This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
After a somewhat limited six-game main slate Monday on Yahoo, things pick up Tuesday with 11 games making up the main contests. That leaves us with a bevy of options to choose from, so let's dive right in and discuss some players that stand out as viable targets for your entry.
Pitchers
The Astros might have found themselves a staple of their starting rotation for years to come in Framber Valdez ($42). He enters his matchup against the Mariners with a 3.82 ERA and an even better 3.01 FIP. He's only allowed 0.7 HR/9 and has shown an improved ability to miss bats with his 26.1 percent strikeout rate. The Mariners have the lowest OPS against left-handed pitchers (.616) in baseball, leaving Valdez with an excellent opportunity to provide another valuable stat line.
Not many teams could withstand a pitcher like David Price opting out of the season, but the Dodgers have done just that, and then some. They have exceptional depth, including Tuesday's scheduled starter Dustin May ($36). The young right-hander has a 2.68 ERA and a 1.09 WHIP, although his 4.71 FIP is less encouraging. Still, it's hard to argue against a guy that hasn't allowed more than two earned runs in any of his 10 outings. At this reasonable salary, he's at least worth considering against an A's team that is without one of their best hitters in Matt Chapman (hip).
Top Targets
The resurgence of Manny Machado ($27) is a big reason why the Padres have already punched their ticket into the playoffs. He has a career-high 11.2 percent barrel rate, which has helped him generate a .290 ISO to go along with his .402 wOBA. He's been especially hot of late, hitting 16-for-41 (.390) with four home runs and two doubles across the last 11 games. This is a favorable spot for him to keep swinging a hot bat against Griffin Canning ($30), who has a 1.39 WHIP and has allowed 1.4 HR/9.
George Springer ($23) isn't having a bad season, but his batting average has dropped nearly 40 points compared to last year. The good news is that he's actually cut down on his strikeout rate and he's also been somewhat unlucky when you consider his .238 BABIP. He has started to be more productive down the stretch, hitting 13-for-41 (.317) with six home runs across his last 10 games. He should prove to be a tough out for Ljay Newsome ($29), who enters with a bloated 6.63 FIP and 1.50 WHIP.
Bargain Bats
It's not often that J.D. Martinez ($13) has a salary this cheap. The Red Sox could ill-afford to have him struggle after trading away Mookie Betts, but he's done just that with a 73 wRC+. Normally one to make hard contact, his 40.3 percent hard-hit rate this season is eight percentage points lowed than his career mark. He has been better against left-handed pitchers (94 wRC+) this season, which should come as no surprise given that he has a career 159 wRC+ against them. With Keegan Akin ($31) on the mound for the Orioles, Martinez should at least be on your radar.
Nate Lowe ($13) had his path to playing time blocked by the Rays' excellent depth at the start of the season, but injuries have opened up an everyday role for him down the stretch. He's responded by hitting 12-for-36 (.333) with four home runs over the last 11 games. He could prove to be an excellent bargain against Seth Lugo ($41), who has allowed a .353 wOBA to left-handed hitters.
Stacks to Consider
Dodgers vs. Frankie Montas ($30), Athletics: Mookie Betts ($25), Corey Seager ($22), Cody Bellinger ($18)
It's been a disappointing season for Montas, who enters with a 4.72 FIP and a 1.53 WHIP. His lack of control has been a problem and left him with a 10.4 percent walk rate. His strikeout rate has also dropped by more than three percentage points compared to last season. That could all lead to his downfall against the Dodgers, who have one of the most potent lineups in baseball. Betts continues to lead the way with his .406 wOBA and Bellinger has rebounded from an early slump to his 12-for-37 (.324) with a home run and two doubles over his last 10 games.
Marlins vs. Bryse Wilson, Braves: Brian Anderson ($16), Garrett Cooper ($16), Starling Marte ($15)
Just when it looked like the Braves were getting some reinforcements for their rotation, Cole Hamels (shoulder) went back on the IL after making just one start. That leaves them forced to start Wilson, who has a 7.75 FIP across four relief appearances this season. The Marlins might not have a lot of sexy names in their lineup, but this matchup still makes them appealing. Cooper has been one of their best hitters during their push for a playoff spot, hitting 9-for-27 (.333) with two home runs and two doubles across the last nine games.
Braves vs. Jose Urena ($25), Marlins: Freddie Freeman ($27), Ronald Acuna Jr. ($26), Adam Duvall ($21)
Urena had problems keeping hitters off base last year, leaving him with a 1.48 WHIP. He's had similar issues this season with a 1.53 WHIP across three starts. It doesn't help his cause that he only has a 15.9 percent strikeout rate for his career. This is a great spot for the Braves to score in bunches, especially given their .885 OPS at home. Duvall has surprisingly become one of their most potent hitters, sporting a .366 wOBA and a .329 ISO.
