Making the playoffs is the major goal in any league - once you'rethere, you always have a chance to make something special happen.
Making the Playoffs
- For the default league setup, the two top teams from each of the four divisions qualifies for the playoffs. The selection is based on the following tiebreaker criteria:
- Overall record
- Divisional win percentage
- Run differential
- Total runs scored
- Total runs allowed
- A flip of a coin, if all else is equal
Playoff Format
- Playoffs consist of multiple rounds, each played in a best-of-seven format (first team to win 4 games wins the series).
- There are rest days after Games 2 and 5. The team with home-field advantage hosts Games 1, 2, 6 and 7.
- The specific playoff structure (number of rounds, teams per round) varies by league format.
Typical Playoff Structure (when applicable)
- Division Championship Series (DCS) - Top teams from each division
- League Championship Series (LCS) - Winners of division series
- World Series - Winners of league series
Determining Home Field Advantage
Home-field in all playoff rounds is determined by overall playoff seeding, which is calculated as follows:
- Division Winners vs. Wild Cards - All division winners are seeded ahead of all wild card teams, regardless of record
- Overall win-loss record - Teams with better records get higher seeds
- Division win-loss record - Used as first tiebreaker
- Run differential - Used as final tiebreaker
Note: Some leagues may use random playoff seeding instead of record-based seeding.
Managing Your Playoff Pitching Rotations
In the playoffs, managing a pitching rotation varies from the regular season due to the additional days off and extended off-season rest.
- Your regular season rotation order will continue into the playoffs unless adjusted manually.
- The rotation order follows from the previous round as you move onto the next one - the simplest way to remember who you next pitcher is is the "Next Tag" on the lineup page.
- A 3-man rotation can often be utilized given the high competitive nature of playoffs, but it will need to be organized manually. To do so, you move your Game 1 and 2 starters to positions 4 and 5, respectively, after their initial games, then repeat. This ensures your top three starters play all games if in order:
- Consider assigning remaining starters to the bullpen. If your closer is underperforming, your 4th best starter might be a good fit. Alternatively, they can be deployed in middle and long relief roles should your main starters falter.