MLB DFS Playbook October 31: Top Plays for DraftKings and FanDuel
Happy Halloween! Welcome to the MLB DFS Showdown Playbook for October 31! We are on to game 4 of the World Series! It has been a great series already with an incredible game 1 comeback win by the Rangers, a bounce-back smackdown by the Diamondbacks in game 2, and then another close battle in game 3 with the Rangers claiming the series lead once again. This series is still far from over, and these two teams feel very evenly matched. It was unfortunate to have both Adolis Garcia and Max Scherzer go down with injuries last night, but hopefully, they can return and contribute to this series. Will the Diamondbacks bounce back once again and even this series up at home, or can the Rangers keep things rolling and claim a 3-1 lead? We will find out tonight, but in the meantime, let’s build some winning MLB DFS lineups for the game. 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, the playbook will still be the one-stop shop for building some winning MLB DFS lineups, so let’s jump right in!
MLB DFS Playbook October 31
Recommended DFS Starting Pitcher
This is going to be a bullpen game for both teams. Joe Mantiply is getting the start for the Diamondbacks, with Andrew Heaney getting the start for the Rangers. I am not recommending any pitcher for today’s playbook. I don’t think you can count on any pitcher going more than an inning or two, and the odds of them scoring much seem very low to me, so I would rather run with a full lineup of hitters for this game.
Recommended DFS Hitters
If the Rangers end up winning this series, I am going to wager that Corey Seager wins World Series MVP. He has been an absolute monster at the plate, hitting another huge homer last night. With Adolis Garcia going down, Seager is really going to have to deliver as the big bat in the lineup, and I am going to be surprised if he isn’t able to step up to the challenge and continue to provide a ton of offense for the Rangers.
Ketel Marte, Arizona Diamondbacks
Ketel Marte has now extended his postseason-record hitting streak to 19 games with another single last night. While the hitting streak has only been maintained by two singles in the last two games, he is still getting hits, and I think he is due for a big game tonight. I think that we not only see him get this hitting streak to 20 but also think there is a great chance for multiple hits and some extra bases here in game 4.
Corbin Carroll, Arizona Diamondbacks
Corbin Carroll went 0 for 3 with a walk last night. Before that, he had 6 hits in the previous 3 games with 6 RBIs and 2 stolen bases. Down a game at home, the Diamondbacks really need their offense to deliver again today, and I am going to be surprised Corbin Carroll doesn’t get back in the hit column and do some damage to help the Diamondbacks even this series up.
Christian Walker, Arizona Diamondbacks
Christian Walker has been a non-factor for the Diamondbacks this postseason. He has given almost no production through this entire run. He had a great season and has just been in a slump at the end of the season and then through the postseason, I think the double he hit last night is going to pull him out of this slump. I am betting on Walker getting his first big game of the postseason tonight and quickly returning to being an important producer on this offense.
Honorable mention: Evan Carter, Josh Jung, Tommy Pham, Gabriel Moreno
Player News
Daulton Varsho picked up three hits, three RBI and a homer in a win over the Angels on Thursday.
Varsho has only played in seven games this year, but they’ve been seven good ones. He’s homered three times already, and his slugging percentage is a remarkable — and entirely unsustainable — .727 over 22 at-bats. Varsho has been a mediocre offensive player in his two seasons with the Blue Jays, but it’s possible at the age of 28 he’s having a breakout campaign. Far from a guarantee, but possible.
Taylor Ward hit a two-run homer in a loss to the Blue Jays on Thursday.
Ward, 31, gave the Angels a 2-0 lead with a two-run homer off Chris Bassitt in the first inning. He’s now gone deep in two of his last three games, and it ‘improves’ his slash to .181/.224/.391. Ward has been one of the most hot/cold players players in the sport over the last few years, so fantasy managers who can afford to make some roster moves may want to look at Ward while the going is good.
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. picked up three hits and scored twice in an 8-5 win over the Angels on Thursday.
Guerrero also drew a walk. It gives the first baseman multiple hits in back-to-back games, and it’s the third time in May that he’s reached that mark. That’s helped raise his average from .268 to .295, and the only thing fantasy managers can be disappointed with is his .432 slugging percentage. That number should continue to climb as the season unfolds, but Vladdy Jr. has had some inconsistent seasons when it comes to power production.
Chad Green picked up his first save of 2025 with a scoreless ninth against the Angels on Thursday.
Green got the save after Jeff Hoffman worked in back-to-back games — and struggled — in the first two contests against the Angels. He struck out two and looked the part while needing just nine pitches to get through the inning. Hoffman should remain the closer, but Green is on his tail if the struggles were to continue.
Chris Bassitt allowed five runs — four earned — while working six-plus innings against the Angels on Thursday while picking up a win.
Bassitt allowed three runs over the first two innings on a pair of homers, but settled down over his next four frames. He came out to work the seventh, but ended up being charged for two more runs after leaving the contest. The 36-year-old veteran has forged a 3.35 ERA and outstanding 49/8 K/BB ratio over the first quarter of the season, but this wasn’t him at his best. He’ll get the Rays next week if the rotation order stays the same for Toronto.
José Soriano allowed three runs over five innings while not factoring in the decision Thursday against the Blue Jays.
Soriano left with a 4-3 lead, but it was erased quickly after his departure. The 26-year-old was not exactly dominant in his outing with eight hits allowed and four free passes, but he did strike out six to help balance things out a smidgen. Soriano takes an even ERA of 4.00 into a scheduled start against the Padres in San Diego on Tuesday. There should be better options for that one.