Not often do we see the top seeds from each league make the World Series, but that's what we have in 2024 when the American League top-seeded New York Yankees battle against the National League's best, Los Angeles Dodgers. 

 

 

 

Even more rare when the Fall Classic features the two best teams AND the two best players, Aaron Judge and Shohei Ohtani, and those two are going to win the MVP trophy in their respective leagues. It's a match made in heaven and an amazing storyline overall. This World Series is going to be a banger.

It's time to deliver the goods with the top MLB DFS picks for Game 1 of the World Series, taking place on Friday, 10/25. Each team is sending their aces to the mound, top bats to the dish, and the bullpens are refreshed and recharged. Let's dive into the MLB DFS Playbook for Game 1 of the World Series.

MLB DFS Picks & Daily Fantasy Playbook Today, World Series Game 1

Recommended MLB DFS Starting Pitchers

Top Options For Strikeouts

Odds For A Win

Bullpen ERAs (Playoffs)

 

 

 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core Pitchers

Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees

These pitchers in this series are going to have a hard time navigating through each other's lineups but we best on best here as Gerrit Cole faces Dodgers ace, Jack Flaherty. Cole has slightly worse odds to go over 4.5 strikeouts but the interesting part about Cole is his odds to win are very solid. With Cole’s ability to neutralize lefties, he should be able to find success in Game 1.

Jack Flaherty, Los Angeles Dodgers

I’ve been mentioning it a lot, but Jack Flaherty has hit a rut against right-handed pitchers and that’s scary when factoring in some of the Yankees righties right now are smoking hot. Giancarlo Stanton is the hottest hitter on the planet, Aaron Judge is the MVP, and Gleyber Torres has been an elite leadoff hitter. If Flaherty can beat his demons and get past the home runs against righties, he could cruise here.

 

 

 

MLB DFS Lineups: Core Hitters

Highest Expected Run Totals 

MLB DFS Showdown MVP Captain Picks

Aaron Judge - $14,400 DK, $9,000 FD

I have a hard time believing Aaron Judge will continue to be held in check and you should have that same belief. Instead of believing in a small, two-series sample, how about the 162-game sample he had during the regular season? He hit 58 homers and was a few points on his average away from having won the triple crown. Over the last 90 days, right-handers have posted a .294 ISO and a .388 wOBA against Jack Flaherty.

Giancarlo Stanton - $12,600 DK, $7,500 FD

Hottest hitter on the planet against a pitcher that struggles with righties. I like that. Also, going from Judge to Stanton at captain makes sense so you can get another big-time spend up in your lineup considering it’s an $1,800 captains discount on DK and $1,500 on FD.

Mookie Betts - $13,200 DK, $8,000 FD

Nobody on the Dodgers is hotter than Mookie Betts right now and he put the team on his back in the Mets series. Sheesh he was good. In the final four games, Betts had eight hits – five for extra-bases – six RBI, four more scored, and two stolen bases. Gerrit Cole pitched worse against righties this year.

Shohei Ohtani - $15,000 DK, $9,500 FD

I almost moved Ohtani to the UTIL section, but I couldn’t with good conscious do that. If he explodes, he explodes, and you’ll need him in the captain's chair. If he gets on, he’s a threat to steal and hits home runs that might leave Dodger Stadium.

Juan Soto - $13,800 DK, $8,500 on FD

Does anyone like narratives? Juan Soto’s birthday is on Friday, which happens to be Game 1. Soto’s also homered in two straight, three of five, and is dominating opposing pitching this postseason. As good as it gets across baseball.

 

 

 

MLB UTIL DFS Plays For Friday, 10/25

Gerrit Cole - $12,000 DK

See the write-up above.

Jack Flaherty - $11,400 DK

See the write-up above.

Gleyber Torres - $6,800 DK, $7,000 FD

It’s hard to imagine the Yankees are where they are without Gleyber Torres’ ability to consistently reach base. This postseason he’s hitting .297 with a .400 OBP and has scored nine runs in nine games. He has set the table so well for the Yankees and gets a good matchup in this one.

Teoscar Hernandez - $8,000 DK, $7,000

Hernandez was not great against the Mets, but he found his swing in Game 6, and he might’ve been something to do with returning to Dodger Stadium. He’s been fantastic at his home ballpark this year hitting seven more home runs than on the road despite playing just one more game home. He has an .878 OPS at home compared to .787 on the road.

 

 

 

Yankees vs. Dodgers MLB DFS Value Plays

Anthony Volpe - $5,800 DK, $6,500 FD

A cheap play for the Yankees is Anthony Volpe. Volpe’s been fantastic this postseason batting .310 with a .459 OBP and .374 wOBA. He had a 6.1% BB rate in the regular season and that’s expanded to 21.6% in the playoffs. He’s just constantly on the basepaths and with his speed, he’s a threat to steal some bags. He stole 28 during the regular season and two thus far in the playoffs.

Will Smith - $6,000 DK, $5,500 FD

Although we know Smith’s ability to hit lefties trumps his ability to hit righties, he’s firmly in play here. He’s an elite hitter and has as much power upside of anyone at this price and if you don’t have home runs in showdown, you’re in trouble.

Anthony Rizzo - $5,000 DK, $6,000 FD

In all four games he’s registered an at-bat in, he’s notched at least one hit. He’s looked like his old self again and is nice, cheap exposure for a guy feeling good at the dish. Also, of note, is a World Series champion and knows what it’s like to play in a series of this magnitude.

Kike Hernandez - $5,600 DK, $5,500 FD

Hernandez has been Mr. Postseason for the Dodgers. 15 career home runs in 81 games, along with a .533 SLG% and .374 wOBA. He hit some BIG home runs against the Padres and Mets and has been very productive this postseason as a whole batting .303 with two homers, eight runs scored, five more driven in, and a .377 wOBA.

 

 

 

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