FanGraphs: The Game Strategies

FanGraphs: The Game has been available for public consumption for almost two weeks now, so it’s about time some strategies were explored. Chime in with your own strategic ideas in the comments.

1. If you don’t have anything nice to say, don’t say anything at all
Because there is a 162-game limit for each player you create, there are going to be days in which you do not need to select someone to represent you. If you don’t see a matchup you like at a price you feel good about, there’s no need to force someone to represent you and post negative WAR because of it. This is especially true early on, when you are trying to get a feel for how players have developed and will ultimately perform this year.

2. Ballparks are a huge deal
Since WAR is built on FIP and not xFIP, homers are going to be what kills pitchers. Anytime you get a good pitcher playing in places like Petco, Safeco, PNC, or O.Co, you’re going to want to take advantage of it, even if it costs you an extra dollar or two then you were planning on spending.

3. Rested relievers are a good bet
Picking relievers is a major crapshoot, but there’s something you can do to maximize your odds of having your bullpen member enter the game. Relievers who haven’t pitched in a few days are much more likely to enter the game in any situation, including a blowout, since they need to get their work in.

4. Platoons
Of course, you should try to take advantage of platoon splits whenever possible. I assume you already knew that.

5. Check the lineups!
If you select a player and he doesn’t start, you might as well have taken your budget, doused it in lighter fluid, thrown it in a dumpster where a hobo sleeps, and lit it on fire. Finding a website that posts lineups for all games in a timely manner can be difficult, but I’ve found Baseball Press is as reliable as they come. And no, they did not pay me to say that.