I'm going to warn you right now: It's probably not the best week to stream hitters off the waiver wire.
I don't know if it's because some of the teams with the most interesting pickups (I'm thinking specifically of the Cubs) happen to have some of the worst matchups or because some of the usual standbys have finally moved past the 80 percent roster threshold. It probably doesn't help that the Rockies are on the road all week.
Week 25: Sleeper pitchers | Two-start pitchers
Whatever the reason, rest assured I'm unimpressed with this list, too. Sometimes you just have to make the best of a bad situation. Among the hitters rostered in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues, here are my favorite sleepers for Week 25 (Sept. 13-19).
The Marlins have the third-best matchups this week, and his power/speed combo still makes him capable of doing big damage when he's going well. Granted, we haven't seen much of it lately.
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A two-homer game earlier this week opened eyes to his potential, especially now that he's earning a larger share of the at-bats. The Rays and Twins are running some makeshift rotations out there right now.
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He's still in the lineup more days than not and has really been tapping into the power recently. Having five lefties on the schedule should make a difference given that he's batting nearly 60 points higher against them.
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Another hitter who does his best work against lefties, batting .302 with an .879 OPS against them, Austin Hays is in line to face three this week. He has hit safely in 18 of his past 19 games, too.
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He's had a productive second half, particularly in leagues that reward doubles, and has become reliable enough that you don't need a great reason to start him. Decent matchups will suffice.
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He's been piling up doubles and multi-hit games of late, and the three lefties on the schedule should only help given that he's batting .316 against them.
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The matchups are nothing special, but it's time to acknowledge that his proclivity on the base paths and .333 batting average since May have made Nicky Lopez everything we once hoped Nick Madrigal would be. He deserves more love.
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You'd like more home runs and stolen bases from him, but the contact-first hitter isn't a zero in either area. The Athletics have the fourth-best hitter matchups this week.
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His bat has gone ice cold since he joined the White Sox, but he's another hitter who stands to benefit from a lefty-loaded schedule. Thirteen of his 21 home runs this season have come off left-handers, and he's in line to face four of them.
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He has remained the Astros' preferred option in center field even with Chas McCormick back from the IL, but Jake Meyers will need to start producing again in order for it to last. Fortunately, he'll get to enjoy the best hitter matchups of any team this week.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 25
1. Yankees MIN1, @BAL3, CLE3
2. Astros @TEX4, ARI3
3. Marlins @WAS3, PIT3
4. Athletics @KC3, @LAA3
5. White Sox LAA3, @TEX3
Worst hitter matchups for Week 25
1. Cubs @PHI3, @MIL3
2. Angels @CHW3, OAK3
3. Rangers HOU4, CHW3
4. Cardinals @NYM3, SD3
5. Giants SD4, ATL3
