Los Angeles Dodgers @ Tampa Bay Rays

Total: 7.5

LAD -155

After losing Game 1, Tampa Bay responded in a big way winning Game 2 6-4 on the shoulders of Blake Snell ’s nine strikeouts and the bat of Brandon Lowe ’s two home runs. The Dodgers went with a bullpen approach in Game 2 but will go more traditional sending Walker Buehler to the hill. On the flipside, postseason legend Charlie Morton takes the ball for Tampa Bay.

MVP/CPT

1. Charlie Morton , SP TB - One is the number to remember here. That’s how many earned runs have crossed the plate against Morton this postseason. He has actually thrown two straight shutouts as well, all spanning at least five innings as he’s picked up a win in all three as well as 5+ K’s in each game. In 12 career postseason games, Morton has pitched to a 2.84 ERA, is 7-2 with a robust 9.6 K/9. He just gets it done when the lights shine the brightest.

2. Mookie Betts , OF LAD - We have seen Betts’ ability to break open a slate all year and he did exactly that in Game 1 as he hit a home run and stole two bases. It’s well documented that he hits right-handed pitching better than he hits lefties due to his .323 AVG, 16 HR and .438 wOBA against them. Morton, although a small sample, allowed righties to bat .304 with a .325 wOBA this season.

3. Walker Buehler , SP LAD - With rain in the forecast, the roof will be closed for this one which is a factor considering not as much humidity will be inside the stadium during this one, limiting the distance the ball will carry..slightly. Buehler has been dominant throughout this entire postseason allowing no more than 2 ER in any start while striking out at least six in every game. He’s also put up 18+ FP in each. The Rays strike out a LOT and Buehler could put up a crooked number here.

Mid-Tier

1. Brandon Lowe , 2B TB - It took Lowe a while to get going, but he homered twice in Game 2 and hopefully that propels him into the series the Rays need him to have. Lowe led the team in almost all offensive categories this season and hit right-handed pitching well belting 8 HR to go along with a .355 wOBA. Walker Buehler allowed 1.48 HR/9 to LHH if you’re looking for something to hang your hat on in this match-up.

2. Cody Bellinger , OF LAD - Bellinger hasn’t had big, gaudy numbers this postseason, but he has belted 4 HR over his last 10 games and two in his last three. He draws the split advantage here and that is meaningful considering the .337 wOBA left-handed hitters posted against Charlie Morton this season. Being such a home run threat puts him in the conversation for the CPT spot as well.

3. Will Smith , C LAD - It’s weird to imagine a catcher making this much impact offensively because we really don’t have many offensive minded catchers in today’s game, but Will Smith is exactly that. Smith has four RBI over his last three games, including a home run in Game 2 and has driven in nine runs over his last seven postseason contests. Smith absolutely rakes against right-handed pitching posting a .288 AVG and .427 wOBA along with 8 HR in just 80 at-bats this year.

Value Tier

1. Austin Meadows , OF TB - It’s been a tough, tough campaign for Meadows this season, but you have to love the talent and love the fact that he’s hitting leadoff. He hit leadoff in Game 2 and went 1-for-3 and scored a run. He can be a difference maker as he belted 33 HR while posting a .922 OPS and .380 wOBA. Injuries have plagued him this season, but he could be in all GPP winning lineups tonight.

2. Ji-Man Choi , 1B TB - Now there is obviously a chance he is lifted late in this game based on match-up’s, but that’s what happened in Game 2 and he still went 2-for-3 before being removed. We’re getting someone with great value hitting fourth and was able to post a .333 wOBA vs. RHP this season. Choi has been pretty strong at the dish over the last month hitting .300 overall.