We have a Game 7! There aren't many better phrases in sports, and we're treated to a deciding game to see who represents the AL in the World Series. This Toronto-Seattle series has been unpredictable, and it's impossible to know who's going to prevail to face the Los Angeles Dodgers. It should lead to some funky pitching decisions because the World Series isn't scheduled to start until Friday. That will make things difficult, but we'll try our best to project how this deciding game might play out!
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Pitching
George Kirby ($11,400) vs. Shane Bieber ($11,000)
Our Pick: Bieber
Since we're playing a Showdown slate, we're going to take a different approach. It's impossible to pick both pitchers, so we'll talk about these two and then decipher if either is worth utilizing. Let's start by talking about Kirby, because he's radioactive on this slate. Not only is he the most expensive player, but he was blown up by the Blue Jays in his last start. Kirby surrendered eight runs in that shelling, but that's no surprise since Toronto has been a top-five offense for most of the season.
So, can we use Bieber? The righty had a 3.57 ERA and 1.02 WHIP across seven starts over the final weeks and has been just as good in the postseason. Bieber has allowed just two runs in each of his first two playoff starts while dropping 27 DraftKings points against Seattle earlier in this series. He's also a -125 favorite in this game and is easily the superior option over Kirby. It's possible to avoid pitchers on this slate altogether, but Bieber is the best bet for your crown roster spot.
Top Targets
Vladimir Guerrero, TOR ($9,400)
If there's one player that needs to be used in every lineup, it's Vlad. The superstar has been the best player in these playoffs, posting a multi-hit game in six of 10 games. His power has been on full display during that sensational stretch, and he sports a .532 OBP, 1.000 SLG and 1.532 OPS across 39 at-bats. Guerrero has also scored at least 16 DK points in six of those 10 outings, and now he's facing the weaker pitcher on the slate. In his matchup against Kirby earlier in the ALCS, Guerrero went 4-for-4 with two doubles and a homer.
Cal Raleigh, SEA ($9,600)
How can we avoid this guy on a single-game slate? Raleigh just had arguably the greatest season by a catcher in MLB history, averaging 10.5 DK points per game thanks to his 60 dingers. He's added another three homers over his last six playoff outings. We also love that the game is outside of Seattle, because Raleigh had a .380 OBP and .999 OPS on the road this season. If you want to fade the pitchers altogether, be sure to get these two studs into your lineup.
Bargain Bats
Jorge Polanco, SEA ($7,600)
We talked about how Guerrero has been the best player in these playoffs, but Polanco isn't far behind. The second baseman has three homers and seven RBI across his last seven outings while moving up to the cleanup spot in a scary Seattle lineup. Polanco has a .258 AVG, .548 SLG and .851 OPS in that span. What we really love is that Polanco has the platoon advantage against Bieber, and he's provided a .786 OPS against right-handers during his career. He also closed the regular season with a 1.075 OPS across his final 32 games.
Addison Barger, TOR ($6,000)
I wrote up Barger less than a week ago, and all the same selling points still apply. The breakout slugger had some of the best hard-hit metrics in the league during the regular season, including a .342 xwOBA, 91.7 mph exit velocity and 51 percent hard-hit rate. Those are in line with many All-Star bats, and Barger showed that potential when he had two hits and a homer Sunday. We didn't even mention that he'll have the platoon advantage against Kirby, and he registered a .788 OPS against righties this year.
