We're looking at a slimmer schedule than usual this week with only five teams playing seven games and another five playing just five. It's kind of strange, too, to see less than a full slate on both Wednesday and Sunday. Normally, off days fall on either Monday or Thursday.
The week figures to be especially short for Nelson Cruz with the Rays traveling to Philadelphia for two of their five games. You're probably better off benching him in Fantasy. The same is true for both Luke Voit and Giancarlo Stanton with the Yankees also traveling to an NL park (Atlanta) for two games. It's hard to say exactly how their at-bats will shake out even when the DH spot is available.
If you're in need of a replacement for them or someone else, below are my 10 favorite sleeper hitters for Week 22 (Aug. 23-29), all rostered in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
He's been on fire since coming back from an IL stint for a dislocated finger and is on one of the few teams with seven games on the schedule this week. You can find room at one of the three positions where he's eligible.
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He's another player who's just too hot to handle with seven home runs already in August, and the Red Sox have the third-best hitter matchups this week.
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Those favorable matchups I mentioned for the Red Sox? You can bet their leadoff hitter benefits from them, too, and Enrique Hernandez still hasn't slowed down from his July hot streak.
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The streaky slugger is having a big August after a quiet June and July and gets to beat up on the Pirates pitching staff for four games.
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The Dodgers matchups aren't anything special this week, but the bottom line is that A.J. Pollock is just too available given how productive he is.
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Playing time remains an issue for Varsho even though he's also capable of manning the outfield, but that's how it goes for most any catcher you'd find on the waiver wire. Ever since the All-Star break, he's managed to make the most of whatever playing time he's been given.
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If you need a catcher, he's been an underrated option for a while now, basically taking over as the Mariners' full-time DH since the trade deadline. The three lefties on the schedule help. He's slugging .538 against them vs. .356 against righties.
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The Red Sox kept the faith on Bobby Dalbec longer than most contenders probably would have, and he's rewarded them with some decent power numbers of late. There is some concern Kyle Schwarber could bump him this week, though.
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Even if Kyle Tucker returns from his COVID-related absence this week, Jake Meyers seems poised to take over in center field, having outperformed Chas McCormick there in recent days. The Astros have the best matchups of any team this week, and the three left-handers should work in the young right-handed hitter's favor.
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He's cooled off since his sizzling first couple weeks with his new team but is still putting the bat on the ball with regularity. As with Luis Torrens, all the lefties help his cause. He's batting .309 against them vs. .232 against righties.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 22
1. Astros KC3, @TEX3
2. Phillies TB2, ARI4
3. Red Sox MIN3, @CLE3
4. Pirates ARI3, STL4
5. Cardinals DET2, @PIT4
Worst hitter matchups for Week 22
1. Tigers @STL2, TOR3
2. Cubs COL3, @CHW3
3. Reds @MIL3, @MIA3
4. Padres LAD3, @LAA2
5. Braves NYY2, SF3
