Without question, this will be the most unbelievable sentence that I have written this entire year. We are down to the final week of the fantasy baseball regular season. At least, for most fantasy leagues it is. What started out as a promising season has now come down to this. For many managers, they can’t wait for the postseason, as they have clinched a spot. There are just as many, however, that are fighting for their very playoff lives. Never fear, as that is where this Fantasy Playoff Survival Strategies edition comes into focus.

As has been the case this year, debate and discussion are highly encouraged. Are there other strategies that aren’t mentioned that should have been? Are there any disagreements? Let’s get them out in the open! Without waiting another second, let’s get into it.

This is No Time to Wait on a Player

With only a week left, this is not the time to wait on a player to produce. If one isn’t giving you what you need to win your matchup and there is a better option on waivers, he has to go. Of course it would be terrible for a dropped player to go off against you in the playoffs. However, it would be far worse to be watching from the outside looking in.

Right off the bat, someone like Randy Arozarena comes to mind. He was traded to the Mariners this summer, but it simply hasn’t gone well for him or the team. As of this moment, in his last seven games, Arozarena has one hit in 31 at bats. Even worse, he had a five strikeout game. No doubt, he is highly rostered. Even so, if he isn’t hitting the ball and your team is suffering because of it, send him to the wire. Obviously, this goes for pitchers as well. Not enough production= waiver jungle.

Keep a Sharp Eye on the Schedule

Without question, this step is of vital importance. Which teams are playing the White Sox, Mariners or Miami Marlins this week? Look to see which players (especially starting pitchers) from those teams are available. Once that has been accomplished, get them on the team before your opponent does.

Further, don’t forget to check for the entire scoring period. Getting the jump on your fellow manager could be the difference between joining the playoff party or getting left out in the cold.

How Many Teams Are Playing Thursday?

Throughout this entire season, baseball has decided that less is more on Thursdays. Often, there are only a few games scheduled. Further, those games often start in the early afternoon. For those on the West Coast, that could present a problem. In most leagues, once the first game of the day has started, no other moves can be made for that day.

Certainly, there are players on the wire that are taking the field that day. Significantly, they could replace those on the roster who are not only not playing, but haven’t been that great when they have played. For sure, don’t just drop players to make moves. However, open slots in the lineup won’t pay any dividends when it comes to making the playoffs.

Manage Your Starting Pitchers

Finally, on this Fantasy Playoff Survival Strategies edition comes this tidbit. In many leagues, there is a limit on the number of starters that can be used in a scoring period. By now, all managers know what that limit is. For example, in standard ESPN leagues, 12 is the limit. However, that is a soft, not concrete, number. If a manager hasn’t used up all 12 starts by Saturday, there is an unlimited number of starters that can used on Sunday. It is a feature that is unique to ESPN leagues.

On the other hand, if the 12 start limit is reached on or before Saturday, no other starters can be used the rest of the scoring period. Obviously, you don’t want to be caught on the wrong side of this limit. Use your pitching staff with this limit in mind the entire week.

In other leagues, be sure to manage the team with any limitations in mind. It would be a shame to miss the postseason because a limit was reached that could have been otherwise avoided.

The Last Word

Thank you for joining me for this Fantasy Playoff Survival Strategies edition! Follow me on X (formerly Twitter) @kevin62wilsea. Please feel free to share this article. Be sure to turn to bellyupsports.com/ and bellyupfantasysports.com/ for all the MLB, NBA, NFL, NHL happenings and the latest sports news!

I am a co-host of The Sports Stove Fantasy Baseball Show. The show will be live every Sunday at 8 pm Eastern from here to the end of the fantasy baseball season. Don’t miss a single episode! Check out our latest show, dedicated to fantasy baseball strategies, pickups, drops and more here.