Successful fantasy baseball managers are always looking for ways to gain an edge, and one of the oldest strategies in the game is taking advantage of splits. Savvy owners have long used platoons, pairing hitters who mash left-handed pitching with those who excel against righties. Others look for favorable ballparks, making sure to start players when they're at Coors Field or in other hitter-friendly environments.
Rarely, however, do fantasy managers encounter a starting pitcher who should almost exclusively be used at home. That appears to be the case this season with Seattle Mariners right-hander Bryan Woo.
On the surface, Woo has the talent to be an ace, but a closer look reveals just how dramatic his home-and-road splits have become.
Away from Seattle, Woo has struggled mightily. Through eight road starts, he has managed just one victory while posting an ERA approaching 6.00. He has surrendered seven home runs and recorded only 36 strikeouts. Opposing hitters have batted .278 against him, suggesting his struggles have been even worse than the traditional numbers indicate.
Back at T-Mobile Park, however, Woo has looked like one of the premier pitchers in baseball.
In seven home starts, he has compiled a perfect 5-0 record with a sparkling 2.00 ERA. He has allowed only two home runs and seven walks while striking out 52 batters. Opponents have managed just a .154 batting average against him, making him one of the most dominant home pitchers in the league.
Those numbers create an interesting opportunity for fantasy managers.
Because his overall statistics are weighed down by his road performances, some frustrated owners may be willing to sell low. That creates a chance for attentive fantasy players to acquire a pitcher with ace-level production — as long as they are willing to manage him properly.
The key is simple: deploy Woo when he's pitching in Seattle and exercise caution when he's scheduled to take the mound elsewhere.
Sometimes fantasy championships are won not by finding stars, but by finding the right situations. Right now, Bryan Woo and the friendly confines of Seattle represent one of the most intriguing combinations in fantasy baseball.