What It Means:

Rivera is entering the lineup for the first time this postseason while lefty-hitting Alek Thomas takes a seat against a southpaw. Evan Longoria will shift to designated hitter and Tommy Pham will start in the outfield.

numberFire’s models project Rivera ($2,200) for 7.1 FanDuel points on Thursday. Per our MLB Heat Map, the Diamondbacks have the lowest implied total today (4.33) and the game total is 9.0. Suarez has allowed just 13 hits and 4 runs, while recording 19 strikeouts, across 23 1/3 innings in seven playoff games the past two seasons. In the last round against the Atlanta Braves, the lefty threw 8 2/3 innings of one-run ball over two starts.