This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Tuesday's MLB slate features all 30 teams, starting with an all-Chicago matinee at 2:20 PM Eastern time. All of the hitters below can be had for under $20 while each of the starting pitchers costs no more than $40. These affordable options should all outplay their modest values, making them the day's top value plays.
PITCHER
Seth Lugo, NYM at SD ($39): Lugo's not going to end up at the top of the daily leaderboard, but that doesn't mean the efficient right-hander can't significantly outperform his $39 price tag against the league's worst offense. He offers a high floor by limiting walks and home runs, as evidenced by a 2.70 BB/9 and 0.77 HR/9. That should be enough to find success given that San Diego strikes out 9.48 times per contest while scoring a MLB-low 3.79 runs per game. If the Mets' 10th-ranked offense gives him the expected support, the second-year pitcher could push his record to 5-2 for the second consecutive season by the time this one's done.
Charlie Morton, HOU at PHI ($40): Morton has a golden opportunity to shine against the team he pitched for last year. His 25.5 percent strikeout rate is leading to a career-best 9.92 K/9, and the difference in offensive ability between Houston's top-ranked lineup (5.93 runs per game) and Philadelphia's 28th-ranked unit (4.01) means Morton will likely be working with a big lead that allows him to rack up strikeouts. A win is very likely with the Astros sitting as minus-160 favorites, so Morton should have no problem outperforming a large chunk of the 13 pitchers priced at or above his price.
CATCHER
Bruce Maxwell, OAK at TOR ($8): Blue Jays spot-starter Cesar Valdez owns a 6.05 ERA and 1.55 WHIP in 19.1 innings out of the bullpen, and the right-hander's unlikely to fare any better in more extended action here. As a result, the left-handed hitting half of Oakland's catcher platoon should be in for a productive evening. The affordable Maxwell owns a .356 wOBA against righties, while Valdez has predictably struggled against batters from the left side to the tune of a .377 career wOBA allowed.
FIRST BASE
Yonder Alonso, OAK at TOR ($15): Alonso is another Oakland hitter primed to feast in this matchup against Valdez. Batting third in the order puts the first baseman in prime position to rack up both RBI in runs, while Rogers Centre's 1.05 home run park factor offers favorable conditions as he looks to build on his career high total of 21 home runs.
SECOND BASE
Ian Kinsler, DET vs. KC ($18): Kinsler has hit lefties well throughout his career, posting at least a .345 wOBA in that split every season since 2007 except for 2014. Batting leadoff for the righty-laden Tigers lineup also puts the veteran second baseman in position to tack on some runs against hittable southpaw Danny Duffy. Duffy has come close to mirroring his career splits this season, dominating lefties to the tune of a .220 wOBA allowed while surrendering a pedestrian .335 mark to batters from the right side.
THIRD BASE
Evan Longoria, TB vs. BAL ($18): Longoria has surprisingly struggled against southpaws this season, but his .371 career wOBA in that split suggests he'll turn things around before long. This date with subpar veteran Wade Miley presents a great opportunity to do so. Miley is allowing a .387 wOBA to batters from the right side, and has been tagged for at least four earned runs in seven of his past nine starts while only lasting a combined 37.2 innings over that span.
SHORTSTOP
Zack Cozart, CIN at NYY ($19): Cozart has mashed left-handed pitching like no tomorrow this season, posting a whopping .483 wOBA in 65 at-bats. Continuing that trend shouldn't be difficult against rookie southpaw Jordan Montgomery, who has scuffled of late to the tune of 14 earned runs allowed in just 19.2 innings over his past four starts. Throw in Yankee Stadium's fourth-ranked 1.15 park factor, and the All-Star shortstop is a steal at just $19.
OUTFIELD
Michael Brantley, CLE vs. LAA ($17): Brantley makes a living pummeling right-handers, as his .371 wOBA in that split has the talented outfielder over .370 for the third consecutive full season. Angels starter Jesse Chavez is well below average for a starting pitcher from that side, as evidenced by his uninspiring 4.89 ERA and 1.39 WHIP.
Josh Reddick, HOU vs. PHI ($17): Reddick probably isn't the first Astros hitter that comes to mind, but his .362 wOBA against righties and placement in the top third of the league's most dangerous batting order makes the left-handed slugger a can't-miss value at only $17. While rookie Phillies starter Nick Pivetta has good stuff, he has scuffled lately to the tune of a 7.33 ERA over 27 innings in has past five starts. There should be RBI opportunities aplenty for Reddick in this one given the talent around him.
Nick Markakis, ATL at ARI ($15): Markakis isn't a flashy option, but this is the perfect combination of opponent and location to use the veteran. Arizona starter Taijuan Walker is allowing a .333 wOBA to left-handed hitters overall, but that number jumps to .396 in 83 such at-bats at Chase Field. That rise in hitter production makes sense considering the venue's second-ranked 1.19 park factor. Given Markakis' solid .386 road wOBA against righties and spot in the heart of Atlanta's batting order, he's a sneaky good play at just $15.
