Whether you're in need of an injury fill-in or just a hot-hand play, Scott White has you covered with 10 sleeper hitters for the upcoming scoring period, all rostered in no more than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues. They're not must-starts by any estimation, but they're the best you'll find off the waiver wire.
All information is up to date as of Sunday evening.
Sleeper hitters for Week 23 (Aug. 26-Sept. 1)
With 21 homers and an .885 OPS on the year, Mark Vientos is a top-12 third baseman for me and should probably be started regardless of matchups at this point. But since he somehow still qualifies for this list, I'm going to advise using him with pitchers like Eduardo Rodriguez, Ryne Nelson, Jonathan Cannon, and Davis Martin on the schedule.
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The Rockies are not only home for all seven of their games but also facing some of the worst pitchers the Marlins and Orioles can throw at them, giving them the most favorable matchups of any team. Michael Toglia remains criminally under-rostered in my mind, delivering premium exit velocities that have contributed to a .278/.385/.595 slash line over his past 37 games (Sunday excluded).
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Kerry Carpenter has already delivered four home runs since his return from a lengthy IL stint Aug. 13 but still has the misfortune of occasionally sitting against left-handers. It shouldn't be a problem this week with nothing but right-handers on the schedule -- and some genuinely mashable ones between the White Sox, Angels, and Red Sox rotations.
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The Diamondbacks' matchups this week aren't particularly special, but the toughest pitchers they're facing this week (Jack Flaherty, Clayton Kershaw and Sean Manaea) aren't so much lockdown aces. Mostly, Jake McCarthy is here because he's run hot for so long, batting .362 (38 for 105) with five homers and six steals in his past 27 games.
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I've mentioned the Red Sox's favorable matchups already and will note that six of the seven pitchers on tap throw right-handed. That's notable because Wilyer Abreu only plays against righties -- and quite well at that, batting .284 with an .893 OPS.
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Spencer Horwitz has already delivered on his sleeper promise in Week 22 (Aug. 19-25) and is primed for an encore with a schedule featuring nothing but righties, including four from a Red Sox rotation that's been particularly vulnerable to the long ball of late. The rookie, who stands out most for his bat control and plate discipline, is slashing .282/.377/.481 against righties.
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Maybe no Rockies hitter benefits more from their full week of home games (and favorable matchups) than Brendan Rodgers, who's batting .333 with an .867 OPS at home compared to .220 with a .596 OPS on the road. He's having a big month of August, too, batting .313 (26 for 83) with three homers and a .854 OPS.
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If you thought David Hamilton's stint of Fantasy relevance in June was just a flash in the pan, note that the speedy middle infielder has picked up the pace again in August, batting .275 (14 for 51) with three homers and six steals. He only plays against right-handers, but with six on the schedule -- and generally hittable types like Jose Berrios, Yariel Rodriguez, Chris Bassitt, Bowden Francis and Kenta Maeda -- this week seems like a good time to give him another try.
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Nolan Jones has been next to useless when healthy this season, but he was excellent on a two-week rehab assignment and only recently rejoined the big-league lineup. It's a do-you-have-it-GUTS kind of pick, but with the Rockies having such favorable matchups this week -- and all at home, as you may have heard -- I might just risk it in a five-outfielder league.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 23
1. Rockies MIA4, BAL3
2. Tigers @CHW1, LAA3, BOS3
3. White Sox DET1, TEX3, NYM3
4. Red Sox TOR4, @DET3
5. Marlins @COL4, @SF3
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Worst hitter matchups for Week 23
1. Angels @DET3, SEA3
2. Rays @SEA3, SD3
3. Phillies HOU3, ATL4
4. Twins ATL3, TOR3
5. Braves @MIN3, @PHI4