the engine driving Tampa Bay's offense all postseason, as he's quickly emerging as a star with a .382/.433/.855 line. As a right-handed batter, the 25-year-old Cuban will have the platoon advantage against the left-handed Kershaw.
Max Muncy, LAD vs. TB ($8,800): Muncy was a three true outcomes player in the series against the Braves, with two home runs and four extra-base hits among his five hits, along with nine walks and 11 strikeouts. The left-handed slugger's combination of patience and power makes him the most appealing choice among the guys priced outside the top tier, as he has mustered a robust .434 OBP this postseason despite a .211 average. Key Values Mike Zunino, TB vs. LAD ($6,800): Zunino has homered four times in 13 games this postseason, so Tampa's catcher will need just one good swing of the bat to provide strong value at his modest valuation. He has three 20-homer seasons under his belt, so Zunino's power surge is no fluke. Joc Pederson, LAD vs. TB ($5,000): Pederson has a terrific .375/.400/.500 line this postseason, making him a great value option. He figures to get the start with the right-handed Glasnow on the mound for the opposition, though the downside with Pederson is that he's likely to get pinch-hit for if the Rays bring in a lefty out of the bullpen. Enrique Hernandez ($4,400) has also thrived in a part-time role for the Dodgers and deserves legitimate consideration to fill out your lineup, even though he's likely to start the game on the bench.