Moral Dilemna: When to root for/against your fantasy player?
If life were simple then one could root for their favorite team and everyone on their fantasy roster all the time, unfortunately life is not that simple, and the joys of fantasy sports comes with a few pitfalls. Here are some instances where you might be put in an uncomfortable position:
1) Batter vs. Pitcher
What happens when you're fantasy batter lines up against your fantasy pitcher? Do you root for the strikeout? Do you look at the scoreboard and say oh the pitcher has a big lead give up a solo home run? Is the best case scenario a single and then giving up a steal? Are you spending way too much time overthinking this?
SimonSays: Typically root for the pitcher, as the batter has many more opportunities to succeed within a week than does a pitcher. So when Derrick Turnbow is on for a save and he's facing Brian Giles, root for Turnbow. Plus he has sweet hair.
2) Pitcher vs. Pitcher.
Here's a painful scenario for every fantasy owner. When two of your starters go up against each other what do you want? Do you want both to pitch well and endanger a no decision for both or do you sit there and see one pitcher going slightly arry and think alright C.C., Buehrle's given up a few hopefully he'll give up a few more, and it's time for your fat ass to shut the door. Do you sacrifice ERA for a surefire victory?
SimonSays: Go for the victory, the win is the most important stat, so once one pitcher gets a lead start rooting for him and hope he pitches well.
3) The Hated Rival.
On draft day, are you a Red Sox fan who somehow wound up with Mariano Rivera? Did you sit there on draft day and think he's the best closer in baseball but man do I hate him and want him to fail on every occasion? When he gets a save is it bittersweet, do you think to yourself man I wish he blew that save?
SimonSays: Don't necessarily avoid drafting players from teams you do not like because it is stupid to avoid players who can benefit your team, one rule I do have is that if I want a player to get injured ala Curt Schilling then I can't have him on my team because on every start I hope he blows out his ankle.
4) Picking Favorites
When watching your favorite team with runners on 2nd and 3rd do you start hoping Jeter walks so that your fantasy stud Sheffield gets up with the bases loaded? Are you disappointed when Jeter knocks in the two runners with a single, thus taking away Sheffield's rbi opportunities.
SimonSays: Ya, I do this a lot, its pretty ridiculous, just try not to overthink it.
5) The Fantasy vs.Reality
Now here's a big issue, what do you do when your player is facing your favorite team? Say you had Jeremy Bonderman lining up against your beloved Yankees on Memorial Day. Do you need a good start more than you want the Yankees to get off to a great series start. Do you sit there and think well maybe Bonderman can strike out 10 and only give up one run through 8 innings and I atleast can get a good outing from him. Do you sit there while he's giving up his 4th run and think alright Yanks I think you've damaged my ERA enough for the day just cruise in for the victory.
SimonSays: Don't be a pansy, you've rooted for the team your whole life, you're only going to root for the player on your fantasy team this year, root for your team. Unless your team is the Royals in which case I think the owner cares more about his fantasy club than his actual club so you should do the same
If life were simple then one could root for their favorite team and everyone on their fantasy roster all the time, unfortunately life is not that simple, and the joys of fantasy sports comes with a few pitfalls. Here are some instances where you might be put in an uncomfortable position:
1) Batter vs. Pitcher
What happens when you're fantasy batter lines up against your fantasy pitcher? Do you root for the strikeout? Do you look at the scoreboard and say oh the pitcher has a big lead give up a solo home run? Is the best case scenario a single and then giving up a steal? Are you spending way too much time overthinking this?SimonSays: Typically root for the pitcher, as the batter has many more opportunities to succeed within a week than does a pitcher. So when Derrick Turnbow is on for a save and he's facing Brian Giles, root for Turnbow. Plus he has sweet hair.
2) Pitcher vs. Pitcher.
Here's a painful scenario for every fantasy owner. When two of your starters go up against each other what do you want? Do you want both to pitch well and endanger a no decision for both or do you sit there and see one pitcher going slightly arry and think alright C.C., Buehrle's given up a few hopefully he'll give up a few more, and it's time for your fat ass to shut the door. Do you sacrifice ERA for a surefire victory?
SimonSays: Go for the victory, the win is the most important stat, so once one pitcher gets a lead start rooting for him and hope he pitches well.
3) The Hated Rival.
On draft day, are you a Red Sox fan who somehow wound up with Mariano Rivera? Did you sit there on draft day and think he's the best closer in baseball but man do I hate him and want him to fail on every occasion? When he gets a save is it bittersweet, do you think to yourself man I wish he blew that save?SimonSays: Don't necessarily avoid drafting players from teams you do not like because it is stupid to avoid players who can benefit your team, one rule I do have is that if I want a player to get injured ala Curt Schilling then I can't have him on my team because on every start I hope he blows out his ankle.
4) Picking Favorites
When watching your favorite team with runners on 2nd and 3rd do you start hoping Jeter walks so that your fantasy stud Sheffield gets up with the bases loaded? Are you disappointed when Jeter knocks in the two runners with a single, thus taking away Sheffield's rbi opportunities.
SimonSays: Ya, I do this a lot, its pretty ridiculous, just try not to overthink it.
5) The Fantasy vs.Reality
Now here's a big issue, what do you do when your player is facing your favorite team? Say you had Jeremy Bonderman lining up against your beloved Yankees on Memorial Day. Do you need a good start more than you want the Yankees to get off to a great series start. Do you sit there and think well maybe Bonderman can strike out 10 and only give up one run through 8 innings and I atleast can get a good outing from him. Do you sit there while he's giving up his 4th run and think alright Yanks I think you've damaged my ERA enough for the day just cruise in for the victory.SimonSays: Don't be a pansy, you've rooted for the team your whole life, you're only going to root for the player on your fantasy team this year, root for your team. Unless your team is the Royals in which case I think the owner cares more about his fantasy club than his actual club so you should do the same
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