FanDuel Daily Fantasy Baseball World Series Helper: Rangers at Diamondbacks, Game 3

With the World Series split at one game apiece, we head to Arizona for Game 3.

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 twice 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

The Texas Rangers may have the bigger name taking the mound tonight in Max Scherzer, but it could actually be rookie Brandon Pfaadt and the Arizona Diamondbacks who have the pitching advantage.

The Diamondbacks have adopted a pretty strict strategy of limiting Pfaadt to face opposing lineups just twice through the order, and it's hard to argue with the results. Through four postseason outings, the righty has amassed a 2.50 SIERA, 33.3% strikeout rate, and 4.5% walk rate, building off the strides he made in the second half of the regular season.

On the other hand, following a lengthy stint on the IL, Scherzer hasn't looked like himself in his two playoff starts, allowing seven earned runs in just 6 2/3 innings with a 19.4% strikeout rate and 9.7% walk rate. Texas is clearly hoping that they get something closer to the guy who produced a 3.77 SIERA and 28.0% strikeout rate this year.

Due to Pfaadt's typically short starts and Scherzer's struggles, neither player is expected to generate a ton of punchouts, per the MLB odds on FanDuel Sportsbook. Both players' K props are set at 4.5 tonight.

Slate Strategy

While it's always possible Scherzer finally finds his form with some reps under his belt, this sure looks like a spot to back Arizona's bats.

Even when Mad Max was far more successful during the regular season, he struggled with home runs and wasn't as effective versus lefties (4.53 xFIP). This sets up nicely for star players Corbin Carroll ($8,500) and Ketel Marte ($7,500) as MVP/STAR candidates. Carroll brings tantalizing stolen-base upside while Marte has enjoyed a record-breaking postseason hit streak.

Both of the dingers Scherzer has allowed in the playoffs have come off right-handed batters, though, so Christian Walker ($7,500) should also be in the multiplier slot mix. Despite his fairly quiet postseason, Walker's recorded a 50.0% hard-hit rate and 18.8% barrel rate. He and Marte have the game's fifth- and sixth-best home run odds.

Beyond this trio, everyone else in the Arizona lineup comes in at mid-to-low salaries. Gabriel Moreno ($5,500) continues to be an obvious value play as the number-three hitter. Moreno, Tommy Pham ($6,000), and Lourdes Gurriel ($6,500) all have hard-hit rates above 42% in the playoffs. Evan Longoria ($4,500) has practically the same home run odds as Carroll and has the lowest salary of any projected starter tonight.

On the Rangers' side, I'm guessing Adolis Garcia ($9,500) and Corey Seager ($9,000) continue to be the most popular MVP/STAR options despite the matchup. For all his recent success, Pfaadt is still a rookie who gives up a lot of fly balls, so things could still go south in a hurry against this potent lineup.

Predictably, Garcia and Seager have the shortest odds to hit a home run, and Mitch Garver ($7,000) and Marcus Semien ($7,000) aren't far behind them. Garver has slugged a home run in two of the last four games, so he shouldn't be overlooked as a contrarian MVP/STAR. Semien continues to be purely a bet-on-talent play as his postseason struggles continue.

Evan Carter ($8,000) is among the longer odds to hit a round-tripper, but he continues to be productive, logging at least one hit in all but one game in the playoffs. He'll have a good opportunity to produce fantasy points as long as he's batting third.

Nathaniel Lowe ($6,500) has the team's third-best playoff barrel rate (17.1%) behind Seager (25.0%) and Garcia (23.8%) while Josh Jung ($6,000) has the third-best hard-hit rate (48.7%). Jonah Heim ($5,500) is a solid value play as the projected number-six hitter.

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.