FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball ALCS Helper: Rangers at Astros, Game 1

For those unfamiliar with the single-game daily fantasy baseball format, scoring is identical to its full roster cousin, except you only roster hitters, and lineups consist of five flex spots.

The one twist? One of the five roster spots is your designated "MVP," who receives 2-times his total fantasy points, along with a "STAR" slot that gets 1.5-times the points.

Naturally, it's crucial that you choose your MVP and STAR carefully if you want to be at the top of the leaderboards when it's all said and done.

On that note, let's highlight some of the top options for today's FanDuel single-game slate.

Pitching Breakdown

After a convincing sweep over the Orioles, the Rangers will attempt to sustain their recent momentum in the opening matchup of the American League Championship series against Houston's veteran right-hander Justin Verlander.

Through 68.0 innings during his time with the Astros this regular season despite recording a 3.31 earned run average, there are several reasons to be concerned with the 40-year old's overall performance when examining several of his skill related metrics including a declining 22.3% K-rate and a 4.60 expected Fielding Independent Pitching rating (xFIP) during this time period while his current playoff form displays a similar profile with a 4.36 xFIP and a 4.23 Skill Interactive Earned Run Average.

Despite producing little success versus Verlander in the past (.273 weighted on-base average, .225 expected average in 133 at-bats), right-handed Texas bats are still in a great position to produce versus Verlander's unique reverse splits (.306 weighted on-base average, 4.64 xFIP) while their hitters from the left side rate as secondary options.

In their second opportunity against left-hander Jordan Montgomery, the Astros will try to produce a better offensive showing after he held them to just one earned run in 6.2 innings earlier this season.

When analyzing his overall strengths and weaknesses, the best way to attack Montgomery's reliance on ground-balls (43.2% percentage) and trouble versus the opposing side of the plate (4.19 xFIP, .301 wOBA) are with right-handed bats or any power hitters with the ability to hit the ball in the air.

Player Breakdown

At the Top

Corey Seager ($9,500): The Rangers' shortstop ranks as their best hitting option with a 13.3 FanDuel point projection. In his last 14 postseason at-bats, Seager has been wielding a red-hot bat, producing a .433 expected average and a 42% hard hit rate.

Yordan Alvarez ($9,000): Despite hitting from the left side, Alvarez remains a viable option at the MVP or STAR spot versus Montgomery with today's top projection at 13.5 expected FanDuel points. Houston's slugger leads his team in several categories including expected average (.299), expected weighted on-base average (.440), barrel percentage (18.0%), and expected slugging (.625).

Jose Altuve ($8,500): In his last 17 at-bats, Houston' second baseman has been making productive contact despite a low .235 average, recording a 33% hard hit rate and a .339 expected average. Altuve has historically hit well against left-handed pitching, accounting for an impressive 146 weighted runs created plus rating (wRC+, 46% above average).

In the Middle

Marcus Semien ($7,500: The Rangers' leadoff hitter is third among his team with 12.2 expected FanDuel points and fourth in value with a 1.62 rating. Semien has displayed a solid ability to make contact and consistently get on base, recording a .262 expected average and a .335 expected weighted on-base average.

Adolis Garcia ($7,500): Rating as the Rangers' second best hitter with a 12.4 fantasy projection, Garcia profiles well in this matchup with an outstanding 16.1% barrel rate, a .367 expected wOBA, and a ..523 expected slugging percentage.

Evan Carter ($7,000): The 21-year old rookie has been on fire this postseason, producing a .345 expected average and a 36% hard hit rate in 21 plate appearances.

Alex Bregman ($7,000): Despite his recent struggles in Houston's last playoff series, Bregman has provided plenty of production versus southpaws throughout his career, recording a .374 weighted on-base average and a 141 weighted runs created plus rating.

At the Bottom

Josh Jung ($6,500): After a monster series against the Orioles (.319 expected average, 60% hard hit rate), Jung has another opportunity to produce when considering his 11.9% barrel rate, .336 expected wOBA, and .256 expected average versus Verlander's reverse splits.

Chas McCormick ($6,500): Houston's outfielder could be overlooked despite ranking third among his team with a 11.0 fantasy projection and first in value (1.69). McCormick has provided sneaky pop from the right side this season, producing a 11.1% barrel rate and a .462 expected slugging percentage.

Mitch Garver ($6,000): Ranking first among his team in value with a 1.78 rating, the Rangers' catcher profiles as an ideal lower salary option especially when observing his recent hot form (.282 expected average this postseason) and ability to hit for power (12.6% barrel rate).

Jose Abreu ($6,000): The veteran first baseman has displayed an outstanding ability to hit left-handed pitching with an eye-popping .380 career wOBA and a 144 wRC+ rating in this split while also providing impressive production this postseason (.290 expected average, 3 home runs).

Jonah Heim ($5,000): Despite producing a .238 average in his last 22 plate appearances, Heim is due for some positive regression when examining his expected batting ball metrics including a 44% hard hit percentage and a .266 expected average.

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The above author is a FanDuel employee and is not eligible to compete in public daily fantasy contests or place sports betting wagers on FanDuel. The advice provided by the author does not necessarily represent the views of FanDuel. Taking the author's advice will not guarantee a successful outcome. You should use your own judgment when participating in daily fantasy contests or placing sports wagers.