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The 2026 MLB Playoffs continue with Game 2 Wild Card round, 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 Wednesday slate, we’ve got no shortage of action with four games on tap, including the Phillies-Braves, White Sox-Astros, Red Sox-Yankees, and Cubs-Padres. With that in mind, let’s dive into my best DFS picks for Game 2 of the Wild Card round of the 2026 MLB Playoffs.
MLB Playoffs DFS Picks
Nick Pivetta – SDP/SP ($7,500)
Nick Pivetta looks like a terrific value at $7,500. The veteran right-hander has been rock-solid for the Padres since returning from injury in September. In four starts, he’s allowed a combined three runs with two walks and 18 strikeouts in 18.2 innings.
While he won’t pitch more than five innings, there’s a good chance that we get a quality outing with 5+ strikeouts.
Tyler Mahle – ATL/SP ($6,500)
Tyler Mahle is a sneaky play, especially when you consider his appealing $6,500 price. He provides salary relief, allowing you to lock in some high-priced hitters who are swinging hot bats.
Mahle put up an impressive 1.99 ERA in 54.1 innings with the Braves.
Ben Rice – NYY/C ($5,100)
Ben Rice absolutely exploded this season, and he’s carried that over into the playoffs, hitting a grand slam against the Red Sox in Game 1.
Having the ability to lock in a 40-home-run hitter at catcher is hard to pass up.
Munetaka Murakami – CWS/1B ($5,400)
Munetaka Murakami is a streaky hitter who found his groove heading into the postseason. We saw him homer three times in six games coming into the playoffs.
In the Game 1 win against the Astros, Murakami went 1-for-3 with two runs and a walk. It wouldn’t surprise me to see him go yard against Hunter Brown, who has been inconsistent this season.
Jazz Chisholm Jr. – NYY/2B ($4,300)
Jazz Chisholm Jr. had 19 home runs and 41 stolen bases this season, so there’s a lot to like here. We saw him have the night off with a lefty in Payton Tolle on the mound for Game 1.
I’m betting that Jazz is an x-factor in Game 2 against a right-hander in Sonny Gray. He can be another key piece to my Yankees stack in this spot.
Manny Machado – SD/3B ($4,900)
I’ll add Manny Machado, who is swinging a hot bat right now. We saw him homer twice in five games coming into the playoffs. He followed that up with a home run in the Game 1 win over the Cubs.
The Cubs are expected to turn to Kevin Gausman in Game 2. The veteran righty has had issues with the long ball, allowing a 1.32 HR/9, so this is an exploitable spot.
George Lombard – NYY/SS ($2,700)
George Lombard is a talented rookie who provides salary relief, allowing me to jam in sluggers like Ben Rice, Munetaka Murakami, and Kyle Schwarber.
He came into the playoffs hitting safely in five of his last six games. In Game 1 vs the Red Sox, Lombard went 3-for-4 with two runs, so he’s in top form right now.
Kyle Schwarber – PHI/OF ($5,200)
With the Phillies facing elimination, I’m jamming in their best hitter in Kyle Schwarber. The veteran slugger homered 45 times this season.
We saw Schwarber go 1-for-3 with one run in Game 1. Facing Tyler Mahle, who put up a 1.21 HR/9 this year, there’s a chance that he can get into one for a homer in this spot.
Jackson Merrill – SD/OF ($4,400)
Jackson Merrill was phenomenal in the second half of the year, slashing .304/.339/.569 with 16 home runs and eight stolen bases.
He makes for a nice pairing with Manny Machado, since they are only two spots away from each other in the lineup. Merrill is a cost-effective alternative to Fernando Tatis Jr. if you’re looking to get to a Padres’ outfielder.
Trent Grisham – NYY/OF ($3,700)
Trent Grisham was merely a defensive replacement in Game 1, riding the pine with a lefty in Payton Tolle on the mound, but I like firing him up a $3.7K with a right-hander in Sonny Gray on the mound.
We’ve seen him put up a .189 ISO against righties (.164 ISO vs. lefties.) He often hits leadoff vs. righties, putting him in a good spot to rack up runs, which is why he’s a logical pairing with Ben Rice.
Photo Credit: REUTERS
