MLB World Series DFS Showdown Playbook: Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros Game 4
Philadelphia Phillies vs Houston Astros
Total: 7.5
Moneyline: EVEN -110
We move to Game 4 of the MLB World Series! The Phillies will send Aaron Nola to the mound while the Astros will counter with Cristian Javier. This is a big game, especially for the Astros, and given that neither team is favorites, it makes for a very intriguing matchup!
Don't forget to check out the MLB lineups page before locking in MLB daily fantasy lineups. Plus, use the MLB daily projections, our MLB DFS Optimizer, and the rest of our MLB DFS lineup tools before setting your lineups. Now let's look at our MLB DFS top picks for Friday, November 2.
Captain/MVP
Aaron Nola, Philadelphia Phillies
Nola got shelled in Game 1, but this is still an elite pitcher who can go out and dominate any offense on any given day. He had a 3.24 ERA on the year with a 0.97 WHIP and 253 strikeouts across 222.1 innings and he has the most upside of anyone today.
Cristian Javier, Houston Astros
Javier had a fantastic season with a 2.49 ERA, 0.94 WHIP, and 201 strikeouts across 155.1 innings of work. He’s been flat-out ridiculous recently with a 1.47 ERA and 0.76 WHIP over his last 10 games. In his most recent start (ALCS game against the Yankees), he fired 5.1 shutout innings with five Ks.
Bryce Harper, Philadelphia Phillies
Harper is scorching hot right now, slashing .366/.381/.829 over his last 10 games with FIE home runs, four doubles, and 21 total R+RBI. He is embracing the playoff spotlight and trying to do everything he can to secure his first World Series ring.
Utility
Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros
Tucker was strong against righties this year to the tune of a .275/.359/.491 slash (with 22 steals), compared to .228/.279/.456 against lefties (3 steals). Tucker had a .848 OPS while averaging 9.5 dk ppg on the road this year, compared to marks of .768 and 7.8 at home this year.
Chas McCormick, Houston Astros
McCormick has played very well recently, slashing .355/.459/.581 over his last 10 games with two dingers and nine R+RBI. His price tag is very reasonable, especially for how hot of a bat he is swinging right now.
David Hensley, Houston Astros
Hensley picked up a surprise World Series start in Game 3, his first start of the playoffs. He didn’t do a whole lot, going 1-3 with no counting stats, but it’s hard to ignore his price tag if he draws another start. He looked pretty good in the regular season, going 10-30 (.333) with a home run.
Rhys Hoskins, Philadelphia Phillies
Hoskins is on another level right now, slashing .263/.333/.737 over his last games with SIX home runs and 20 R+RBI. He was much better at home this year, slashing .266/.355/.562 in Philly, compared to .219/.298/.375 on the road.
J.T. Realmuto, Philadelphia Phillies
He was also way better at home this year too, slashing .315/.375/.549, compared to .236/.313/.407 on the road. He is slashing a healthy .263/.333/.526 over his last 10 games with three dingers.
Brandon Marsh, Philadelphia Phillies
Marsh was someone I liked against McCullers and had a monster game, going 2-3 with a home run and two runs scored to finish with 19 dk points. He is still very cheap and that is what makes him an option for today’s game once again, especially after a strong performance.
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Don't forget to check out the MLB lineups page before locking in MLB daily fantasy lineups. Plus, use the MLB daily projections, our MLB DFS Optimizer, and the rest of our MLB DFS lineup tools before setting your lineups.
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.