Playoff Futility

There are many worlds inside of this game. Even more things that are never the same throughout several worlds.

But there is always one constant and very distinct issue that happens the same in every last world in existence. Playoff futility & the frustration that goes along with it.

Why does it happen you ask? There are many reasons for it: From running into a red hot squad to getting exposed for your obvious flaws.

There are 5 things that I have noticed that can doom a supposedly "great" team in the playoffs.

1.A weak starting rotation.
2.Poor defense
3.Inability to win at home
4.Run Differential
5.Struggling late in the season(I don't mean just resting guys either)

After many seasons being on the sidelines & being forced to watch from home as it was. I've seen the overrated and the underrated come to the surface in the post season.

A prime example would be two teams from last season. The St. Louis Red Ravens and the New Orleans Mardi Gras. One has a WS title albeit to the shock of the league. The other was ousted in their first playoff series.

St. Louis had solid rotation but Garcia had not adjusted to the STL yet. The infield defense was poor all season long but the offense had bailed them out(the STL SS had committed 54 errors among other things). The Red Ravens had just a 44-37 home record, their expected winning percentage was .570(they had a .605) & finished the season 5-5.
So not only did they play poor defense, play poorly at home but their offense allowed them to win games they shouldn't have. Their issues were exposed in the playoffs & they got embarassed in the series loss.

The New Orleans franchise had one of the best balanced staffs in the league. often times it did not show on the scoreboard but it was. They possessed a sound defense. Their overall home record as not great but with their seed their road ability played a bigger part. Their expected winning percentage was .621(they had a .593 %) but they went 8-2 to end the season. The team was one of the more balanced franchises in the playoffs and that balance won out in the end.

There are ways to overcome these issues however. A weak rotation can be overcome with 2 dynamic starters and a 3rd one who is solid. With the 2-3-2 format in 7 game series if you are a lower seed being able to win on the road can shift the balance of a series. If you can win 2 of 3 at home & hold serve on the road you can win.

Poor defense cannot be hidden so your stuck there. Run differential is part of defense to a lesser degree at times and the struggles fall into the momentum catergory. You cannot turn it off and rest then try to just turn it on again in the playoffs and think your going to win. Consistency along with routine is a hidden factor in this game as well as real life. It's one thing to rest your starters and then bring em all back for the playoffs. It's a whole 'nother thing to have your guys playing but playing lacksidasically towards the end of the season after clinching a berth.

In other words. Play hard, play tough and play a full game as well as a full season.
If you cannot do that then you will not win. In short as they say "Your dynasty is what you make it"