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 19: Sleeper pitchers | Two-start pitchers
All information is up to date as of Sunday evening.
Sleeper hitters for Week 19 (Aug. 8-14)
The data suggests that Mancini would have at least twice as many home runs if he played every game at Minute Maid Park. He'll get a full week at his new home with some pretty good matchups against the Rangers and Athletics, though it's possible he doesn't start all six games.
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The Diamondbacks have easily the most favorable hitter matchups of any team this week, facing off against Pirates staff for four games before visiting Colorado for three. It's a good time to bet on the versatile Rojas, who has even pitched in some stolen bases batting atop the lineup.
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Thomas has done most of his damage vs. righties this year, batting .272 with an .802 OPS against them compared to .222 and .527 against lefties. That's all the Diamondbacks have on the schedule this week, and the matchups couldn't be better against Pittsburgh and Colorado.
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Mateo has been a bargain-bin steals source for most of the year, but he's upped his performance over his past 34 games, batting .255 with six homers, seven steals and an .854 OPS. It's good timing for a seven-game slate that features mostly the back ends of the Blue Jays and Rays rotations.
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Hoerner hasn't been at his hottest lately but has proven his worth as a multi-category contributor who makes too much contact to slump for long. The Cubs' matchups are hardly prohibitive, featuring pitchers like Anibal Sanchez, Paolo Espino, Graham Ashcraft and Justin Dunn.
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It's not a great week for sleeper hitters, to be honest, and when that's the case, it's easy to lean on someone like Votto as long as the matchups aren't prohibitive. He gets the Cubs pitching staff to end the week and already has five home runs since the All-Star break.
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Rengifo has (tragically) become the Angels' No. 3 hitter with Mike Trout sidelined, and he recently had an 18-game hitting streak snapped in which he batted .380 (27 for 71). Granted, there's little power to be found, but he's a reasonable bet to stay hot against whatever the Athletics and Twins are throwing at him this week.
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Though he's been a disaster at the dish virtually all season long, Grisham is suddenly showing signs of life, homering in three straight games to begin the month of August. He gets the back end of the Giants rotation to open the week and then an ugly Nationals trio of Patrick Corbin, Cory Abbott and Anibal Sanchez.
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The biggest knock on Duran since his return from the minors is that he doesn't play against left-handers, but the Red Sox don't have any of those on the schedule this week. He's been slumping a bit of late, but he can still make an impact in the stolen base category.
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Urias' post-break surge has come to an end, but the batted-ball data still suggests he's an underrated power source. With a seven-game slate that includes pitchers like Josh Winckowski, Corey Kluber and Drew Rasmussen, he's still usable.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 19
1. Diamondbacks PIT4, @COL3
2. White Sox @KC4, DET3
3. Rockies STL3, ARI3
4. Orioles TOR3, @BOS1, @TB3
5. Angels @OAK3, MIN3
Worst hitter matchups for Week 19
1. Phillies MIA3, @NYM3
2. Twins @LAD2, @LAA3
3. Royals CHW4, LAD3
4. Rangers @HOU3, SEA3
5. Rays @MIL2, BAL3
