Because of a doubleheader, two teams, the Angels and Twins, are scheduled to play eight games this week. That's compared to five games for the Royals, Brewers and Cardinals.
Of course, it just so happens that the teams playing eight games are facing mostly quality pitchers while the opposite is true for the teams playing five games. It complicates the sleeper picks, but as a general rule, you'll take extra games, particularly when the gap is as big as three.
- Week 8: Sleeper pitchers | Two-start pitcher rankings
Here are the top hitter recommendations among those rostered in less than 80 percent in CBS Sports leagues.
The Braves have the second-most favorable matchups this week, and Austin Riley has seen his batting average climb about 100 points over the past four weeks. I could see the power coming through in a big way.
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After struggling early, he has turned the corner in May, with even his strikeout rate being much improved. As a left-handed hitter, he should benefit from the five righties on the Dodgers' already favorable schedule.
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The Tigers' leadoff man has surprisingly been one of the hottest hitters in baseball over the past week, and he'll try to keep it going against pitchers like Justin Dunn, Chris Flexen, Brad Keller and Mike Minor.
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The 33-year-old has yet to put together a sustained hot streak, but he's demonstrated enough power for you to run him out there for an eight-game week.
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The Twins' matchups in their eight games are actually pretty tough, but Jorge Polanco happens to be one of their hottest hitters right now.
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The Reds are getting him in the lineup more days than not, so he's my best guess to take advantage of what are the fourth-best matchups across the league this week, particularly with six righties on the schedule.
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He has done most of his damage against left-handed pitchers this year, and the Orioles have four of those on tap. They're expected to miss Max Scherzer in that Nationals series, too.
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He's become an integral part of the Diamondbacks lineup after that miserable start to the season and should fare especially well in that series at Coors Field to end the week.
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He ended his first week in the bigs with a three-hit day and has kept the strikeouts to a minimum. With all the injuries to the Twins outfield, he might be needed for all eight games.
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Josh Harrison has cooled off, but Starlin Castro has picked up his slack, batting well over .300 for the month. There's likely more power in there, too, and maybe having the third-best matchups this week will help it to break through.
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Best hitter matchups for Week 8
1. Dodgers ARI4, @SF3
2. Braves NYM3, PIT4
3. Nationals @CHC4, BAL3
4. Reds SF4, MIL3
5. Angels CLE3, MIN2, OAK3
Worst hitter matchups for Week 8
1. Pirates @STL2, @ATL4
2. Royals MIL2, DET3
3. Rangers NYY4, HOU3
4. Brewers @KC2, @CIN3
5. Athletics HOU3, @LAA3
