This article is part of our DraftKings MLB series.
There are only four MLB games Friday, but for a postseason day, that's great, as you won't get more games in a day until the 2019 season. The first game begins at 2:05 PM ET, and here are some players you might want in your lineup.
PITCHER
Clayton Kershaw, LAD vs. ATL ($8,000): There are four aces in action Friday, and Kershaw is the cheapest. He also has the easiest matchup of the quartet, because seven of the top 10 teams in runs scored are playing (including the Braves, who are 10th). Even in a "down" year Kershaw had a 2.73 ERA, and at home his ERA was 2.58.
CATCHER
Yan Gomes, CLE at HOU ($3,300): Gomes had a solid year, posting a .266 batting average and hitting 16 homers in 112 games. He had a concern about his hand, which may be why he's cheaper than a lot of backup catchers Friday, but he's purportedly healthy. Yes, a matchup with Justin Verlander is not favorable, but the catcher options are largely mediocre. Gomes, who averaged 6.6 fantasy points per game, is worth a shot.
FIRST BASE
Steve Pearce, BOS vs. NYY ($3,600): Pearce had a great year at home posting a .940 OPS in such games. Granted, some of that came with Toronto, but the 35-year-old had a .901 OPS with the Red Sox after making the move. J.A. Happ, who also got traded, had a 2.69 ERA with the Yankees, but a 4.25 FIP.
SECOND BASE
Enrique Hernandez, LAD vs. ATL ($3,900): Hernandez ended the season hot, posting a 1.049 OPS over his last 30 games. He's also the go-to second baseman when a righty is on the mound, because Brian Dozier has mostly been relegated to facing lefties. Anibal Sanchez has had a surprisingly good season, but since 2016 he's allowed a .293 batting average against right handers.
THIRD BASE
Mike Moustakas, MIL vs. COL ($4,100): Moustakas played hero Thursday with his game-winning hit, and on the year he had 28 homers with the Royals and Brewers combined. Tyler Anderson will be starting for the Rockies, and he was actually worse on the road, posting a 5.02 ERA in away games. He also gave up 1.53 homers per nine innings.
SHORTSTOP
Xander Bogaerts, BOS vs. NYY ($4,700): Bogaerts set a personal best with 23 homers this year, despite playing in only 136 games. Fifteen of those homers came at home, where he also posted a .967 OPS. As previously noted, J.A. Happ had a 4.25 FIP with the Yankees.
OUTFIELD
David Dahl, COL at MIL ($5,000): Dahl ended the regular season red hot, posting a .961 OPS and hitting six homers over the final 21 games of the year. He struggled against lefties, but he slashed .286/.346/.568 against righties. Jhoulys Chacin, who is a righty, had a 4.07 FIP in 2018, and he has a 4.09 FIP in his career.
Lorenzo Cain, MIL vs. COL ($4,700): Cain didn't show a ton of power this year, he had a .417 slugging percentage…except against lefties. He had a .528 slugging percentage versus southpaws, and hit four homers in 162 at bats. Tyler Anderson is a lefty, and he also had a 5.02 road ERA. Cain could easily go yard, and his stolen base ability (he swiped 30 bags this year) could come into play as well.
Yasiel Puig, LAD vs. ATL ($4,200): Speaking of outfielders who ended the year hot, Puig had a 1.089 OPS and seven homers over the last 21 days of the regular season. That came almost entirely against righties, as he slashed .297/.357/.564 versus right handers on the year. Anibal Sanchez had a 2.83 ERA this year, but a 3.66 FIP. This was also his first time with a FIP below 4.80 since 2014.
