This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Atlanta scored a big Game 1 victory on the road to open the World Series in a game where both teams saw their starting pitchers go out unexpectedly early: Framber Valdez for the Astros because he got lit up, and Charlie Morton for Atlanta because unfortunately he suffered an injury that will keep him out the rest of the series.
For Game 2 on Wednesday, we're getting Max Fried versus Jose Urquidy. The series is still in Houston, which means both lineups with have a DH. That paid off for Atlanta in Game 1, as Jorge Soler opened the festivities with a leadoff home run.
With FanDuel single-game rules, you choose five players to fit under the salary cap. One is your MVP and worth double the points. Another is your Star and worth 1.5 times the points. The other three are in the Utility category. Here is a lineup that entices me for Game 2.
MVP
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. ATL ($8,500): Fried posted a 3.04 ERA, and he doesn't allow a lot of home runs, but he did give up two in his last start (Game 5 of the NLCS). Of course, Altuve isn't reliant on the long ball to accrue fantasy points, though he did hit 31 this season. The second baseman hit .278 this year, and he's a career .308 hitter. Get him while he's at home, too, because he managed a .932 OPS at home this season.
STAR
Eddie Rosario, ATL at HOU ($7,000): Rosario was the star of the NLCS, putting up 14 hits over six games. Naturally, he was the MVP of that series. Sure, he doesn't typically hit like that, but he did have a .903 OPS in 33 games with Atlanta after being dealt during the regular season. Besides, the lefty has shown he's reliable with a right-handed pitcher on the mound. Since 2019 he's slugged .507 against righties.
UTILITY
Ozzie Albies, ATL at HOU ($7,500): Albies stuffed the stat sheet this season. He notched 30 home runs, 20 stolen bases, 106 RBI, and 103 runs. Every season in which he's played over 60 games he's managed at least 20 homers and 10 steals. Urquidy had a 4.13 FIP this season, and while Albies tends to hit lefties better, given how often relief pitchers are getting used in the playoffs he may get an opportunity against a southpaw as well.
Yuli Gurriel, HOU vs. ATL ($6,500): Gurriel doesn't have as much power as some of the other Astros, but he knows how to make some magic with his bat… and with his patience. The Cuban hit .319 with a .383 OBP this year. Furthermore, he had a .925 OPS against lefties and an .889 OPS at home, so facing Fried in Houston is ideal for him.
Adam Duvall, ATL at HOU ($5,500): Duvall is one of a few Atlanta players, Soler and Joc Pederson being the other two that come to mind, who don't win batting titles but have the power to smash a ball over the fence any time they come to the plate. Duvall hit 38 home runs this year even though he couldn't manage a .300 OBP. He's added a couple more homers in the playoffs. Urquidy allowed 1.43 home runs per nine innings, so their matchup could yield some fireworks.
