2017 FGM Playoffs -- An Overview

[Flash]

The FGM regular season has ended and now the playoffs begin with the AL and NL Wild Card matchups.

In the American League, the 4th seed, Los Angeles Angels (110-52), after many years of rebuilding, find themselves matched up against the 5th seed, Chicago White Sox (105-57), last year's FGM runner-up.

In the National League, the 4th seed is the defending champion Chicago Cubs (109-53) pitted against the 5th seed, San Francisco Giants (106-56).  The Giants edged the Milwaukee Brewers by a single game to be a part of the Wild Card Round.

More to come as the Wild Card Round unfolds regarding the ALDS/NLDS, the ALCS/NLCS and the FGM World Series.

[jpmanchester]

Looks like Tanaka is back just in time for a revenge matchup!

[Flash]

The Wild Card matchups were not competitive in either league, as the Angels and Cubs doubled the scores of their opponents.  Thus, both #5 seeds, the White Sox and Giants have been eliminated, with the Angels and Cubs advancing to the Division Series against the #1 seeds.  Here are the ALDS and NLDS matchups:

ALDS Matchups:

#4 Los Angeles Angels vs #1 Baltimore Orioles
#3 Detroit Tigers vs #2 Seattle Mariners

NLDS Matchups:

#4 Chicago Cubs vs #1 Philadelphia Phillies
#3 St. Louis Cardinals vs #2 Los Angeles Dodgers

Note: Tiebreaker for non-division teams is points scored
Phillies are NL #1 seed because of most points scored.

[papps]

My team waits until the playoffs to fall apart.  Everyone is hurt and the other starters are being benched this week.  Go figure! 

[Flash]

My team waits until the playoffs to fall apart.  Everyone is hurt and the other starters are being benched this week.  Go figure! 

Injuries, call-ups, and "slumps" are the variables which govern all of us "fantasy geeks".  Last week the Cubs destroyed my Giants because Hoskins led a hitting barrage that culminated in 1500 total points.  This week, with two days to go, they have a 70 point lead with only 702 points!  (Sorry papps!) Meanwhile, last week, my Giants had three starters on the DL, and although the pitching matchup was a wash, the Cubs cruised to victory with their hot hitters.  Not an excuse, just an example of how the Fantasy Gods toy with us.

With that, I recall that last season, my Giants finished strong.  I was pretty confident after the Wild Card matchup, but then, for whatever reason, all of my players forgot how to hit and were unceremoniously bounced out of the playoffs by these same Cubs.  Such is the way for all of us as we watch our teams jump on the wild ride of the playoffs.  Heartburn and frustration aside, it's safe to say, we wouldn't have it any other way.

Now, in our current Division Series, with two days to go until the next round, the Orioles and Dodgers seem comfortably assured of advancing, with the other two matchups in doubt.  Here's what we got:

American League

DET 512 vs SEA 676

LAA 734 vs BAL 1291

National League

CHC 702 vs PHI 632

STL 339 vs LAD 1119

[jpmanchester]

Cubbies are getting lucky at just the right time. Hoskins plus all of our pitchers finally coming off the DL last week is making for a competitive playoffs!

[BHows]

At this point the Dodgers are officially "Cautiously Optimistic". We've been in this position before and it hasn't worked out well!

[papps]

My Phillies are an absolute disgrace. So thrilled my team waited until the playoffs to have our worst week of the season. Typical Phillies.

Good luck to the teams still in it! Great season guys.

[kidd5jersey]

I feel the same.  The injuries and 'buzzsaw' hit me the first month of the year.  By the time Tampa recovered, I was too far out.  Needless to say, Tampa turned into a big seller which was very disappointing.  Next year, we hope to make some serious noise in the AL East.

[Flash]

The Angels, Tigers, Cardinals, and Phillies are to be congratulated for a fine season.  It is encouraging to see the Angels and Tigers reach the Division Series.  As frustrating as it is for the Phillies, they are a team who went through a rebuilding period and are now a perennial playoff team.  The Cardinals have been a competitive team for awhile and are a former FGM Champion.  But, as valiant as their efforts were, they were unable to advance any further.   

Here are the four teams who have advanced to the Conference Series.

Conference Series Matchups

American League

#2 Seattle Mariners vs #1 Baltimore Orioles

National League

#4 Chicago Cubs vs #2 Los Angeles Dodgers