Playoffs? Playoff?!

By Robby Wellington – Staff Writer

In fantasy football, I have long been a proponent of analyzing a player’s “playoff schedule,” who they play in weeks 14-16, and factoring it in when determining their overall value. After all, I reason, I have to assume that my team will be good enough to make my league’s playoffs, and it is fairly easy to predict what sort of fantasy output a player will have based on their opponent.

This year, for the first time, I am competing in a head-to-head fantasy baseball league with a fair amount of success. Enough success, I would say, that I feel quite confident that I will make my league’s playoffs, which cover the last four weeks of the season (three rounds, with the championship running two weeks). Now, predicting fantasy playoff success in baseball is far more difficult than in football, and less effective, for myriad reasons. However, that doesn’t mean that we can’t take a look and see who has favorable schedules over those last four weeks. After looking at all 30 teams, I’ve selected a handful of squads whose playoff matchups appear to be advantageous for either pitchers or hitters.

Pitchers

These teams have a surplus of home matchups or games at pitcher’s parks and/or against weak opponents. Boost any pitchers on these teams up a few notches in your rankings and target them in trades.

Detroit – It is highly unlikely that Detroit’s success, especially that of its staff, will continue. However, with a home-heavy schedule and road trips to Minnesota and Kansas City during the last month, the Tigers pitchers should finish strong. Hopefully, your starter will miss the three game set at U.S. Cellular Field (Chi Sox).

Florida – The Marlins play 16 of their 26 playoff games at home in one of the league’s best pitcher’s parks.

Anaheim – The Angels also have 16 home games in a pitcher’s park, along with trips to Oakland and Kansas City. However, you might want to sit your pitcher during the four game stretch at Texas.

New York Mets – The Mets get four weak-hitting opponents at home in a pitcher’s park. Their road schedule also favors pitchers as they travel to Pittsburgh, Florida, Washington and Atlanta.

Oakland – While the A’s get a couple of tough opponents at home (White Sox and Indians), their road schedule should be quite pitcher friendly as they take on Minnesota, Tampa Bay, Seattle and Anaheim (yes, I still call them Anaheim).

Hitters

Look for the lineups of these four teams to increase in productivity during the fantasy playoffs. Adjust your rankings accordingly.

St. Louis – After starting off with three games at cavernous RFK Stadium (Wash), the Cardinals enjoy 13 games at home, along with trips to hitter-friendly Chase Field (Az), Miller Park (Mil) and Minute Maid Park (Hou).

Chicago Cubs – A home-heavy schedule over the last four weeks coupled with a paltry two days off should benefit Cubs hitters. Trips to Great American (Cin) and Citizens Bank Park (Phi) shouldn’t hurt either. Hopefully Derrek Lee and Aramis Ramirez will be making some noise in the middle of the lineup come September.

Cleveland – The Indians only have one day off during playoff time, and while Jacobs Field is in fact a pitcher’s park, Cleveland gets to play in the league’s three best hitter’s parks, Ameriquest Field (Tex), U.S. Cellular Field (Chi Sox) and Rogers Centre (Tor).

New York Yankees – After a three game set against the hapless Royals, the Yankees should spend the remainder of the season slugging away against the lesser teams of the AL East (seven games against Baltimore and Tampa Bay, six against Toronto) with a three game homestand against Boston mixed in.