Playoff Strategies
Some leagues finish up this week and go into a playoff format to determine their champion. Here are some basic guidelines for the teams still in the hunt.
The first strategy is to determine if you really have a shot at the playoffs. Figure out all of your scoring scenarios - whether you play by rotisserie rules or head to head style. If you are on the brink, attempt to make a last minute deal or waiver claim to bolster your weaker positions.
If playing strict rotisserie scoring, the question you must ask yourself is how many points can you gain in certain categories? If the categories are tight and ten or fifteen RBI's will gain you a few points, you are in business. However, if you are fifty RBI's behind the next team then you can't expect to gain many points. If it appears that the categories are tight enough to gain some points, perhaps playing for '98 is in your interest.
Project your best-case scenario. Based on predicting your best possible outcome in each category. Add up the possible points you could gain in a best-case scenario. Then divide that best case scenario number by half to get a realistic gain. Usually owners are too optimistic about their team and how much they can gain. If you, for example, have 40 points and project your best-case scenario as 60 points, take the 20-point gain and divide by half for 10 points. Realistically you will have 50 points. Evaluate this number and see if it puts you where you want to be at season's end. If 50 points did not put you in the hypothetical money or near it, then play for 1999.
If you make the playoffs, a new consideration is what full-time players will miss significant time after August 31, in lieu of a younger prospect on a rebuilding team or a team that has locked up their own division. You must take this into account when setting up your playoff roster. When in doubt, put your best players in, without regard for playing time.
Don't forget to study the pitching rotations either, especially in the head to head format. Start all of your aces every week of course, but flip flop all the others to make sure you get two starts from the back of you rotation. This is extremely critical to make up extra points in the volatile pitching department. Be careful though, this strategy could backfire in the rotisserie category scoring if your marginal starters get hammered twice in that week. If you are close in ERA and WHIP, back off. If you are way down in those categories, go for it.
Another way to improve your team for the playoffs is to acquire players from a team out of contention or who is rebuilding for next season. You may have to mortgage your future to win now. Always think in those terms. Worry about next year… next year. There are so many factors involved in a trade that it is difficult to give good advice. Most fantasy players are worried that the trade is not even and are afraid of getting "ripped off." Well, in some cases it is okay because a trade can sometimes hurt your opponents more than yourself.
A final concern is the injury rehabs and younger players expected to see a significant increase in playing time in September. The critical thing to remember about players such as these is the unpredictable nature of their performance in the playoffs.
