This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Saturday's slate almost feels like Opening Day with all of the aces on the mound, but that doesn't leave much room for hitting. I found a cheaper arm to use if you're looking for a more reasonable lineup that doesn't involve either Max Scherzer ($62) and Corey Kluber ($61).
PITCHER
Blake Snell, TB at NYM ($55): On another slate, Snell may be the most expensive pitcher. But for this one, he's the fourth highest and still a great play coming off back-to-back dominant performances over Houston and Washington (14.1 IP, one ER, 20 K). Snell has a good chance to hit 30 fantasy points against the Mets, who have a high K% (24.6) and subpar .297 wOBA against southpaws since the beginning of June.
Steven Matz, NYM vs. TB ($38): There aren't many cheaper pitchers to use, but Matz at least has a decent matchup and has hit 21 fantasy points in three of his last four starts – two things most pitchers in his price range don't have. The Rays haven't shown much against lefties in the last month with a 23.7 K%, .128 ISO and .295 wOBA.
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CATCHER
Manny Pina, MIL vs. ATL ($12): For a cheap catcher, Pina has shown some power with five HRs and has had decent success against righties with a .328 wOBA during his career. Against Anibal Sanchez, that could be enough because you never know what the righty hurler will do. Sanchez has given up nine runs in his last three outings and sports a 4.46 xFIP against righties, which is where that number was in 2017 at 4.37.
FIRST BASE
John Hicks, DET vs. TEX ($14): The Tigers have hit southpaws well all season and Hicks is part of that with a .406 BABIP and career .197 ISO. That could lead to more struggles for Cole Hamels after getting roped for 18 hits and 11 runs in his last two starts against the Padres and White Sox.
SECOND BASE
Alen Hanson, SF vs. STL ($11): Hanson's price is down even after homering on Thursday. He's only viable in fantasy against righties and that's good enough with 18 extra-base hits – including 6 HR – in 92 at-bats. Carlos Martinez is coming off back-to-back wins, yet still only made it six innings in each of those starts. He has struggled with a 5.21 xFIP against lefty bats and that number was at 4.22 last year.
THIRD BASE
Travis Shaw, MIL vs. ATL ($14): Shaw has hit all 15 of his homers against righties and that's where he's experienced most of his success in MLB with a career .351 wOBA. Sanchez has been fine for the Braves this season, but only a year ago maintained a 1.80 HR/9 and 4.43 xFIP against lefty bats.
SHORTSTOP
Jurickson Profar, TEX at DET ($16): Profar is on a nice run with 10 hits in his last six games and that's worth building off against an inconsistent Mike Fiers. The righty hurler has impressed at times this season, but a 1.84 HR/9 and 4.81 xFIP against lefty bats remains an issue.
OUTFIELD
Nick Castellanos, DET vs. TEX ($20): Castellanos has turned into Detroit's best bat this season and he's best against lefties with five homers and a .500 BABIP. Hamels is in a bit of a funk and has slumped to a brutal 1.95 HR/9 against righties after a 5.01 xFIP last season.
Nick Williams, PHI at PIT ($15): Williams is often worth a shot as a cheaper outfielder that can go deep. All of his power has come against righties with nine homers and a career .343 wOBA. That fits nicely against Jameson Taillon, who has a 4.61 xFIP against lefties.
Tony Kemp, HOU vs. CWS ($11): Kemp is worth a shot as long as he starts and most lineups will need at least one value outfielder due to the studs on the mound. Kemp sports a solid .351 wOBA against righties in 91 plate appearances and posted a .360 BABIP in June. James Shields hasn't been as bad as his 3-9 record, but it's not like he's cruising through lineups with a 5.24 xFIP against lefties.
