FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball NLCS Helper: Phillies at Diamondbacks, Game 5

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 an exciting comeback victory last night, the surging Diamondbacks will attempt to take a series lead at home against Philadelphia's right-hander Zack Wheeler.

Through 19.0 playoff innings this season, Wheeler has pitched extremely well in three starts, accounting for an impressive 1.98 expected Fielding Independent Pitching rating (xFIP) and a 37.7% K-rate while his career playoff resume reinforces his recent positive performances with a 3.04 xFIP and a 28.9% strikeout percentage in 54.2 total innings.

While Wheeler did a good job versus the Diamondbacks in Game 1 by allowing only one earned run in 6.1 innings, fly-ball hitters from the left side of the plate can still provide some trouble versus Wheeler's pitching profile (50.0% ground ball percentage this postseason) and his glaring splits against left-handed hitters (.311 weighted on-base average, 4.29 xFIP).

In a potential rebound opportunity after blowing two late leads in Game 3 and 4, the Phillies will try to get on track versus Zac Gallen and his troubling 5.18 xFIP during his first postseason.

When observing Gallen's main weakness versus the left side of the plate (.302 expected wOBA, 17.7% home run to fly ball ratio) and his high ground ball percentage (41.8%), Philadelphia's left-handed hitters are a priority while right-handed fly-ball batters can still be utilized to counter Gallen's ability to keep the ball on the ground.

Player Breakdown

At the Top

Bryce Harper ($9,500): Philadelphia's star rates as their most complete hitter, leading his team in expected average (.287), expected weighted on-base average (.397), and expected slugging (.522). In his last 12 at-bats despite producing a middling .250 batting average, Harper is due for positive regression when examining his .345 expected average and 56% hard hit rate.

Kyle Schwarber ($9,000): Wielding a red-hot bat after hitting three home runs this series, Schwarber ranks second among today's hitting options with a 12.7 fantasy projection. The 30-year old is producing ridiculous numbers in his last 10 at-bats, accounting for a .351 expected average and an eye-popping 86% hard hit rate.

Trea Turner ($8,500): The Phillies' shortstop has been in a groove during the National League Championship, producing a sizzling .410 expected average and a 67% hard hit rate. Turner rates as today's top hitting option with a 12.9 fantasy projection versus Gallen's main weakness against right-handed batters.

In the Middle

Corbin Carroll ($8,000): Despite recording a poor 0.067 batting average in his last 15 at-bats, Carroll is due for a change in luck when analyzing his expected metrics including a .252 expected average. Arizona's rookie ranks second among his team with a 10.2 fantasy projection versus Wheeler's top weakness versus left-handed hitters.

Ketel Marte ($7,500): Arizona's second baseman has arguably been their best hitter this postseason, accounting for a .327 expected average, six extra base hits, and a 59% hard hit rate. Marte has some historical success versus Wheeler, recording a .296 expected average and two extra base hits in 13 career at-bats.

J.T. Realmuto ($7,000): Philadelphia's veteran catcher rates as an underrated option, ranking fourth among his team with a 10.2 fantasy projection and fifth in value (1.46). Realmuto has produced solid batted ball metrics this postseason, accounting for a .265 expected average and a 44% hard rate in 37 at-bats.

At the Bottom

Alec Bohm ($6,000): Ranking third overall in value with a 1.59 rating, the Phillies' third baseman rates an optimal value option with his recent solid form this series including a .282 expected average and a 36% hard hit rate.

Tommy Pham ($5,500): Despite his struggles during the National League Championship, Pham is today's top value option with a 1.89 rating and a 10.4 fantasy projection. The veteran leads his team in several hitting metrics this season including expected average (.282), expected weighted on-base average (.361), and expected slugging (.472).

Gabriel Moreno ($5,500): In his first postseason, Arizona's young catcher has not been afraid of the pressure on baseball's biggest stage, accounting for a .250 expected average, 3 home runs, and a 38% hard hit rate.

Alek Thomas ($5,000): After hitting a game-tying 3-run homer in the eighth inning last night, the Diamondbacks' Game 4 hero ranks second on his team in value with a 1.5 rating and a 7.5 fantasy projection. The 23-year old has provided underrated pop in 23 postseason at-bats, producing three home runs.

Looking to build some MLB DFS lineups? Check out FanDuel’s daily fantasy baseball lobby to see all the offerings for today’s slates.

Sign up for FanDuel Sportsbook and FanDuel Daily Fantasy today!

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.