Questions and answers

Fantasy Baseball FAQ: Step Up to the Plate

Welcome to the ultimate FAQ for Fantasy Baseball! Whether you’re drafting your first team or you’re a seasoned manager aiming for the championship, we’ve got the answers. Our experts have tackled the most common questions to help you navigate the season.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What are Injured List (IL) spots? A: IL spots allow you to temporarily remove injured players from your active roster without having to drop them. This opens up a roster spot to add a replacement player while your injured star recovers. Rules for IL eligibility vary by league.

Q: What are innings pitched (IP) limits or starts limits? A: Some leagues limit the number of innings your pitchers can accrue or the number of games started to prevent managers from streaming pitchers excessively. Understand these limits, as exceeding them can result in penalties or stats not counting.

Q: How do I manage my roster during the season? A: Daily or weekly lineup setting is crucial. You’ll need to bench players on off-days or facing tough matchups. Use the waiver wire or free agency to pick up players who are performing well or filling a short-term need. Trades with other managers are also a key way to improve your team.

Q: What is the Waiver Wire and Free Agency? A: Players not on any team roster are available either as Free Agents (can be added immediately) or on Waivers. Waiver claims usually process after a set period (e.g., 1-2 days), often using a priority system or a Free Agent Acquisition Budget (FAAB) where managers bid for players.

Q: What’s the difference between SP and RP? A: SP stands for Starting Pitcher, who typically pitch every 5 days. RP stands for Relief Pitcher, who pitch more frequently but usually for fewer innings, often in specialized roles like closers (who get Saves) or setup men.

Q: How does drafting work? A: Drafting is how you build your initial team. Common draft types include Snake drafts (draft order reverses each round) and Auction drafts (managers bid on players using a set budget). Preparation is key – understand player values, position scarcity, and your league’s specific settings before the draft starts.

Q: What are the common scoring formats in fantasy baseball? A: The most common formats are Rotisserie (Roto), Head-to-Head (H2H) Categories, and Points Leagues. Roto ranks teams based on cumulative stats in categories like Home Runs, RBIs, Wins, and ERA. H2H Categories pits teams against each other weekly, competing to win more categories. Points leagues assign point values to stats (e.g., Single = 1 point, Strikeout = 1 point) and the team with the most points wins.

Q: How do I get started with fantasy baseball? A: Getting started is simple! Download our app or sign up on the website, create your account, and join a league. Most leagues start with a draft where you select players for your team. Our platform offers mock drafts and guides to help you prepare for draft day and understand basic roster construction.

Q: How do trades work? A: You can propose trades with other managers in your league. Successful trades require negotiation and finding deals that benefit both teams. Most leagues have a trade deadline near the end of the season.

Strategic Tips for Fantasy Baseball Success

Step up your game with these essential tips:

Know the difference between Saves and Holds for relief pitchers.
Pay attention to ballpark factors and player home/road splits.
Utilize the waiver wire actively to find hot streaks and injury replacements.
Consider streaming pitchers or hitters in H2H leagues based on weekly matchups.
Monitor playing time battles and lineup positions.
Balance your offense across hitting categories (Power, Speed, Average).
Understand your league’s scoring system inside and out.

Common Mistakes to Avoid

Don’t strike out! Avoid these common fantasy baseball pitfalls:

Not having enough pitching depth.
Chasing last week’s stats on the waiver wire.
Not factoring in injury risk for certain players.
Overvaluing Saves and drafting closers too early.
Neglecting bench spots or using IL spots inefficiently.
Making panic trades after a slow start.

Fantasy Baseball Glossary

Talk the talk with these key fantasy baseball terms:

SP / RP: Starting Pitcher / Relief Pitcher. Designations for pitcher roles. FAAB: Free Agent Acquisition Budget. A fictional budget used to bid on waiver wire players. QS: Quality Start. A statistic awarded when a starting pitcher completes 6+ innings allowing 3 or fewer earned runs. H2H: Head-to-Head scoring, where teams compete against one opponent each week. Streaming: Picking up players (usually pitchers) for short-term use based on favorable matchups. Roto: Rotisserie scoring, where teams are ranked based on cumulative stats in set categories.

Need More Help?

We’re here to support your fantasy baseball season! Here’s how to get assistance:

In-App Help Desk: Access FAQs and submit support tickets directly within the app.

Email Support: Get detailed answers to your questions within 24-48 hours.

Live Chat Support: Get real-time help during peak hours (check availability).

Still Have Questions?

Our support team and community forums are great resources for any other questions. Whether you’re navigating your first season or managing multiple leagues, we’re here to help you succeed. Good luck this season!