kerry-carpenter.jpg

If you need a fill-in for an injury or are simply looking for a spark, Scott White has you covered with 10 sleeper hitters for the upcoming scoring period, all rostered in less 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. 28-Sept. 3)
DET Detroit • #30 • Age: 27
Matchups
NYY4, @CHW3
Rostered
74%
The August standout (nine home runs this month) has become an everyday player, but Carpenter is still at his best against right-handers, batting .298 with a .930 OPS. Fortunately, that's all the Tigers are scheduled to face in their seven games this week, and they're some of the worst the Yankees and White Sox can throw at them.
COL Colorado • #22 • Age: 26
Matchups
ATL3, TOR3
Rostered
61%
Jones caught fire on the Rockies' last home stand and is back at Coors Field for back-to-back series against the Braves and Blue Jays. Seeing as he's batting .279 with an .861 OPS this season, it's a wonder he's as available as he is.
OAK Oakland • #20 • Age: 25
Matchups
@SEA3, LAA3
Rostered
73%
Just when it seemed like Gelof might be cooling off, he homered on his hardest-hit ball of the season Thursday. The Athletics' matchups this week are hardly prohibitive, particularly the three games against the Angels pitching staff, so there's no reason to back off the rookie second baseman.
HOU Houston • #21 • Age: 26
Matchups
@BOS3, NYY3
Rostered
54%
Diaz is quickly rising the catcher ranks while splitting his time between his primary position, first base and DH. He doesn't have a job all to himself, but seeing as he's batting .327 (33 for 101) with nine homers in his past 29 games, Dusty Baker is motivated to play him.
CIN Cincinnati • #33 • Age: 25
Matchups
@SF3, CHC4
Rostered
66%
Encarnacion-Strand hasn't gotten rolling yet, but the expected stats look better than the actual ones. He'll get a chance to spread his wings at first base with Joey Votto (shoulder) on the IL
COL Colorado • #19 • Age: 38
Matchups
ATL3, TOR3
Rostered
49%
You may think there's nothing left in the tank for Blackmon, who recently returned from a fractured hand. But that's not true at home in Coors Field, where the Rockies will play all six of their games this week and where he's batting .307 with a .923 OPS.
ATL Atlanta • #11 • Age: 30
Matchups
@COL3, @LAD4
Rostered
62%
Arcia has been dynamite against lefties all year, batting .333 with a 1.095 OPS. He makes for a fine play with four on the schedule this week, not to mention three games at Coors Field.
ATL Atlanta • #14 • Age: 36
Matchups
HOU3, @KC3
Rostered
40%
Duvall has homered five times in his past seven games and is a good bet to continue the power surge this week against pitchers like Cristian Javier, Jordan Lyles, Alec Marsh and Zack Greinke.
PHI Philadelphia • #9 • Age: 29
Matchups
CHW3, @ARI3
Rostered
66%
Hays' first half made him an All-Star, but his second half has made him an afterthought in Fantasy. He may be picking it up again, though, with three homers and six doubles in his past 11 games. His matchups against the White Sox and Diamondbacks rotations this week are favorable enough for him to keep it going.
BOS Boston • #52 • Age: 25
Matchups
HOU3, @KC3
Rostered
3%
Though he hasn't gotten the most consistent at-bats, Abreu has made plenty of hard contact so far in the majors, living up to the power numbers he delivered in the minors. Having a bunch of righties on the schedule this week should help to maximize his playing time, making him a super sneaky play in Fantasy.

Best hitter matchups for Week 23

1. Padres @STL3, SF4
2. Tigers NYY4, @CHW3
3. Mariners OAK3, @NYM3
4. Blue Jays WAS3, @COL3
5. Pirates @KC3, @STL3

Worst hitter matchups for Week 23

1. Rays @MIA2, @CLE3
2. Twins CLE3, @TEX3
3. Guardians @MIN3, TB3
4. Nationals @TOR3, MIA4
5. Giants CIN3, @SD4