Lose a stud bat to injury and need a fill-in in a pinch? Tired of that dead weight in your utility spot and looking to catch lightning in a bottle? Scott White has 10 recommendations for the upcoming scoring period, all rostered in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues. They're not must-starts by any means, but they're the best you'll be able to do off the waiver wire.
- Week 18: Sleeper pitchers | Two-start pitchers
All information is up to date as of Sunday evening.
Sleeper hitters for Week 18 (Aug. 1-7)
Diaz has been a constant on the bases for about a month now, reaching at a .451 clip over his past 28 games. He contributes little in the way of home runs and stolen bases, but he's a points league darling looking at another favorable pitching slate this week.
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Suffering through another miserable, injury-plagued season, Moncada showed signs of coming around a couple weeks ago but has cooled off again. The White Sox do have the best hitter matchups this week, though, thanks to seven games against the Rangers and Royals pitching staffs.
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The lesser-known Urias has emerged as a surprising source of power in recent days, and the batted-ball profile mostly backs it up. The Orioles have some pretty squishy pitchers on the schedule this week, including Spencer Howard, Mitch Keller, J.T. Brubaker and Bryse Wilson.
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Lowe has been a steady contributor for the Rangers since the start of June, batting .287 (58 for 202) with 12 homers and an .857 OPS. He's become an advisable play regardless of the matchups, but it so happens that he'll open this week with three games against the Orioles.
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The Diamondbacks' matchups are a mixed bag this week, but Rojas has been swinging a hot bat in July while also making a surprising speed contribution with six steals. It helps that you can play him at any of four positions (second base, third base shortstop and outfield).
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Candelario had a big second half a year ago and may be building up to something similar this year, having hit half his home runs for the season (five) in his past 16 games. At a position as thin as third base, you could do worse than a hot-hand play like him.
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Last year's AL batting leader has had a disappointing season but is heating up at just the right time for the Astros' third-best hitter matchups this week, batting .381 (8 for 21) with three doubles and two steals in his past five games.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 18
1. White Sox KC3, @TEX4
2. Blue Jays @TB2, @MIN4
3. Astros BOS3, @CLE4
4. Rockies @SD5, @ARI3
5. Brewers @PIT3, CIN3
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Worst hitter matchups for Week 18
1. Athletics @LAA3, SF2
2. Giants LAD4, @OAK2
3. Reds @MIA3, @MIL3
4. Braves PHI2, @NYM5
5. Nationals NYM3, @PHI4