Every once in a while, someone takes their crack at producing the next big DFS concept. I’m always interested in learning the dynamics of each game and seeing what people were able to design so when I was given the opportunity to scope out InGame, I was thrilled. Guys, this game is top notch and I’m convinced it is about to take off. I’ve had a terrific time figuring this one out and today I’ll introduce you to the strategies so you can get an edge over the competition.

Our friends at InGame Fantasy are hosting a $250 freeroll tourney for FantasyPros readers to get acquainted with their app. You can join anytime from Thursday through Sunday night.

** Plus, the first 10 people who sign up with the promo code FPros will get a $5 signup bonus credited to their account. Download for iOS or Android at InGameFantasy.com.

Quick Game Overview

This isn’t like FanDuel where you pick your team in advance using a budget or like Draft where you do a snake draft before the games start. When you play InGame, you pick players one at-bat at a time during the game, hence the name. You get 9 outs, so that could mean you pick 9 at-bats or 25 at-bats, so long as your players keep getting on base. The goal is to score as many runs as possible with hits and total bases being useful tiebreakers. The strategy with this game is deep and there is plenty of skill involved. To me, this is the easiest DFS game to win in, but also the easiest to lose in. If you aren’t organized and paying attention, you will get stomped. However, if you stick to the gameplan, you’ll have a substantial advantage. The gameplay is just like baseball. If you draft Jose Altuve and he singles that’s a runner on first. Select Aaron Judge next, and if he goes deep, that’s a two-run homer for you.

1) Be Patient
When I first began playing this game, it was addicting to punch players into my lineup as soon as they stood on deck. I found myself putting bums like Kolten Wong in there only because he was the best option of the six ongoing games. This, friends, is how you lose. You see, I can use Bryce Harper for 4 plate appearances if I want. Or I can wait until the Coors game starts and use 12 at-bats from the middle of both orders. It is tempting to get your picks in place so that you can have constant action, but I’ll tell you, it is much more enjoyable to win. Plan out your best options, wait until they become available and pay enough attention to execute your plan.

2) Know The Slate
When you research for FanDuel, you’ve got all of your information in front of you so that you can take two straight hours and build a lineup. It is entirely different when you play InGame. You can’t just do your research and punch in a lineup. Instead, you must adjust on the fly, which is what makes this game so challenging and thus exciting. The best way to do this is to learn about every nook and corner of the evening’s slate. Which ballparks should you be avoiding? Which stadiums have the wind howling in tonight? Which starting pitchers struggle in the first inning and who gets rocked their 3rd time through the order? If you know this, you will make informed decisions with each plate appearance you choose. In this game, you’ve got to be on top of your game the entire evening.

3) Get Organized
When I begin an InGame contest, I’ve got my spreadsheet with four tabs. The first is the 15 best hitter-starting pitcher matchups ranked based on expected on-base percentage. This doesn’t mean I use Mike Trout every time, but you’d better believe Paul Goldschmidt at home against a lefty is going to make my top 5 each and every time. The second tab is my top 10 matchups based on expected isolated slugging. Sometimes seemingly random guys like Domingo Santana sit atop this list; it changes every day. My third tab has the top 30 players on the slate against left-handed pitchers and top 30 versus right-handed pitchers. This one works in accordance with the fourth tab, which consists of all the relievers and their splits, sorted by the worst against left-handed hitters in one column and the worst against right-handed batters in the second column. This will come in handy because so many of these relievers near the end of the depth chart will toss an inning or two each night, and when you have no idea who they are, being able to quickly find their numbers will come in handy. There are always four or five dream-matchups against these crummy relief pitchers late in blowout games. You have to be ready to take advantage of them.

4) Hit Three-Run Homers
Manufacturing runs when you play InGame is every bit as important and difficult as in the Majors. When you hit a single, the batter on first moves to second and so forth. Plenty of base hits are great because that means you aren’t making outs, but it really comes down to hitting homers to push those runners across home plate. I use the first tab of my spreadsheet to get two runners on base, then I’ll bring up a power hitter as soon as I’m able to accomplish that. It doesn’t matter how many outs there are, I’ll try to get that juicy three-run-homer three times if I have to because that is what wins ballgames. For what it’s worth, my strategy changes a bit with 2-outs. If I don’t have any runners on with 2-outs, I’m going for the solo bomb every time because the odds are long of getting a runner home going another route.

Bonus Tips

• Never use a hitter who has a runner on third base and one out. His odds of a sacrifice out are much higher than any other scenario.
• Be more willing to use a hitter with a speedy runner on first base because the pitcher is worried about holding him on and is more likely to leave the ball up over the plate.
• Likewise, it is a good idea to use hitters with the bases loaded because they will see much better pitches to hit since a walk scores a run.
• 8th hitters in the National League are your friends in the first five innings if no one is on base. The pitcher won’t throw him strikes with the pitcher standing on-deck.

Don’t change your strategy just because it isn’t working. Even in the best matchups, a batter is only expected to get on base around 45% of the time and a homer in ~10%. You will win some, but you will lose many. Unfortunately, you will lose more if you don’t stick to the gameplan.

Thanks for reading and good luck!

Don’t forget to check out the $250 FantasyPros freeroll at InGame Fantasy. Download for iOS or Android at InGameFantasy.com.