MLB DFS Playbook October 12: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Published: Oct 12, 2023
Welcome to Thursday! We are down to the final division series. The ALCS is now set with the Texas Rangers taking on the Houston Astros after the Astros defeated the Minnesota Twins in game 3-2 yesterday. The Arizona Diamondbacks await the winner of the Phillies and Braves after completing their sweep of the Los Angeles Dodgers last night. While those three teams wait, our attention is turned to Philly, where the Philadelphia Phillies hold a 2-1 lead over the Atlanta Braves after a huge win last night powered by Bryce Harper and Nick Castellanos, each crushing two home runs. This gives us just a 1-game slate today starting at 8:07 PM EST on DraftKings and FanDuel. The 1-game format is a bit different, but that won’t stop us from building some winning MLB DFS lineups today. Make sure to check out all of our amazing MLB DFS tools, as they are always worth going through before building your lineups, as are the Vegas Odds, but let’s dive into today’s MLB DFS playbook to help build some winning lineups!
MLB DFS Playbook October 12
DFS Lineup Construction Thoughts
With only a one-game slate, the lineup construction differs a bit with only a handful of spots and having to choose players for points multipliers. While I believe many will be using Spencer Strider as their point multiplier, I’m riding with Philly today. Those Philly fans chanting “We want Strider” last night have me believing them, and the Philly offense just looks unstoppable right now.
Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers
Ranger Suarez, Philadelphia Phillies
Since I am not going with Spencer Strider today, that means if I am going with a pitcher, it will be Ranger Suarez. I also think it is a viable option to go with no pitcher today since you can do that in a 1-game format. Going with no pitcher is probably my favorite option, but if you really want to run with a pitcher still, Suarez isn’t a terrible move as he managed 3.2 innings with 4 strikeouts and only 1 hit in his first outing against Atlanta.
Recommended DFS Hitters
Favorite Hitters
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Bryce Harper loves the big stage. He always seems to deliver in these moments, with two homers last night that gives him 5 total hits (plus 3 walks) with 3 homers in this series against Atlanta. I expect Bryce to deliver another big game today to propel the Phillies into the NLCS, and I am choosing Harper for any points multipliers today.
Bryson Stott, Philadelphia Phillies
While Bryson Stott went hitless last night, he still managed to get a walk and a run scored. We have already seen Stott deliver this postseason with that huge grand slam against the Miami Marlins, and Stott comes in at a very low price for someone who can deliver big, which makes him one of my favorite choices after Harper to build a lineup around.
Honorable mention: Trea Turner, Nick Castellanos, Kyle Schwarber
Player Pool
| $ Tier |
|---|
Stacks
| Phillies | Nick Castellanos | Trea Turner | Alec Bohm | Bryson Stott | Kyle Schwarber | Bryce Harper |
 DraftKings | 4000 | 5200 | 3600 | 3800 | 4700 | 5000 |
 Fanduel | 6000 | 8000 | 6500 | 6500 | 7000 | 9000 |
Player News
Heriberto Hernandez doubled and singled to knock in four runs as the Marlins beat the Giants 8-5 in 10 innings Wednesday.
Hernandez’s three-run double in the 10th made all of the difference tonight. He’s up to .340/.377/.480 in 53 plate appearances since his callup on May 30, and while there’s little in his numbers to back that up. he could be in line for an expanded role in the second half after the Marlins start selling off pieces.
Edward Cabrera yielded two runs and three hits in 5 1/3 innings Wednesday against the Giants.
Cabrera, who struck out six, nearly matched Logan Webb tonight, adding to his trade value in what will surely be a busy deadline for the Marlins. He’s slated to make his next start at home against the Twins.
Calvin Faucher gave up two runs in the ninth to take a blown save against the Giants on Wednesday.
Faucher wound up with the win afterwards, but that’s not exactly to his credit. He hit the first two batters he faced in the ninth and walked the third before giving up a sac fly and a game-tying single. It’s good news for anyone speculating on Ronny Henriquez; he seems like the Marlins’ best reliever right now, but since the team is mostly worried about trade value at the moment, Faucher should continue to close.
Logan Webb didn’t factor into the decision Wednesday after allowing two runs in six innings against the Marlins.
Webb, who struck out six, allowed two runs or fewer in a fifth consecutive start, but it wasn’t quite enough tonight. Because the Giants offense still isn’t great, he’s gone 1-2 over six starts while allowing two runs over six or more innings. He’ll make his next start in Arizona against the Diamondbacks.
Camilo Doval gave up four runs — three earned — while getting two outs in the 10th inning Wednesday in a loss to the Marlins.
The Giants have proactively switched closers in consecutive years now, but it’s unclear if it’s actually helped them either time. Doval was a successful if exceedingly shaky closer when he was replaced by Ryan Walker last summer, and the same has mostly held true since the two had their roles reversed a month ago. Doval has given up five earned runs in his last two appearances, taking his ERA from 1.59 to 2.78. He should stick in the closer’s role for now, but one more bad appearance might get him replaced by Randy Rodríguez.
Max Muncy had a grand slam and a two-run single as the Dodgers topped the Rockies 8-1on Wednesday.
The two-run single on an infield popup was entirely a product of a storm that led to a rain delay immediately after dropping next to a bewildered Michael Toglia. The slam then came an inning afterwards off Tyler Kinley. Muncy has 13 RBI in three games, taking his season total from 38 to 51. It might be more of a case of taking advantage of bad pitching than a sudden resurgence, but no one here is complaining.