This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Thursday and Friday's games should be interesting with the Brewers and Astros each in dire need of a win, and all four pitchers having already taken part in this matchup. Justin Verlander is a clear choice, while I'm going with the small underdog in the Friday game and a pitcher who started Wednesday's game.
PITCHER
Justin Verlander, HOU vs. BOS ($53): The Astros are in win-or-go-home mode, and that's where Verlander comes in. He hasn't been dominant in two postseason starts, yet it's been enough to get wins with only four hits allowed in 11.1 innings. Verlander is also most likely on the slate to surpass five innings, making him close to a must-own in cash games. Either way, he's gone six innings against the Red Sox in his last three starts against them, two of those coming in the postseason.
Wade Miley, MIL vs. LAD ($31): Since David Price ($49) and Hyun-Jin Ryu ($45) are overpriced for guys who probably won't reach five innings, it makes sense to use Miley for cheap. He was taken out of Wednesday's game after walking the first batter, but it's hard to see him pitching less than an inning again. Milwaukee is also back home where Miley went 5.2 innings and gave up only two hits in Game 2. The Dodgers have a stacked roster, but haven't gotten their bats going with just 11 runs in the last four games.
CATCHER
Martin Maldonado, HOU vs. BOS ($7): Since none of the catchers are hitting, it doesn't make sense to spend a few extra bucks on one. At a minimum, Maldonado has started three of four games in the series, and if that doesn't continue, Brian McCann ($7) is an equally viable option. Maldonado also doubled in the first meeting with Price. If you want to spend up, Manny Pina ($13) is at least getting on base when he starts.
FIRST BASE
Steve Pearce, BOS at HOU ($11): You could spend a few more on Yuli Gurriel ($14), but Pearce has been a useful option all postseason, getting on base every start, and that includes two for extra bases. It's not a great matchup against Verlander, though he's 2-for-5 against him in his career with one homer. Pearce also had a useful .500 OBP in his last 26 plate appearances of the season against righty arms.
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. BOS ($18): Altuve may end up being the only usable second basemen due to matchups. He's gotten on base every postseason game and had a .441 OBP in his last 34 plate appearances against southpaws in the regular season. He's also one of Houston's more successful bats against Price with a .345 OBP in 29 career at-bats.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LAD at MIL ($17): If you want to go all out, Alex Bregman ($25) is the pick, but Turner at least provides a consistent bat with a .429 OBP in his final 42 plate appearances of the season against southpaws, as well as a career .500 OBP in 14 plate appearances against Miley. He doesn't provide the same power as Bregman, but he'll get on base.
SHORTSTOP
Orlando Arcia, MIL vs. LAD ($14): Arcia has turned into one of Milwaukee's better bats out of nowhere, having hit safely in every playoff start. He homered against Ryu last week and also finished the season with a solid .478 OBP in his last 23 plate appearances against lefties. I'd rather take a chance on him than spend up on the other shortstops.
OUTFIELD
George Springer, HOU vs. BOS ($21): Springer makes the most sense of the high-end bats, simply because he's on fire with 13 hits in seven playoff games, and that includes four homers and three doubles. He doubled against Price in the previous meeting, and while Mookie Betts ($21) may be hitting as well, I'm not keen on his matchup with Verlander.
Ryan Braun, MIL vs. LAD ($15): Braun isn't having an amazing postseason, but he's acquired fantasy points in every game, and sometimes that's enough for a midrange outfielder. While he didn't have success against Ryu in the first meeting, he still closed the season with a .412 OBP in his last 34 plate appearances against southpaws.
Cody Bellinger, LAD at MIL ($10): Bellinger started (and was walked) against Miley on Wednesday so there's a good chance he stays in the lineup. Bellinger has gained some confidence with three hits in the last two games, and if Miley gets taken out early again, that will only boost Bellinger's value if there's a righty on the mound. Either way, Bellinger is as cheap as it gets for a starting outfielder.
