Prime-Time First TD Bets — Sunday Night Football, Week 16
Alex Christenson
After the weirdest MLB season on record, we have finally made it to the World Series. Daily fantasy baseball comes along with it, and we’ll be breaking down the day’s DFS slate for each game of the Fall Classic. Now, with postseason, that brings smaller tournaments and smaller slates. More game theory will come into play. But with baseball being a very high-variance sport, most times you’ll find my plays to tend toward the contrarian, hence the article’s name.
Going with a contrarian lineup strategy especially in showdown slates is a high-risk endeavor in fantasy sports, but with the potential for a high reward attached to it at the same time. When it hits, it can be the way to big success, because (obviously) not many DFS players will be on those options, making it easier to differentiate yourself and your plays.
(All pricing refers to DraftKings.)
Captain options
Randy Arozarena ($14,700)
I love this spot for Arozarena hitting in the two hole while against Julio Urías, who has given up a .247 average and just an 18% strikeout rate against right-handed batters.
Will Smith, $12,300
I’m going back to Smith Saturday, after it was LA’s other catcher, Austin Barnes, who homered Friday. Smith hit left-handed pitching in 2020 to a .294 average.
Manuel Margot ($10,200)
Tampa moved Margot up to the cleanup spot Saturday, which is huge for him and actually the first time he’s hit there all season.
Utility options
Yandy Díaz ($4,800, hitting 1st)
AJ Pollock ($7,200, hitting 7th)
Justin Turner ($8,600, hitting 3rd)
Mike Zunino ($6,600, hitting 8th)
