This article is part of our FanDuel MLB series.
Tuesday's schedule features a game at Coors Field and Clayton Kershaw on the mound, so deciding how to allocate salary is a critical first step in roster construction. Let's focus on affordable hitters, which allow us to fit in a high-priced pitcher or some Coors Field hitters.
Pitcher
James Shields, $8,700 - Shields has been inconsistent in his first year for the Padres but has pitched better lately, especially in Petco Park. Shields has 28 strikeouts in his last four home starts, while only allowing nine earned runs. His strikeout rate at Petco Park has been strong all year with 88 strikeouts in 75 innings. He faces the punch-less Braves lineup, without Freddie Freeman, in a great matchup for Shields since his weakness has been giving up home runs this year. He might even get some run support from the Padres since they face the unimpressive former-Padre Matt Wisler.
Raisel Iglesias, $6,900 - Iglesias has found his groove in the second half of the season, and he has been borderline dominant in his last five starts. He has 34 strikeouts in 31 innings those starts with a solid 3.56 ERA. He faces a formidable challenge in the Royals, but they will be without their DH, as the interleague game is at Cincinnati. Iglesias has been much better at home as well, with a 3.82 ERA and 32 strikeouts in 33 innings (5.81 ERA on the road). Iglesias is one of the few affordable pitchers with strikeout potential, making him an interesting option if you choose to load up on expensive hitters.
Catcher
Blake Swihart, $2,200 - Swihart is an excellent way to save some salary as he is minimum-priced on FanDuel, and has been productive lately at the plate. Swihart has been a better hitter at home in Fenway Park, and he faces the struggling Trevor Bauer who has given up 10 earned runs in his last two starts. Swihart has upside as well, evidenced by his four-hit performance Saturday that included two doubles and four runs scored. At the bare-minimum salary he make san excellent value play at catcher.
First Base
Ben Paulsen, $3,200 - Paulsen is the most affordable Rockies hitter who bats in the heart of the lineup and is an affordable way to get a piece of their offense. Paulsen has been great in Coors Field, with a .320 average and .566 slugging percentage at home. He bats fifth in the lineup versus right-handed pitching, so he should have plenty of opportunities to drive in runs. He faces Jordan Zimmermann, who has not been that great in 2015, so the Rockies could have a big night at the plate.
Second Base
Enrique Hernandez, $2,400 - Enrique, also known as Kike Hernandez, has filled in nicely for the Dodgers following the Howie Kendrick injury. Hernandez has crushed left-handed pitching all year and has a juicy matchup as the Dodgers face Felix Doubront on Tuesday night in Oakland. Hernandez is batting an impressive .414 versus left-handed pitching with 14 extra-base hits in just 58 at bats (.793 slugging percentage). At his near-minimum price he is a bargain and makes an excellent value play at second base.
Third Base
Trevor Plouffe, $3,000 - There are plenty of options at third base, including Plouffe's teammate Miguel Sano, $3,600, but Plouffe is a far superior hitter against left-handed pitching. Plouffe has five home runs in 120 at-bats against southpaws and has hit three home runs in his last five games. He faces CC Sabathia, who has been prone to the long ball in 2015 and has a 5.23 ERA, so the matchup is prime for a big night from the Twins' offense. Plouffe offers power potential at a reasonable price tag.
Shortstop
Jean Segura, $2,200 - Both shortstops at Coors Field on Tuesday are strong plays, as Ian Desmond, $4,000, and Jose Reyes, $3,400, are reasonabley priced and have upside in a potentially high-scoring game. Segura, however, offers a salary-saving option at his bare-minimum price and has a favorable matchup of his own. Segura faces left-handed Adam Conley and his 5.00 ERA at home at Miller Park. Segura usually leads off when the Brewers face a left-handed pitcher and is batting .300 against southpaws. He is also hot at the plate, with hits in seven of his last nine games. He offers a great way to save salary at a weak position.
Outfield
Khris Davis, $3,000 - Davis has been red-hot at the plate since returning from injury and will look to continue producing against Adam Conley and the Marlins. Davis has hits in four straight games and had a multi-homer game a week ago. He loves hitting at Miller Park, as he is batting .294 with 11 home runs at home (.143 with one homer on the road). He has six home runs since the All-Star break and has batted fifth. With big-time power and a juicy matchup, he makes an excellent value play in the outfield.
Brett Gardner, $3,000, Jacoby Ellsbury, $3,000 - Both Yankees outfielders have depressed salaries and a great matchup against Mike Pelfrey at Yankee Stadium. Gardner is batting .313 at home in 2015 with an impressive .516 slugging percentage. Ellsbury has not been as productive as Gardner but has been hot at the plate with three home runs in August. Both outfielders have a nice combination of power and speed and can score multiple runs at the top of the lineup. They face Mike Pelfrey, who is mediocre at best and could be in for a long night in the Big Apple. Fire up one, or both.
Yasiel Puig, $2,800 - Puig is normally closer to $4k, so take advantage of this price and fire him up against Felix Doubront. Puig has crushed the ball lately with six home runs since the All-Star break. He also enjoys left-handed pitching, as he is slugging .528 against southpaws with four home runs in 53 at-bats. Doubront has been on multiple teams in 2015 and is now starting for the A's. At his depressed price, Puig makes a strong choice in the outfield and has big time upside.
