MLB DFS Playbook October 20: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Hello and welcome to the MLB DFS Playbook for October 20! We have a 2-game slate on DK and FD on our hands today as playoff action continues. We have a 5:07 pm ET start time, so plenty of time to make lineups. 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. However, as I am sure you have figured out by now, the new playbook will be a one-stop shop that includes everything from easy-to-read player write-ups and suggestions to MLB Weather Reports to lineup construction tips to our best value plays for DraftKings and FanDuel. You will be given core plays around which to build your lineups, DFS stacks to consider for GPP tournaments and key statistics to help you in your DFS research. Let’s dive in!
MLB DFS Playbook October 20
MLB Weather Updates
None.
Recommended DFS Starting Pitchers
Jordan Montgomery, Texas Rangers
I was high on Monty in Game 1 of this series and he came through with a very impressive outing, shutting down the Astros for 6.1 innings with 6 Ks and he picked up the win to finish with 26.7 dk points. It was his second outing in the playoffs with at least 26.2 dk points. He has thrown 93, 88, and 90 pitches in his postseason starts thus far, so his leash isn’t super short. I am excited to see this rematch duel between Monty and Verlander.
Honorable mention: Justin Verlander
Recommended DFS Hitters
Favorite Infielders
Trea Turner, Philadelphia Phillies
I know, I know, I keep highlighting Turner every playbook that I write… but the results speak for themselves and it has been a good choice on a daily basis. He has scored double-digit DFS points in 7 of 9 playoff games thus far and has FOUR games with 20+ points. The Diamondbacks are sending bozos to the mound today, so the Phillies offense should have a field day, including another monster day from Turner.
Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
Walker had a big year, hitting .257 with 34 home runs, 13 steals, and 108 RBI. The 13 steals are very impressive for a first base slugger like him, so it just adds even more upside. He has two steals and a home run in the playoffs already as well. He was better at home this year, hitting .270 with a .880 OPS, compared to .245 and .787 on the road, respectively.
Honorable mention: Gabriel Moreno, Evan Longoria, J.T. Realmuto
Favorite Outfielders
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
I mentioned in Turner’s section how the Phillies are in line for a big day, well of course we have to also look at Harper with that being the case. Harper has also been a beast in the playoffs, scoring at least 7 dk points in seven straight games with four home runs in that span. The Phillies will be chalky, but it looks like good chalk to me.
Lourdes Gurriel Jr, Arizona Diamondbacks
Gurriel Jr. is coming off a strong game in which he scored 17 points by going 2-3 with a double and a stolen base. Much like Walker, Gurriel Jr. was also far better at home this year, hitting .269 with a .843 OPS, compared to .253 and .697 on the road, respectively. I expect this game to be a high scoring game while I expect the Rangers vs. Astros game to be more of a pitching duel.
Honorable mention: Tommy Pham, Leody Taveras, Cristian Pache
Player News
Orioles manager Brandon Hyde told reporters that Zach Eflin (lat) is likely to return and start Sunday against the Angels
It was assumed that Eflin would be back this weekend, but now we have a concrete date. The 31-year-old may not be at full strength after throwing fewer than 60 pitches in his rehab start, but the Orioles feel confident enough to have the right-hander back on the bump for the series finale against the Angels.
Riley Greene is not in the lineup for the first game of a doubleheader against the Rockies on Thursday.
Greene will get a break and likely return to the lineup for the second game of the twin-billing. Zach McKinstry will get the start in left field while Greene rests.
Yu Darvish (elbow) is facing live hitters on Thursday.
Darvish has been throwing bullpen sessions and traveled to the team’s complex in Arizona to face live hitters on Thursday. It will be his first time facing live batters since a spring training appearance on March 13th. He will likely need a few sessions like this before the Padres can map out a rehab appearance timeline for him.
Adael Amador is starting at second base and batting ninth for the Rockies on Thursday.
Amador has now started three of the last four games at second base for the Rockies. He’s gone just 7-for-43 this season with 15 strikeouts in 16 games. He’s just 22 years old, so there is plenty of time for him to adjust to the MLB level, but he doesn’t need to be on redraft radars right now.
Jackson Holliday is playing second base and batting second for the Orioles on Thursday against the Twins.
With Cedric Mullins sitting out on Thursday, Gunnar Henderson will bat lead off, and Holliday will jump up from sixth in the order to second. Holliday is riding a hot streak right now, and the Orioles are taking advantage. This is likely just a one-game sample with no Mullins or Adley Rutschman in the lineup, but Rutschman has been struggling, so perhaps it could become a more permanent spot in the lineup for Holliday moving forward.
Endy Rodriguez (finger) had his splint removed this week.
Rodriguez suffered a lacerated right index finger on April 14th. Now that he is out of his splint, he “is playing catch and doing a slightly modified swing.” Once he can progress to taking full swings, we’ll have a better sense of the timeline for his return.