This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Pitcher
Trevor Bauer, CLE vs. MIN ($34): The third and fourth priced pitchers have relatively unappealing matchups, which is likely going to lead to high ownership for both Stephen Strasburg and Chris Archer. As such, I'll offer two options here to help balance out your pitching budget. Bauer has been marginally better in June, owning a 4.08 ERA against his 5.54 season total. It's come as he's pitched to more contact, as his strikeout rate is down to 20.8 percent (27.6 on the year), which may limit his upside against the Twins, a team he limited to two runs and four hits over seven innings in his last start, while striking out eight. He owns a .238 BAA and .702 OPS against current Twins across 210 at bats.
Seth Lugo, NYM at SF ($37): It may be tough to pass on Felix Hernandez's high ceiling and discounted price due to matchup and his return to injury, but he hasn't faired well against the Astros in recent years. Enter Lugo, who has allowed only four runs in his first 13.2 innings after posting a 2.67 ERA over 64.0 frames last year. He doesn't have high strikeout upside with just a 17.6 percent fan rate, but the Giants' offense ranks last against righties with only a .289 wOBA, 79 wRC+ and .134 ISO, suggesting a safe floor for your second pitcher.
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Catcher
Jonathan Lucroy, TEX at NYY ($13): Lucroy sat out Thursday, which is always the first thing I look for with a catcher as he seems safe to pencil in for a start. He's had a disappointing year, but his splits have been better on the road, with his .354 wOBA and 117 wRC+ against righties away from Arlington being his best totals of the four options. Yankees starter Masahiro Tanaka has sprinkled in two decent starts over his last five outings but still is allowing righties to post a .416 wOBA and 1.012 OPS at home, where he owns a 5.88 ERA.
First Base
Eric Thames, MIL at ATL ($17): Braves' starter Mike Foltynewicz has been vulnerable to lefties, allowing .402 wOBA and .941 OPS to them. Fourteen of Thames' 20 homers have come off of righties, against whom he owns a .409 wOBA, .325 ISO and 150 wRC+.
Second Base
Jose Altuve, HOU at SEA ($21): It's certainly tough to pay up for the top-priced option at the keystone, but Altuve looks likely to make good on that tag. He owns a .386 wOBA, 145 wRC+ and .907 OPS against right-handers, and has reached base 16 times in 29 plate appearances against Felix Hernandez, owning a 1.206 OPS in the process. Hernandez allowed nine runs and 19 hits over 10 innings against Houston a year ago. If Altuve is too rich for your blood, keep an eye on the availability of Justin Turner. Should he not suit up, Logan Forsythe at $9 would be enticing.
Third Base
Jose Ramirez, CLE vs. MIN ($22): Entering Thursday, there may not have been a hotter hitter than Ramirez, who had nine-straight multi-hit games, going 23-for-42 (.548) over that span. That includes going 2-for-5 with a double against Twins' starter Adalberto Mejia, who is allowing righties to post a .369 wOBA against him. Ramirez has shown better power from the left-hand side, so his upside is not as high as it can be, but given his current form and .353 wOBA and 119 wRC+ against lefties, he appears to be a safe bet.
Shortstop
Corey Seager, LAD vs. COL ($21): The price structure has gotten a little challenging, as four players all share a top price at this position and nine are at $17 or more. As a result, a stars and scrubs lineup may be the way to go. The Dodgers have feasted on left-handed pitchers and have been too hot as a unit to not own at least a share. Six Dodgers with at least 40 at bats own wOBAs north of .390 against southpaws, with Seager checking in at .394 with a 148 wRC+ and .237 ISO. Rockies starter Kyle Freeland has allowed a .420 wOBA to lefties on the road.
Outfield
Bryce Harper, WAS vs. CIN ($19): I thought the price here was a misprint. This doesn't require much analysis; when you can get someone as good as Harper for $7 less than the highest priced option, you jump at the chance. And his price is obviously down due to a relatively slow June. But Harper still owns a .475 wOBA, 196 wRC+, .379 ISO and 1.191 OPS at home against righties.
Howie Kendrick, PHI at ARI ($16): Kendrick has feasted on lefties this season, and has been even better against them on the road, to the tune of a .426 wOBA and 165 wRC+. D'Backs starter Patrick Corbin has been very generous this year, owning a 5.19 ERA and allowing a .377 wOBA to opposite-handed bats, but he limited the Phillies to two runs over six innings in his last appearance, and the Phillies offense has little punch, making a stack very difficult. Kendrick entered Thursday with four-straight multi-hit games and allows for a modest buy in against Corbin.
Jon Jay, CHC at MIA ($9): With Jason Heyward landing on the DL and Kyle Schwarber being demoted, Jay should see steadier playing time for the immediate future and offers playing time at a discounted rate. Though he offers next to no power upside, Jay brings a serviceable .347 wOBA and 113 wRC+ into a matchup against Jose Urena, who's been unusually tough on lefties (.256 wOBA) but was more vulnerable a season ago (.358 wOBA).
