ESPN Fantasy Baseball Challenge differs from traditional fantasy baseball leagues.
In this game you select one position player for each position as well as a team pitching staff.
Players score points based on their efforts in real-life baseball games, and your goal is to amass the most points while keeping your team’s salary cap under $50 million. Many people who are new to fantasy baseball feel overwhelmed by the daily requirements of managing a roster. With this game you can choose to either play the daily or weekly game depending on how comfortable and committed you are.
I have compiled 10 tips below that will familiarize you with the game and how you can be successful managing your roster daily or weekly. If nothing else you can create a group and invite friends and play for local bragging rights.
10. Do not lock in players. This will only create a DNP (Did Not Play) and typically this isn’t worth the little salary you will save…
9. Know your competition. If you are playing among friends will they continue to update there roster even on weekends?
8. Catcher is the wildcard position. Many catchers will not play a day game after catching the previous night. Many pitchers only pitch to certain catchers so look for the trends. If all else fails select the catcher with the lowest salary and use the remaining salary to upgrade your value at other positions.
7. Look for new players and salary changes. As the salaries rise you will need to look for bargains.
6. Know your ballparks. There are pitchers and hitters parks…
Hitter Parks
Colorado
Texas
Cincinnati
Philadelphia
Boston
Pitcher Parks
Washington
San Diego
NY Mets
LA Dodgers
Florida
5. Take chances against popular pitchers. Don’t wait too long to make your move as the salaries rise it gets harder to select a good team under the cap.
4. The top of the batting order usually gets an extra at bat which will make a big difference in the long run…
3. Do your lineups as late as possible so you can check on late injuries and weather changes to avoid DNPS…
2. Make use of the batter/pitcher matchups and learn your platoon players…
1. Watch for doubleheaders it is your chance to make a big move using players you think will play both games. You can find an updated listing of MLB doubleheaders by following this link http://sports.espn.go.com/mlb/stats/doubleheaders
