Roto Arcade - Fantasy

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__18/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-382822267-1253806745.jpg?ymZaS8BDUkFbQ_W6If you're still reading baseball content on September 24, then you've obviously had a good year – maybe not great just yet, but good.

And if you're still reading baseball content, let's assume that you've also figured out the following things: Juan Uribe(notes) has been obscenely hot (1.078 OPS in September), Brian Duensing(notes) keeps winning (5-0 in his last seven games), John Smoltz(notes) and Tim Hudson(notes) can be safely started (12 IP, eight Ks, 3.00 ERA combined on Wednesday), Will Venable(notes) remains useful (12 HR, six steals), Matt Wieters(notes) is raking at the best possible time (.366/.425/.549 this month), Randy Choate(notes) may poach a save if lefties are up (five for the year), Adam LaRoche(notes) is doing his usual second-half thing (.332/.394/.588 post-ASB), Drew Stubbs(notes) is an unstoppable power/speed machine (two more steals on Wednesday) and Milton Bradley(notes) is very sorry (but not really). 

Also, Brad Lidge(notes) is a run-making plague, but Charlie Manuel can't quit him.

Today, instead of digging deep into stories we've already told, let's talk year-end fantasy strategy. Not all of the tips below will apply to your specific situation, of course. If we've missed something (unlikely, but you never know) please share your secret knowledge and favorite end-of-season tactics in comments. Or charm us with a haiku!

Know your tiebreakers

Every season, owners are blindsided by the Yahoo! tiebreaking system. Everything you need to know can be found buried in the game rules. The first Yahoo! tiebreaker is ERA, then AVG, then WHIP. If you finish the head-to-head week tied 5-5, but your team's ERA is worse than your opponent's, then you lose. You don't share the title. You lose.  

If a player doesn't have a game today, then he can't help you today

That seems obvious enough, but owners are still holding replacement-level fantasy talent on their benches during off-days. It's brutally wasteful. Don't let your loyalty to Mike Cameron(notes) prevent you from reaching a games max. Only 20 teams are in action next Monday, so plan to add/drop on Sunday. (Schedule here). On Thursday, just 22 teams take the field. (Schedule). The Cubs and Pirates play a double-header next Wednesday, too. Every at-bat matters, gamers. 

It's possible (and legal) to exceed a games or innings max

http://a323.yahoofs.com/ymg/ept_sports_fantasy_experts__18/ept_sports_fantasy_experts-477506040-1253810561.jpg?ymBWT8BD.vWzJodKAgain, we'll consult the official rules: "All players active on the day a maximum is reached will receive credit for their stats."

Let's say that your rotisserie league has an innings maximum of 1250, and your squad is at 1248.1 IP. Depending on the impact that a few extra wins or Ks might have, you may want to load up on probable starters. Every stat accumulated on the day you reach the innings max will count. In the Friends & Family League, I just did the mass-add of starting pitchers in preparation for hit-the-limit day. (And then I later dropped half my pitching staff, picking up a few of the best available bats). The end result is that my team will finish the year 28 innings beyond the max (pictured). With any luck, that move will net me an extra point. With incredible luck, I'll get an extra 1.5. Thanks, Kevin Correia(notes).

Please note that this innings/games max maneuver isn't cheating, nor is it a loophole. These are simply the rules. We're playing a game, and you need to actively manage.

When facing a streamer, stream a day ahead

If you're in a head-to-head league and you're matched up against an owner who adds five new probable starters each day, then take away the best options a day in advance. (Or two days in advance. Whatever it takes). This requires you to scan the Scores & Schedule page each day. For example, it might be wise to remove Saturday starter Tom Gorzelanny(notes) (at SF) from the free agent pool now, leaving your opponent to choose between, say, Jason Berken(notes) (at CLE) or Lenny DiNardo(notes) (vs. MIN).

There are no bonus points for a 10-0 win

By the final days, you might find yourself in position to guarantee a 6-4 win in the head-to-head finals – or a 5-5 win, per the note above – by benching everyone. If that's the case, just take the win. Go to the kneel-down, the "--empty--" formation. In the regular season, you're trying to win every possible category each week in order to secure a bye. However, in the playoffs, you're only looking to come out ahead, even if the margin is close.

Similarly, if you're facing an owner who's punting a category, don't worry about piling on stats. If your opponent doesn't carry a closer, then you'll likely only need one save to take the category. (Call it two just to be perfectly safe, to guard against flukiness). Every stat you get beyond what's necessary to win is simply waste. 

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Photo via Getty Images 

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  1. Lee Majors
    1. Posted by Lee Majors Thu Sep 24, 2009 1:40 pm EDT

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    Apologies for the late delivery. Technical difficulties today. Had to relocate.
  2. darhause82
    2. Posted by darhause82 Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:15 pm EDT

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    Last?
  3. Carl R
    3. Posted by Carl R Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:16 pm EDT

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    That's a money tip on the innings max, Behrens. Might be critical in my league. Makes me willing to apologize for my Wieters rant earlier in the week (Wieters is making me eat crow, so I feel dumb enough).
  4. The Fresh One
    4. Posted by The Fresh One Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:17 pm EDT

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    Exactly right. Each week I lock up R's, HR's, SB's. and RBI. I always lose BA, and don't carry any closers. Last week, on Wednesday I was sure that I had ERA and WHIP locked up, so I sat my starters the next 4 days, beat last year's champion 5-4 (he managed to tie me in HR's, but even if he tied me in two categories, I still had the ERA tiebreaker), and am now in the championship game, streaming my ass off because after yesterday I realized I probably couldn't win ERA/WHIP this week. So I'll take K's and W's along with all offensive categories except BA and win 6-4. Gimme dat paper.
  5. million_dollar_sleeper
    5. Posted by million_dollar_sleeper Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:20 pm EDT

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    phillies lead
    charlie calls in lidge
    phillies lose
  6. jlv212121
    6. Posted by jlv212121 Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:23 pm EDT

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    love the info , been loyal all year to closing time, even though this time of year seems its harder to find the articles. lol ! thanks !
  7. jake_lamotta1
    7. Posted by jake_lamotta1 Thu Sep 24, 2009 2:51 pm EDT

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    Good H2H end-game primer, Andy. Unfortunately my roto finish (competitive with the guy 1 spot behind me in 3 categories) is at least as excruciating!
  8. Milkman
    8. Posted by Milkman Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:35 pm EDT

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    This pparticular column didn't speak to my situation, but I am leading my 12-team roto league by a 13-point margin (current after a Bronson Arroyo win). Closing Time has been a must read all year. Please post an address so I can give you 20-percent of the winnings...
    ...okay that obviously isn't going to happen, but please accept my heartfelt compliments on an informative and entertaining column this season.
  9. shoelessjoes1
    9. Posted by shoelessjoes1 Thu Sep 24, 2009 3:37 pm EDT

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    thank you for the info!
  10. Admiral Cowpollock
    10. Posted by Admiral Cowpollock Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:05 pm EDT

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    Darn you Behrens! I knew all this stuff -- now my opponents do too! Thanks a lot PAL ... :)
    Flashback to last season. I played the max IP gambit. I had less than 1 IP left but with the loophole-that's-not-a-loophole I started five SPs. Incredibly, on the final day, I netted FOUR Ws and a bunch of Ks and leapt 2.5 points to win 1st place by 0.5 points. Oooooooh how sweet it was!
    Good luck to all gamers, may all your streams come true ...
  11. Admiral Cowpollock
    11. Posted by Admiral Cowpollock Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:07 pm EDT

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    Darn you Behrens! I knew all this stuff -- now my opponents do too! Thanks a lot PAL ... :)
    Flashback to last season. I played the max IP gambit. I had less than 1 IP left but with the loophole-that's-not-a-loophole I started five SPs. Incredibly, on the final day, I netted FOUR Ws and a bunch of Ks and leapt 2.5 points to win 1st place by 0.5 points. Oooooooh how sweet it was!
    Good luck to all gamers, may all your streams come true ...
  12. Groom
    12. Posted by Groom Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:11 pm EDT

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    Also, in a roto league you can pass max games for positional players.
    For example the OF slot has a 486 game max, if u get it to 485 games and then play 3 OF you will get 488 games!!
    Plus when one of your other positions gets to 161 games see if there's a doubleheader on the radar, if your player plays both games you will get 163 games out of the position!!!!!!
  13. Groom
    13. Posted by Groom Thu Sep 24, 2009 4:27 pm EDT

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    And don't get too cute with the max innings loophole.
    Don't get to 1248 innings and play your closer to sneak it up to 1249 only to see him pitch 2 innings in an extra innings game and leave you stranded on 1250.......
  14. Tony M
    14. Posted by Tony M Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    everyone cries and calls foul play in my league when i'm the only one employing these types of strategies. it pays to be a behrens fan.
  15. Mark G
    15. Posted by Mark G Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:13 pm EDT

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    Thanks to Andy and staff for providing daily articles concerning fantasy baseball and its glory. I always dread when football comes around because thats all anyone talks about (even though it takes relatively little skill and all kinds of luck), but you have made holding onto the last days of summer worthwhile. Thank you.
  16. The Fresh One
    16. Posted by The Fresh One Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:21 pm EDT

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    Lidge is like Mahoney from that commercial where the ump extends the game so those dudes can stay at the bar longer.
  17. francaisutah
    17. Posted by francaisutah Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:23 pm EDT

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    Curse you Andy Behrens!!! I sure hope the guy I'm playing in the finals does NOT read your column... Things are going really well up to this point. You better not screw it up for me.
  18. Boone
    18. Posted by Boone Thu Sep 24, 2009 5:36 pm EDT

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    nice article, a vet like me knows these things, but then again I probably got that info from you a couple of years ago, I appreciate you guys sticking with us baseball geeks to the bitter end, BTW Thornton is the new closer on the south side, not Dotel
  19. Groom
    19. Posted by Groom Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:33 pm EDT

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    blah blah to those cursing behrens...... theres a similar column every year...................
  20. jthomas8407
    20. Posted by jthomas8407 Thu Sep 24, 2009 6:58 pm EDT

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    I am in a head to head, weekly lineup change, league with a 25 inning minimum for pitchers and a two week championship. We have the ability to change our lineup for next Monday. Does anyone in a similar setup know if the 25 inning minimum will be for the two weeks or if it will jump to 50? I have a substantial lead in ERA, WHIP, saves and my opponent doesnt have any closers. Thanks.
  21. casey o
    21. Posted by casey o Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:05 pm EDT

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    wish my league allowed add/drop in the playoffs so i could stream...unfortunatley we have to have our lineups set the day the playoffs begin and cant add or drop unless a substantial injury to a player occurs. Thanks for keeping closing time up while everyone runs to check their football teams, all of us championship teams appreciate it. Behren s you and Pianow have done a stellar job this year covering the daily going-ons in baseball(wish i could say the same for Funston). I definately owe part of success (and shortcomings) to you guys
  22. deen
    22. Posted by deen Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:23 pm EDT

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    My strategy is very simple :
    Stay active..Lol but its true, I dont play match ups and I dont stream and ive won 26 trophys soon to be 30 in a week..
  23. deen
    23. Posted by deen Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:24 pm EDT

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    Oh, I guess 1 strategy I use besides staying active is I dont knee jerk and drop good players when they struggle..
  24. deen
    24. Posted by deen Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:25 pm EDT

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    Oh, I guess 1 strategy I use besides staying active is I dont knee jerk and drop good players when they struggle..
  25. Spud
    25. Posted by Spud Thu Sep 24, 2009 7:30 pm EDT

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    I am glad that you clarified that adding pitchers on reaching max IP day is not cheating. Believe it or not the commissioner of our league last year called me a cheat and it resulted in the breakup of a league that had been together for 5 years. I e-mailed this article to him.

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Roto Arcade is a fantasy sports blog edited by Andy Behrens. Email him, and follow him on Twitter.

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