This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
PITCHER
Clayton Kershaw, LAD vs. CHI ($53): This isn't the no-brainer that it might seem to be, mostly because Kershaw was not sharp in his first playoff appearance and he hasn't quite been himself since his return from injury. However, considering what the other pitchers are facing on this slate, Kershaw comes in as the top pick. The Cubs enter with a 22% K-rate against lefties this season, which is a nice number to face given that there are only four teams on the slate and they are all solid.
Justin Verlander, HOU vs. NYY ($49): This pick really comes down to the question of who you can trust more, Verlander or Luis Severino. The latter has pitched twice in the playoffs and he had varied results. Verlander has also pitched twice with varying results, but his poor outing came in relief. Also factor in the offenses in play and it's very difficult to side with Severino as the Houston lineup is rarely held in check. Houston enters with the highest wOBA against righties this season, while the Yankees are second in that category,though New York's K% against righties is four points higher, which seals the deal in favor of Verlander.
CATCHER
Austin Barnes, LAD vs. CHI ($9): The Dodgers will be the team to stack on this slate and with two inexpensive catching options in Barnes and Grandal, either will work. Barnes would be the preferred pick because he's been hitting well during the playoffs.
FIRST BASE
Yulieski Gurriel, HOU vs. NYY ($12): This is really a default pick as Cody Bellinger is listed as an outfielder. The other choices are Anthony Rizzo against Kershaw and Greg Bird against Verlander. While I like the way Bird has looked in the postseason, his season-long numbers prevent me from spending $16 on him against a solid right-handed pitcher. Rizzo has a tough matchup against one of the best lefties in the game, so likewise, I can't spend up for him. Gurriel has been a decent hitter all season and his .363 wOBA against righties is enough to justify the lower price.
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. NYY ($22): Altuve continues to hit well, and even though he's facing a tough matchup, it shouldn't matter. He posted a team-high .403 wOBA against righties this season, which was top 20 in the majors. He's expensive and he'll be a part of what looks to be a low-scoring game, but he's still worth the price.
THIRD BASE
Justin Turner, LAD vs. CHC ($15): Turner had a .484 wOBA against lefties this season, which was best on the Dodgers and top-5 in the majors, and facing off against Jose Quintana is certainly better than John Lackey, who was also in consideration for the start.
SHORTSTOP
Didi Gregorius, NYY at HOU ($16): The shortstop position might be the toughest to pick on the slate. There are four options with a wide range of salaries and no clear-cut pick. Correa is at the top, but at $19, he doesn't seem like the best option against a tough righty. Gregorius is next, but he has much more value than the guys just below him. It's a tough matchup, but Gregorius turned a tough matchup against a right in Corey Kluber into a career defining game, and he had a .354 wOBA against righties this season.
OUTFIELD
Marwin Gonzalez, HOU vs. NYY ($14): I'm not expecting the Severino that showed up against the Twins to show up in this spot, so this is as far as I'll go with the Astros. Gonzalez posted a .397 wOBA against righties this season, which was second on the Astros and top-20 in the majors. He cooled as the season wore on, but he managed to keep up a very healthy wOBA against righties all year.
Aaron Judge, NYY at HOU ($26): Much has been made about Judge's recent struggles, but he's always just one pitch away from turning it around. He had a .440 wOBA against righties this season, which was best on the Yankees and third in all of baseball. Verlander has been solid since joining the Astros, but as his relief appearance against the Red Sox proved, he's not unhittable.
Cody Bellinger, LAD vs. CHC ($19): The aforementioned Bellinger is still a good pick as an outfielder on this slate. He posted a .374 wOBA against lefties this season, which works out well with Quintana getting the call.
