New York Yankees @ Houston Astros

Game Total: 7

Moneyline: HOU -142 (FD Sportsbook)

After taking Game 1 of the ALCS, the Astros get back to work to defend home field advantage in Game 2 as Framber Valdez takes the mound for Houston. His counterpart in Luis Severino looks to help the Yankees steal a game in Houston and get this series back to New York tied 1-1. 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 Thursday, October 20. 

 

ALCS MLB DFS Top Plays 

Captain/MVP

Framber Valdez, Houston Astros

There was a stretch during this season that Framber Valdez tossed 25 consecutive quality starts, which is a new MLB record. That’s absolutely insane to think about. He was touched up a couple of times near the end of the campaign, but hasn’t allowed more than two earned runs in each of his last two starts. Valdez made one start against NYY this year and threw six innings, allowing just two hits, three earned runs, while striking out seven.

Aaron Judge, New York Yankees

Although it’s been a forgettable postseason to this point, everything could change if Aaron Judge helps the Yankees steal a game in Houston here. Judge has dominated left-handed pitchers this year, notching a .348 ISO and a .409 wOBA. We know he can leave any yard across the majors.

Yordan Alvarez, Houston Astros

Although he’s looked human lately, Yordan Alvarez looked like he was from a different planet during the first few games this postseason and really, all year long. Alvarez has Aaron Judge-esque numbers against right-handed pitching this year, notching a .338 ISO and a .424 wOBA. 

Yuli Gurriel, Houston Astros

Here’s a sneaky captain option that allows you to afford some of the other high spend options on tonight’s slate. Gurriel has been awesome this postseason notching hits in three of four games, along with two homers. He has 14+ DKP in those three games and actually has had some success against Luis Severino going 7-for-21 (.333 AVG).

 

UTIL

Luis Severino, New York Yankees

If the Yankees want to split and take a 1-1 series back to New York, they’re going to need Luis Severino to turn in a performance of a life time. I have 100% confidence he can, which is why I’m 100% OK with anyone who wants to use him in their captain slot as well. Since returning from injury, Severino has allowed three earned runs or less in all four starts and has been missing bats at an elite level.

Kyle Tucker, Houston Astros

Although Kyle Tucker is struggling right now, lefties are who gave Luis Severino problems this season. They had a .190 ISO against him, showcasing that Severino’s power fastball is hittable at times. Tucker had a .206 ISO and a .355 wOBA against right-handed pitchers this year.

Giancarlo Stanton, New York Yankees

It’s been all or nothing for Giancarlo Stanton this postseason but throughout his postseason career, he’s mostly been that way too. He’s homered 10 times in 24 playoff games, which is a wild rate. He has game changing power, which we know, and is 4-for-8 with a homer off Framber Valdez.

Jeremy Peña, Houston Astros

The legend of Jeremy Peña grows and grows with each passing playoff game as he’s been amazing for Houston through four games. He’s homered in two games in a row, has hits in all four of them, and has FIVE extra-base hits total. Hitting in front of the likes of Yordan Alvarez and Alex Bregman allows Pena to see a lot of good pitches to hit. He’s capitalizing on that in a big way.

Harrison Bader, New York Yankees

Look, who knows if this power surge can continue, but Harrison Bader is almost a must-play value option, especially in cash games. He’s homered four times in six postseason games and is very cheap across the industry.

Chas McCormick, Houston Astros

Chas McCormick has had a nice stretch at the plate riding a five-game hitting streak including a home run on Wednesday. Over his last 10 games overall, McCormick has slashed .414/.500/.655 with two home runs, four runs batted in, and seven more runs scored.

 

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