You probably don’t need a sleeper hitter for Week 1.
That’s also true for sleeper pitchers, which you’ll find in a separate article, but it’s especially true for hitters, who aren’t as susceptible to matchups and are harder to predict in one-week increments.
But maybe you’ve already been hit with the injury bug. Maybe you play in a league with deeper lineups and don’t have a trustworthy starter for every spot. I can see why you might need a sleeper hitter for Week 1, just … probably not.
Regardless, I have sleeper recommendations for you and will every week of the season. Note that I’ll be limiting my selection to those rostered in less than 80 percent of CBS Sports leagues.
This first week actually requires two lists. With the season beginning on a Thursday, some leagues will choose to treat opening weekend as its own four-day scoring period (which is the CBS standard), but others will combine it with the first full week for an extra long 11-day scoring period. Rest assured that no matter how your league has opted to handle it, I have you covered.
Sleeper hitters for short Week 1 (March 27-30)
Best hitter matchups for short Week 1
1. Pirates @MIA4
2. Red Sox @TEX4
3. Marlins PIT4
4. Rays COL3
5. Angels @CHW3
Worst hitter matchups for short Week 1
1. Reds SF3
2. Phillies @WAS3
3. Tigers @LAD3
4. Cardinals MIN3
5. Guardians @KC3
Sleeper hitters for long Week 1 (March 27-April 6)
Best hitter matchups for long Week 1
1. Blue Jays BAL4, WAS3, @NYM3
2. Angels @CHW3, @STL3, CLE3
3. Red Sox @TEX4, @BAL3, STL3
4. Pirates @MIA4, @TB3, NYY3
5. Rays COL3, PIT3, @TEX3
Worst hitter matchups for long Week 1
1. Dodgers DET3, ATL3, @PHI3
2. Giants @CIN3, @HOU3, SEA3
3. Padres ATL4, CLE3, @CHC3
4. Nationals PHI3, @TOR3, ARI3
5. Orioles @TOR4, BOS3, @KC3