This article is part of our Yahoo DFS Baseball series.
Tuesday's 15-game MLB slate beginning at 2:10 PM Eastern time should provide one of the most exciting days of the young season, highlighted by the return of baseball's biggest rivalry. While the Yankees-Red Sox matchup will draw plenty of fanfare, the best offensive value plays in this slate are found in other games. Many of those options are of the low-cost variety, as paying up for a couple of relatively expensive pitchers with favorable matchups presents the clearest path to success.
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PITCHER
Sean Manaea, OAK at LAD ($41): The Dodgers currently rank seventh from the bottom at just 3.22 runs per game, so look for Manaea to build on his hot start with another strong outing here. With a 1.15 ERA, 0.51 WHIP and 11:1 K:BB over 15.2 innings through two appearances, the 26-year-old lefty appears to have taken a legitimate step forward. This could be one of your final chances to grab him at a discount before he becomes a legitimate household name, and it helps that this game will take place at Dodger Stadium, which boasts the league's third-lowest park factor so far at just 0.50.
Patrick Corbin, ARI at SF ($47): Corbin will be going for his third consecutive victory over a fellow NL West opponent after holding the Padres to two runs in his first start before blanking the Dodgers over 7.1 innings. All told, he's racked up a wonderful 20:2 K:BB and an average of 37.0 fantasy points that's tops in this slate. A Giants offense that entered play Monday tied for second-worst in the league at just 3.00 runs per game will be hard-pressed to slow Corbin down.
CATCHER
Yan Gomes, CLE vs. DET ($11): Gomes won't cost you much at the catcher position, but he's proven himself capable of contributing beyond expectations in his price range, smacking homers on two different occasions this season. While Tigers lefty Matthew Boyd performed well against Cleveland last season, his .357 wOBA allowed to right-handed hitters overall in that stretch suggest he's far from an option to fear on the mound. Gomes' .360 wOBA against lefties has him primed for further success here.
FIRST BASE
Jose Abreu, CWS vs. TB ($21): After averaging 31 home runs over his first four major-league campaigns, Abreu's well on his way to another gaudy total, having launched a couple long balls already. He dominated left-handed pitching to the tune of a .428 wOBA last season, and Abreu's off to an even hotter start in that split over a limited sample this year. Roll him out with confidence against Rays southpaw Blake Snell, who allowed a pair of right-handed Yankees hitters take him deep in his last start.
SECOND BASE
Ian Happ, CHC vs. PIT ($13): The switch-hitting Happ has looked far more dangerous from the left side in his brief career, as he finished his rookie year with a .357 wOBA against right-handed pitching and just a .326 mark when facing lefties. He'll be hitting in his favored split against righty Ivan Nova, who allowed a .361 wOBA to batters from the left side in his previous campaign. As far as fantasy situations go, you won't find a much better one in this price range than Happ's, as he occupies the leadoff spot for a dangerous Cubs lineup.
THIRD BASE
Wilmer Flores, NYM at MIA ($7): Flores' part-time role keeps his price down, but owners best not overlook him when the Mets face left-handed pitching. The versatile infielder posted a .351 wOBA in that split last season, but his .455 mark in 2016 suggests Flores is capable of even more. Marlins starter Caleb Smith presents a favorable matchup as far as southpaws go judging by his nine walks over 8.1 innings through two starts.
SHORTSTOP
Manny Machado, BAL vs. TOR ($19): One of the things that make Machado such a formidable hitter is his ability to deliver when facing all types of pitchers -- the right-handed slugger's .346 career wOBA against righties is actually higher than his .342 output against southpaws. That consistency makes him a nightmare matchup for Toronto's Aaron Sanchez, whose Achilles' heel last season came in righty-on-righty situations (.406 wOBA allowed). In a slate littered with strong bargain-bin options, Machado stands out as a player worth paying up for at a traditionally light-hitting position.
OUTFIELD
Odubel Herrera, PHI vs. CIN ($16): Herrera really got into a groove over his team's recently completed series with the Marlins, producing a multi-hit performance in all three games. Keeping that momentum rolling shouldn't be difficult against Homer Bailey, whose huge contract might be the only thing keeping him in the Reds rotation. Bailey posted a 6.43 ERA last season, and he's already 0-2 with a 5.92 xFIP and .458 wOBA allowed to left-handed hitters this season.
Justin Upton, LAA at TEX ($24): Upton should be a near-automatic play against left-handed pitching, especially when the pitcher in question is as ordinary as Martin Perez, who allowed a .362 wOBA to right-handed hitters last season. Meanwhile, Upton produced a .472 wOBA in 143 plate appearances against southpaws last year. Playing at Globe Life Park in Arlington -- which grades out as hitter-friendly to right-handed batters in all categories -- should further raise Upton's stock. That venue's 1.22 park factor last season finished second-highest behind only the legendary Coors Field.
Byron Buxton, MIN vs. HOU ($11): Buxton's slow start has left much to be desired, but the 2012 second overall pick's torrid finish to last season suggests it's only a matter of time until he heats up. This matchup thus presents a sneaky buy-low opportunity. Houston lefty Dallas Keuchel has been dominant at his pitcher-friendly home venue, but his career 4.43 ERA and .329 wOBA allowed on the road are far less intimidating than his corresponding 2.93 and .276 marks at Minute Maid Park. Buxton's .375 home wOBA against lefties last season and .370 overall wOBA in the second half suggest he has the tools to further widen the gap in Keuchel's home/road splits.
