This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Tuesday's MLB slate features all 30 teams and begins at 7:05 PM Eastern time. A couple of inexpensive lefties stand out as strong values on the mound, leaving plenty of money to load up at other positions. For those interested, we've started an MLB DFS slack channel for paid RotoWire subscribers. (There is a season-long one as well). To join those channels, e-mail support@rotowire.com.
PITCHER
Caleb Smith, MIA at NYM ($33): Smith hasn't gotten much fanfare down in Miami, but the young southpaw is in the midst of an excellent campaign. Nine starts in, his FIP stands at a tidy 3.30 while his strikeout rate is an astronomical 31.5 percent. Maintaining that early success shouldn't be difficult against a Mets team that's stumbled following a hot start to the season. New York's offense is down to 18th at 4.24 runs per game, and the Mets have been even worse in Citi Field with a meager average of 3.95 runs per game at home.
Matt Boyd, DET at MIN ($35): Boyd's another affordable southpaw off to a strong start this season. He's recorded six quality starts in eight tries while nearly matching his 3.19 ERA with a 3.24 FIP. Boyd also has 27 strikeouts in 25 innings over his past four outings, so outplaying a $35 valuation should be easy for him against a Twins offense that ranks 19th at 4.21 runs per game while striking out more frequently than average with 8.88 per contest.
CATCHER
Chance Sisco, BAL at CWS ($8): Sisco is a promising young slugger from the left side, having generated a .341 wOBA against right-handed pitching so far in his brief major-league career. That number could well rise by the time he's through with James Shields, who's been victimized by plenty of left-handed hitters in recent years. While he's off to a better start this season, Shields surrendered a wOBA of .370 or higher in that split over each of the previous three campaigns.
FIRST BASE
Jesus Aguilar, MIL vs. ARI ($18): Arizona starter Matt Koch has struggled in righty-on righty matchups more so than against left-handed batters. After allowing eight earned runs over 4.1 innings during his last start, Koch's now giving up a .410 wOBA to batters from the right side this season. Over his career, he's surrendering a .354 mark in that split compared to only a .268 wOBA to lefties. Aguilar's .410 wOBA in righty-on-righty situations this season suggests he's primed to capitalize on this favorable matchup.
SECOND BASE
Jose Altuve, HOU vs. SF ($19): Altuve will often come in above $19, so he's a bargain at that price against rookie Giants lefty Andrew Suarez. Suarez is allowing a .426 wOBA to batters from the right side through five starts while Altuve has a .382 career wOBA in that split.
THIRD BASE
Anthony Rendon, WAS vs. SD ($20): Rendon's in the midst of a third consecutive campaign with a wOBA of at least .355 against left-handed pitching, including a .461 mark last season. His excellent track record in this split has Rendon in position to succeed against struggling rookie Eric Lauer, who has surrendered a .473 wOBA to batters from the right side through five career starts.
SHORTSTOP
Carlos Correa, HOU vs. SF ($20): Middle infielders don't typically carry fantasy lineups, but Houston's pairing of Altuve and Correa is an exception to that rule, especially against vulnerable left-handed pitching. Suarez's struggles against right-handed sluggers have already been documented, and Correa's far from your typical such slugger given his .383 season wOBA against southpaws and .371 career mark.
OUTFIELD
Michael Taylor, WAS vs. SD ($15): Taylor has been slumping recently, but being a right-handed hitter and batting above the bottom third of the order is enough to make him a nice value at $15 given Lauer's aforementioned struggles. Judging by last year's .356 wOBA against lefties, Taylor's been no slouch against southpaws far tougher than Lauer.
Corey Dickerson, PIT at CIN ($18): Dickerson has been a solid addition to the heart of Pittsburgh's batting order, and the left-handed slugger is primed for a big game against former Mets starter Matt Harvey. Harvey has had major issues against hitters from the left side, allowing a .398 wOBA in that split this season after giving up a .426 mark in 2017. In addition to Dickerson, $16 Pirates outfielder Austin Meadows is also a strong choice here given his hot start since being promoted to the majors.
Giancarlo Stanton, NYY at TEX ($23): Stanton's a can't-miss option whenever the Yankees face left-handed pitching, as illustrated by his .589 wOBA over 45 at-bats in that split this season. Globe Life Park in Arlington offers hitter-friendly conditions similar to Yankee Stadium and Rangers starter Cole Hamels has a 4.63 ERA at home after posting a 4.35 mark there last season, so it wouldn't be surprising to see Stanton maintain his otherworldly form against southpaws here.
