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The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue with Game 1 of the Divisional Series, giving us more daily action to target for daily fantasy contests. We’re going to be using DraftKings pricing to build the best lineups to try to cash in on a large-field tournament. Don’t forget to check out our MLB daily trends page for game odds, data, and insights.
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Up to $1,500 in Bonus Bets if Your First Bet Doesn't Win*
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On the Saturday slate, we’ve got no shortage of action with four games on tap, including the White Sox-Guardians, Braves-Dodgers, Yankees-Rays, and Padres-Brewers. With that in mind, let’s dive into my best DFS picks for Game 1 of the Divisional Series of the 2026 MLB Playoffs.
MLB Playoffs DFS Picks
| Pos | Player | Opp | FPPG | Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| P |  Drew Rasmussen |
NYY @ TB | 20.0 | $8,800 |
| P |  Parker Messick |
CWS @ CLE | 19.6 | $8,500 |
| C |  Liam Hicks |
NYY @ TB | 7.2 | $3,700 |
| 1B |  Shohei Ohtani |
ATL @ LAD | 9.5 | $6,500 |
| 2B |  Travis Bazzana |
CWS @ CLE | 7.6 | $3,600 |
| 3B |  Jose Ramirez |
CWS @ CLE | 8.2 | $4,800 |
| SS |  George Lombard Jr. |
NYY @ TB | 7.1 | $2,700 |
| OF |  Kyle Tucker |
ATL @ LAD | 7.2 | $4,700 |
| OF |  Jo Adell |
CWS @ CLE | 7.0 | $3,400 |
| OF |  Steven Kwan |
CWS @ CLE | 6.5 | $3,300 |
Drew Rasmussen – TB/SP ($8,800)
Instead of paying a premium for aces like Jacob Misiorowski and Tarik Skubal, I’m going down a tier to save some salary to splurge on star bats, starting with Drew Rasmussen.
Rasmussen had an excellent season, putting up a 2.67 ERA and a 0.91 WHIP in 172 innings. When he faced the Yankees on September 22nd, he had 11 strikeouts with one earned run allowed in 6.2 innings.
Parker Messick – CLE/SP ($8,500)
My other Tier 2 SP choice is Parker Messick, who was phenomenal as a rookie for the Guardians, putting up a 2.55 ERA and a 1.04 WHIP in 183.1 innings.
Messick has shown a high ceiling against the White Sox, putting up eight strikeouts in each of his last two outings against them. He’s a fantastic value at $8,500.
Liam Hicks – TB/C ($3,700)
Since being traded to the Rays, Liam Hicks has put up a 130 wRC+ with four home runs in 145 plate appearances. He has two hits in each of his last two games, so he’s coming in at good form.
It’s also worth noting that Hicks is entrenched in the heart of the Rays’ order, hitting mostly in the cleanup spot. This puts him in a great position to rack up counting stats.
Shohei Ohtani – LAD/1B ($6,500)
Shohei Ohtani starts off my Dodgers stack. It was a down year at the plate for him by his standards, as he had only 30 home runs in 618 plate appearances.
But I like the spot at home with the Braves likely going with a bullpen game. Atlanta is a bit gassed following a dramatic three-game wild card series against the Phillies.
Travis Bazzana – CLE/2B ($3,600)
Travis Bazzana had a respectable rookie season, putting up a 110 wRC+ with 15 home runs and 19 stolen bases. He’s entrenched in the heart of the Guardians’ order, ranging from the No. 3 to No. 5 hole.
Given that favorable spot for counting stats, Bazzana makes a lot of sense at an appealing $3,600 price as we build out our Guardians stack. Hagen Smith and the White Sox bullpen have been good, but it’s one of the easier matchups on the slate.
Jose Ramirez – CLE/3B ($4,800)
Jose Ramirez had a disappointing season, slashing .235/.320/.368 with 12 home runs and 37 stolen bases in 544 plate appearances. However, he was heating up at the end of the year, putting up five two-hit games in his last nine.
As the No. 2 hitter for the Guardians, Ramirez pairs nicely with Bazzana as we try to target the White Sox bullpen.
George Lombard Jr. – NYY/SS ($2,700)
We’re not stacking any Yankees against our pitcher Drew Rasmussen, but given our need to save salary to jam in high-priced Dodgers hitters, George Lombard Jr. makes a lot of sense as a punt play at $2,700.
He came into the playoffs homering four times in his last eight games. He’s also gone 4-for-8 with three runs and one RBI in the playoffs so far.
Kyle Tucker – LAD/OF ($4,700)
Kyle Tucker was a massive disappointment in his debut season with the Dodgers, slashing .233/.320/.385 with 17 home runs and 12 stolen bases in 627 plate appearances.
However, he had a bit of a power surge in September, homering six times. Perhaps he can find his groove in the playoffs. He’s been hitting in the No. 4 or No. 5 spot down the stretch, making him a nice pairing with Ohtani.
Jo Adell – CLE/OF ($3,400)
Jo Adell turned out to be a nice addition for the Guardians at the deadline, putting up a 107 wRC+ with seven home runs in 204 plate appearances. He’s quite affordable at $3,400, and he comes into the playoffs going 4-for-14 with one home run in his last three games.
Adell usually hits in the No. 3 or No. 4 spot, making him a great addition to my Guardians stack with Bazzana and Ramirez.
Steven Kwan – CLE/OF ($3,300)
We finish off our Guardians stack with Steven Kwan, who slashed .282/.382/.349 with three home runs in 637 plate appearances. this season. You have to like the 80 runs and 10 steals that he can pitch in.
Kwan comes into the postseason in top form, putting up four multi-hit games in his last seven. He’s locked into the leadoff spot, making him a nice finish to our Guardians stack with Bazzana, Ramirez, and Adell.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
