Playoffs Guide

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.