Week 22 Preview: Finding the Hidden Gems
The upcoming fantasy baseball slate, running from August 17 through 23, brings a mix of high‑stakes series and overlooked opportunities. With several teams locked in tight races, the waiver wire becomes a battlefield for managers seeking that extra edge.
Scott White’s latest column zeroes in on ten sleepers that are still owned by fewer than 80 percent of CBS Sports participants. These players are primed to deliver outsized returns, especially in leagues where roster depth is limited.
Matchups That Matter
Among the most compelling series are the Guardians’ showdown with Colorado, a contest that could boost the batting averages of several mid‑order hitters. The Reds versus Arizona matchup also promises a surge in run production, while the Red Sox take on San Francisco in a pitcher‑friendly environment that may favor opportunistic bats.
Conversely, the Blue Jays’ series against New York, the Giants’ clash with Cleveland or Boston, and the Orioles’ battle with Tampa Bay represent the weakest spots for hitters this week. Targeting these games for benching or streaming could prevent costly point losses.
Two names that repeatedly surface in the sleeper discussion are Steven Kwan and Zack Gelof. Both are still floating under the radar in many lineups, yet their recent performances suggest they could break out in the coming games, delivering the kind of value that separates a good week from a great one.
Strategic Takeaways
For managers aiming to maximize scoring, the advice is clear: prioritize acquiring the highlighted sleepers, especially those with favorable matchups, and consider benching players facing the worst opposing pitchers. By aligning roster moves with the schedule’s strengths and weaknesses, teams can turn a modest week into a decisive advantage.