Do you prefer playing in pitcher ballparks or hitter ballparks? Personally, I prefer playing in pitcher parks. Below are some tips that I have learned:
1. It is better to have a player with more on-base coming exclusively from hits in the second or third spot of the line-up and to have a lead-off with a bit less of on-base.
2. Avoid sluggers with several BP(Ball Park) home runs. Of the one or two sluggers that will make your team, go for those players with the most direct home runs.
3. In pitcher parks where the on-base is high (AT&T Park, Fenway Park), a good strategy is to turn to players with many doubles and triples.
4. For pitchers look for WHIPS that are composed of short singles and walks. A pitcher that gives up some BP home runs is fine in a pitcher park but pitchers that give up a lot of long singles (SI**) and doubles will be a problem. Also, a good hold rating is important since stealing becomes a little more important in a pitcher park.
5. Good defense up the middle
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
My home ballpark is 1-2 singles both ways (an extreme pitchers’ park, singles-wise), and slightly favors lefty over righty sluggers, with 1-11 home runs for lefties and 1-7 for righties. I’m hoping my pitching staff will do well in this park, headed by Ervin Santana, James Shields, and Justin Duchscherer, but they (and one of my three co-closers, Joe Nathan) have some diamond problems, especially against lefties. My bigger issue may be generally low on base through the lineup, and some weak defense, though.
Can you explain point 1. I assume the lead off hitter should have high OBP, but its okay to have walks. But you want the 2 and 3 hitters to have a high BA and OBP to advance the runner/drive him in.