Houston Astros vs Tampa Bay Rays (-135)

Game Total: 8

The MLB playoffs have been a lot of fun considering the condensed season and added teams to the postseason, but there are only two teams left in the American League. The Rays should open as the favorites here considering they’re the top seeded team in the American League, but the Astros’ offense has been electric.

MVP/CPT

1. Alex Bregman , 3B HOU - I like Blake Snell and I think he has dynamic stuff, but we saw against the Yankees that righty power can give him fits as he allowed 3 HR in his lone ALDS start. Bregman has given Snell fits in his career going 6-for-15 with 2 HR and has also crushed southpaws as a whole batting .319 with a .408 wOBA. Bregman has three multi-hit games over his last four contests. 

2. Randy Arozarena, OF TB - There aren’t many hotter hitters on the planet than the Rays rookie outfielder who is hitting everything pitched to him. He has three homers this postseason already and has a 1.200+ OPS over his last 10 games overall. He’s hit lefties well, despite it being a small sample size, hitting .400 with 4 HR with a .591 wOBA.

3. Framber Valdez , SP HOU - Valdez has been the team’s best pitcher by a mile and he’s won both of his postseason starts thus far. Valdez has won seven of his last 10 starts while putting up 20+ DK points in eight-of-10. Valdez had a 26.4% K-rate this season and nobody strikes out against southpaws more than Tampa Bay.

Mid-Tier

1. Carlos Correa , SS HOU - His postseason has been one to remember thus far but his top-tier play dates back to the end of the regular season. Over the last 10 games, Correa has slashed .441/.525/.882 with 5 HR and 13 RBI. Hard to ignore his .330 wOBA vs. LHP this year as well.

2. Mike Brosseau , 1B/2B TB - The ALDS hero is not only in Sunday’s lineup, but he’s leading off. He’s not only leading off because of his game-winning home run that put the Rays in this position, but because he’s hit lefties well all year long. Brosseau has 5 HR versus left-handed pitching this year to go along with a .302 AVG and .394 wOBA.

3. George Springer , OF HOU - Another Astro who has had success against Snell going 4-for-13 with a homer and .357 wOBA. Springer has always been someone who hits left-handed pitching well as suggested by his .899 OPS and a .384 wOBA.

Value Play(s)

1. Willy Adames , SS TB - It’s a tough match-up for Tampa with a ground ball oriented pitcher on the mound, but Adames has hit left-handed pitching well from the beginning of the year. Adames has a .319 AVG and .417 wOBA against them and is hitting sixth tonight.

2. Yuli Gurriel , 1B HOU - Not a lot of people will give Gurriel much love, but he’s intriguing here. He hit lefties well, despite being a notoriously good reverse splits hitter. He hit .290 with a .366 wOBA to boot. Gurriel happens to be 6-for-17 (.353 AVG) vs. Blake Snell .