Curtis Mead tops CBS Sports’ Week 18 fantasy sleeper bats
Scott White’s Week 18 fantasy baseball hitter targets lean on hot bats, soft matchups and multi-position help for July 20-26.
By Deshawn Carter · Sports Writer
3 min read
Curtis Mead is the first name on Scott White’s Week 18 fantasy baseball sleeper list at CBS Sports, with the Nationals infielder drawing attention after a hot 12-game stretch and a trip to Colorado.
White framed the July 20-26 period as a reset point for fantasy managers whose leagues treated the first post-All-Star-break weekend as its own scoring period. His recommendations apply to hitters rostered in fewer than 80% of CBS Sports leagues, with data current as of late Sunday.
Mead, rostered in 75% of CBS Sports leagues, has hit .413, going 19 for 46 with three home runs over his past 12 games, according to White. He also carries eligibility at first base, second base and third base, and Washington’s schedule includes three games at Colorado and three against Arizona.
CBS Sports also highlighted J.J. Bleday of the Reds, who is rostered in 66% of leagues. White noted that Bleday has gone 10 for 32, a .313 average, with three homers across his past nine games, while Cincinnati is scheduled for three games at Seattle and three at St. Louis with only one left-handed starter expected.
Marlins outfielder Heriberto Hernandez is the deeper cut. White said Hernandez has received more regular playing time with Owen Caissie on the injured list, and he has hit .282 with 12 home runs and a .973 OPS over his past 40 games. He is rostered in 18% of CBS Sports leagues.
Week 18 names to know
Royce Lewis, Twins: White pointed to Lewis’ production since returning from the minors, a .260 average, seven homers and an .806 OPS in 34 games. Minnesota has seven games on the schedule, at Cleveland for four and home against the Athletics for three.
Gabriel Moreno, Diamondbacks: Rostered in 78% of CBS Sports leagues, Moreno has hit .343 with five home runs and a .914 OPS over his past 50 games, according to White. Arizona has three games against the Athletics, one at St. Louis and three at Washington.
Tristan Peters, White Sox: White cited Peters’ .312 average and .863 OPS against right-handed pitching. Chicago is scheduled to face only right-handers during series at Texas and against Houston.
Mauricio Dubon, Braves: White said Dubon’s four-position eligibility makes him useful in a favorable week for Atlanta, which gets four games against San Diego and three at Baltimore.
Dylan Crews, Nationals: White noted Crews’ recent July dip but pointed to his upcoming Coors Field series and broader skill set as reasons he still belongs on the radar.
Joshua Kuroda-Grauer, Athletics: Called up in late June, Kuroda-Grauer is filling in for Max Muncy at third base, according to White, who cited his contact-heavy, line-drive profile.
Ryan Waldschmidt, Diamondbacks: White described Waldschmidt as a risk after a return from the minors, but noted he is 10 for 29, a .345 average, against left-handers in a small sample.
Best and worst matchup boards
White ranked the Tigers as the top hitter matchup play for Week 18, with three games at the Cubs and four against the Royals. The Diamondbacks were second, followed by the Nationals, Athletics and Marlins.
On the tougher side, CBS Sports listed the Mets as having the worst hitter matchups, with series at Milwaukee and against the Dodgers. The Dodgers, Red Sox, Mariners and Blue Jays rounded out the five most difficult hitting schedules for the week.
This story draws on original reporting from CBS Sports.