This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
It's a full day of baseball and there are plenty of valuable pitchers to use if you're not willing to back Justin Verlander against the Yankees or Jacob deGrom against the Braves. I took the cheaper route in my infield to go with some bigger bats in the outfield for Memorial Day.
PITCHER
Gio Gonzalez, WAS at BAL ($47): Gonzalez is often one of my favorite picks because he doesn't cost an overwhelming amount and always puts in a good performance. He's hit 24 fantasy points in his last four starts and has allowed only four runs in that time. The Orioles haven't hit well most of the season and sport iffy numbers across the board against southpaws with a 23.4 K% and .307 wOBA.
Caleb Smith, MIA at SD ($36): There were a few routes to go for a cheaper pitcher, but Smith has a great matchup and tons of upside. He's had seven strikeouts and 31 fantasy points in four of his last six starts and this could be another one against the Padres, which own an extremely high 25.8 K% against lefties.
CATCHER
Alex Avila, ARI vs. CIN ($7): I'm rolling with any Diamondbacks catcher, but have to go with Avila only because a righty is on the mound. Jeff Mathis ($7) and John Ryan Murphy ($10) could start, as well. This is mainly a play against Homer Bailey, who has given up 10 hits in each of his last three starts and three runs in all but two outings this year. He hasn't been good against either side of the plate with 13 home runs allowed.
FIRST BASE
Paul Goldschmidt, ARI vs. CIN ($13): Goldschmidt hasn't done much this season, but it's hard not to go grab him at this price. He still managed a .261 ISO and .398 wOBA against righties last year and that should work against Bailey. The righty hurler hasn't looked much better in 2018 than 2017, a year after a miserable .394 wOBA and 4.26 xFIP against righty bats.
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve, HOU at NYY ($16): Since Altuve's price dropped, he's been dominant with 10 hits over three games. He still comes at a nice price considering his .403 BABIP against righties this season, which is actually better than where he was in 2017 when he had a .403 wOBA. Domingo German was blown up in his last two starts giving up 12 runs and may have trouble against this deep Astros lineup.
THIRD BASE
Jeimer Candelario, DET vs. LAA ($13): Candelario is back from injury and appears fine after his two-homer game. He has seven extra-base hits (3 HR) in only 45 at-bats against southpaws this year and is worth a try against Tyler Skaggs, who has shown limited upside in terms of strikeouts and how far he can pitch. It doesn't help Skaggs that his numbers against righty bats are still shady after 2017's 4.51 xFIP.
SHORTSTOP
Jose Peraza, CIN at ARI ($10): There aren't many places to turn for a cheaper shortstop, but Peraza has a decent matchup. Matt Koch has rarely put together two consistent outings this season and has had issues against righties in his short career with a 5.34 xFIP against 123 faced. Peraza has at least been able to get on base against righty arms in his career with a .302 BABIP.
OUTFIELD
Mitch Haniger, SEA vs. TEX ($18): I'd throw more Mariners into my lineup against Doug Fister, but their bats have struggled as of late. Haniger already has nine homers against righties to go with a career .221 ISO against them. Fister has been all over the place this year with a 4.22 ERA and smaller 16.5 K% against righty bats.
Andrew Benintendi, BOS vs. TOR ($22): It makes sense to use at least one Red Sox player against a guy that hasn't made it past five innings in any of his last four starts. Benintendi should get the job done with 19 of his 44 hits against righties going for extra bases. Aaron Sanchez struggles against lefty bats with a 12.9 K%, pushing his career xFIP to 4.69.
Gorkys Hernandez, SF at COL ($13): Hernandez is on a roll with multiple hits in the last four games, pushing his BABIP up to .390 against righties. As a value play at Coors Field, that should be enough against Chad Bettis, who gave up 10 hits and seven runs the last time he was at home. Bettis also has worse numbers against righties with a career .363 wOBA.
