This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Sunday's MLB slate contains 16 games, including a doubleheader between the Rockies and Nationals in Washington. The players below aren't necessary the biggest names at their respective positions, but each offers strong bang for the buck. Playing them allows owners to form a solid base while maintaining financial flexibility for the rest of this 1:05 p.m. EDT all-day slate.
PITCHER
Cesar Valdez, TOR vs. LAA ($29): Valdez took advantage of a favorable matchup last time out, scoring 22.6 fantasy points against the Athletics in a strong fill-in performance for Aaron Sanchez (blister). The Angels' 29th-ranked .698 team OPS is substantially lower than Oakland's .726 mark, so Valdez is in position for a second consecutive productive start. At just $4 above the starting pitcher minimum, the righty's worth a look for those looking to spend big elsewhere after showing good stamina by working into the seventh inning Tuesday.
Taijuan Walker, ARI at STL ($37): Walker has been much better away from the hitter-friendly confines of Chase Field, posting a 2.70 ERA while allowing just three home runs in 43.1 innings on the road. Busch Stadium's 28th-ranked 0.86 park factor compares very favorably to his home park's second-ranked 1.24 mark, so Walker will have the environment he needs to hold the Cardinals at bay. With a 21.2 percent strikeout rate, the right-hander is also able to contribute points through missing bats, making him an excellent value as the slate's 12th-most expensive pitcher.
CATCHER
Buster Posey, SF at LAD ($16): The Giants as a whole have been ineffective at the plate, but Posey has been immune to those struggles. The surprisingly affordable catcher is in the midst of his finest season since 2012 thanks in large part to a monstrous .458 wOBA against southpaws. Hyun-Jin Ryu's 4.17 ERA and 1.42 WHIP suggest he doesn't have the ability to slow Posey down.
FIRST BASE
Edwin Encarnacion, CLE at CWS ($19): Encarnacion has been successful against lefties throughout his career, so this year's .384 wOBA in that split comes as no surprise. That number is likely to get even higher against struggling southpaw Carlos Rodon, who has allowed 15 earned runs in just 13 innings over his past three starts.
SECOND BASE
Josh Harrison, PIT at SD ($14): Harrison has displayed a strong batting eye against left-handers, with nine walks and only 14 strikeouts along with a .374 wOBA in 96 plate appearances. That success should be amplified in Sunday's matchup with Clayton Richard, who comes in with an 8.73 ERA over 33 innings in his past six starts and has surrendered a .393 wOBA to right-handed hitters this season.
THIRD BASE
Adrian Beltre, TEX vs. BAL ($20): Beltre has been scorching hot in his pursuit of 3,000 hits, mustering multi-hit efforts in four of the past six contests. Staying that way should be easy with southpaw Wade Miley on the mound given the veteran slugger's .405 wOBA against lefties. Miley has been a welcome sight for batters from the right side, serving up a .384 wOBA over 410 plate appearances.
SHORTSTOP
Eduardo Escobar, MIN at OAK ($7): The switch-hitting Escobar will have the platoon advantage regardless of who Oakland sends to the mound. The Athletics are pulling ace Sonny Gray from his scheduled start in anticipation of a trade, setting Minnesota up for a big game offensively against what will likely be a subpar fill-in starter or bullpen-by-committee situation. Using the minimum-priced shortstop allows you to take advantage of a hitter-friendly situation without making a large commitment financially.
OUTFIELD
Joc Pederson, LAD vs. SF ($16): Pederson has easily outperformed his $16 price when facing right-handed pitchers, posting a .371 wOBA. That success should continue against Matt Cain, who has allowed a wOBA over .350 from both sides en route to a 5.45 ERA and 1.67 WHIP. Pederson also has a brief yet successful history against his division rival, coming in with a .400/.500/.800 career line against Cain.
Marcell Ozuna, MIA vs. CIN ($17): Hard-throwing Reds rookie Luis Castillo has scuffled of late, surrendering 10 earned runs in 17 innings over his past three starts. The righty has done well to limit opponents from the left side to a .302 wOBA, but right-handed hitters have posted a .349 wOBA against him. Ozuna has actually preferred righty-on-righty matchups judging by his superior .392 wOBA in that split, and batting cleanup makes him all the more dangerous.
Nick Markakis, ATL at PHI ($11): Markakis doesn't offer the same left-handed power as teammate Freddie Freeman, but he comes at half the price. His affordability and decent .332 wOBA against righties are enough to warrant use against Vince Velasquez at Citizens Bank Park. Velasquez has surrendered a .372 wOBA to left-handed hitters, including .433 at home. That decrease in effectiveness isn't surprising given his home venue's sixth-ranked 1.08 park factor.
