This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
While the American League has seen runs pile up like leaves in the fall, the NL postseason has been dominated by low-scoring affairs. There's a good chance that won't change in Game 2 of the NLCS with Max Scherzer and Ian Anderson in line to start. I've put together a single-game contest lineup you could use if you want to try your hand at some DFS action. Just a reminder that you pick an MVP worth two times the points, a Star at 1.5x, and three utility spots.
MVP
Mookie Betts, LAD at ATL ($9,500): Anderson actually has a lower batting average allowed to lefties over his career, so he might have a bit of a reverse platoon going on. Meanwhile, Betts has posted a .938 OPS versus righties since 2019, but an .805 OPS against southpaws. This righty-on-righty matchup might be just what the former MVP needs. Injuries limited Betts to 122 regular season games, but he still produced 23 home runs and 10 stolen bases. And though the sample size is small, I can't forget Betts raking against Logan Webb when nobody else could touch him.
STAR
Freddie Freeman, ATL vs. LAD ($9,000): After looking fallible in his last couple regular-season starts, Scherzer definitely seemed on his game in his last one. Freeman has rarely met a righty he couldn't at least knock a double off of. He hit .300 yet again this year with 31 home runs for good measure. The lefty also absolutely crushes righties with a 1.017 OPS since 2019.
UTILITY
Will Smith, LAD at ATL ($6,000): I went top heavy with my MVP and Star, so my utility players are more attempts to scrounge some value on lower salaries. In a series that features two Will Smiths that might square off, the catching Will Smith boasts one of the best backstop bats having slashed .258/.365/.495 with 25 home runs across 130 contests. There are a few first basemen who would be ecstatic with those numbers.
AJ Pollock, LAD at ATL ($5,500): We have another right-hander in Pollock who hit .297 with a .536 slugging percentage this season. Those numbers would stand out more if he weren't in such a killer top-to-bottom lineup. Pollock also hit 21 home runs and stole nine bases, just short of completing his fourth season with double-digit dingers and swipes.
Joc Pederson, ATL vs. LAD ($5,000): You know the story with Pederson: he can't hit lefties. But put a righty on the mound and his power often shines. In 2019, Pederson hit 36 home runs - all against righties. In the Divisional Series, he went yard twice. He's the kind of guy who can be a fantasy boon with just one swing.
