It's a right-hander's world.
With a disproportionate number of left-handed pitchers on the DL, the ratio of lefties to righties has been skewed to the point that eight teams -- the Braves, Cubs, Reds, Dodgers, Twins, Mets, Athletics and Rangers -- are projected to face nothing but righties this week.
Chances are that'll change. Between rainouts, new injuries and sudden injury returnees, starting rotations are constantly in flux, and so projecting them for eight teams, much less all 30, more than a week out is an exercise in futility. But no matter how it shakes out, those eight teams -- as well as several others -- will be facing a lot of right-handed pitchers this week, which naturally means something to their hitters.
We'll be leaning heavily on splits with this group of sleeper hitters, which are as always chosen from those owned in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
Justin Smoak
MIL • 1B • #12
2017 vs. LHP
Not only do the Blue Jays have good matchups against the Reds and Yankees rotations this week, but the possibility of facing three lefties (a rarity in the game right now) plays right into Justin Smoak's strengths. He's also batting .303 with a 1.038 OPS at home, where all seven games will take place.
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Max Kepler
MIN • RF • #26
last 10 games
Max Kepler is one of those hitters who'll get to feast on nothing but righties, against whom he's batting .305 with a .941 OPS. He's also one of the hottest hitters in baseball right now and gets to face some of the worst the Astros and Angels have to offer.
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Devon Travis
TOR • 2B • #29
last nine games
BA0.459
HR2
2B8
OPS1.325
AB37
Speaking of hot hitters, Devon Travis has already had an insane month of May, setting the team record for doubles by a second baseman, and still has more correction ahead, judging by his .277 BABIP. He'll enjoy those same matchups Smoak has.
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David Peralta
SD • RF • #24
2017 vs. RHP
BA0.336
HR4
OPS.887
AB122
K23
Injuries and matchups have led to some inconsistent playing time for David Peralta of late, but with only one lefty on tap, he should start six of the Diamondbacks' seven games this week while facing a bunch of rascals like Trevor Williams, Chad Kuhl, Jose Urena, Edinson Volquez and Vance Worley.
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Matt Adams
WAS • 1B • #18
2017 with Braves
Matt Adams has taken to life as the Braves' primary first baseman, homering twice in his first three games with the new club, and though the left-handed slugger will be away from SunTrust Park this week, he'll be facing all righties and none of them good.
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Jed Lowrie
OAK • 2B • #8
last six games
Jed Lowrie plays for one of the teams with the five worst matchups this week, which would normally eliminate him from consideration here, but he needs some love as a top-six second baseman with a 24 percent ownership rate. And yes, he's one of those hitters who'll enjoy a full slate of righties, batting .315 with a .937 OPS against them.
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Aaron Hicks
LAA • LF • #12
2017 season
With Jacoby Ellsbury on the concussion DL, Aaron Hicks has no impediments to full-time at-bats, which means we'll get to see just how legitimate his part-time numbers are. At 59 percent ownership, he seems like a worthy gamble.
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Brandon Phillips
BOS • 2B
last 10 games
Those six righties I mentioned for Matt Adams? Specifically, they're Ricky Nolasco, Daniel Wright, Jesse Chavez, Bronson Arroyo, Scott Feldman and Lisalverto Bonilla. No reason to think that group is going to slow Brandon Phillips down.
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Jason Heyward
HOU • RF • #22
2017 vs. RHP
Jason Heyward has hit safely in all five games since returning from a sprained finger, even launching a couple home runs. The Cubs' matchups are nothing special this week, but there isn't a right-hander among them, which should allow him to keep building momentum.
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Adam Frazier
KC • LF • #26
last 11 games
Adam Frazier is the highest-scoring hitter in Head-to-Head points leagues over the last week, and since he's 37 percent owned and dual eligible (second base and outfield), it'd be crazy not to include him here. You shouldn't get used to him providing home runs, though -- he's more of a singles hitter, albeit in large quantities -- and his matchups this week are merely so-so.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 9
1. Rockies SEA2, @SEA2, @SD3
2. Diamondbacks @PIT3, @MIA4
3. Mariners @COL2, COL2, TB3
4. Rays @TEX3, @SEA3
5. Braves @LAA3, @CIN3
Worst hitter matchups for Week 9
1. Orioles NYY3, BOS4
2. White Sox BOS3, @DET3
3. Cardinals LAD4, @CHC3
4. Brewers @NYM4, LAD3
5. Athletics @CLE4, WAS3