If you are part gamer part collector like me, you have two goals. One I have talked extensively about in collecting and trading, the other not so much. I want to take some time to talk about gathering cards for top gameplay.

First you have to assess your collection. Its actually good to have multiple copies of some cards, especially starting pitchers. I would take an inventory and see which pitchers you need to get to 9 copies (the maximum amount of cards you can play at once).

Here are some pitchers I would chase – strike out guys with low ERAs:

• Cueto
• Darvish
• Lester
• Leake
• Teheran
• Samardizja
• G Richards
• Scherzer

All these guys are readily available in the game and can get you to a ton of points if you have multiple copies. When they start – have them in the lineup starting with the top level and work your way down.

1. See who is starting on MLB.com and at what time
2. If you have more than 9 of one player, start your golds, then your silvers, reds and then greens before you add commons
3. If you are planning to play along while the game is going on, see who is on the field – consider all players who are currently pitching as one – start with gold and work your way until you hit common.
4. Consider WHIP as a good statistic for points potential (lower the better), including K/9 and other stats like total strikeouts.
5. Remember to keep enough plays in your queue so that you can change out a guy if he gets rocked, or has bases loaded and no out.
6. Feel free to take risks like starting guys with high ERAs and WHIPs, but monitor the games closely to avoid major negative point damage.

Pitchers score the most points for getting outs and getting strikeouts. Any type of extra base hit will severely detract from point totals as long as the pitcher is in your starting lineup. Home runs are killers, so if a pitcher has a propensity to give up the long ball, STAY FAR AWAY.

The most important thing is to not give up on a pitcher who has one bad inning. It will happen. There will be at least one per game, and if you can get him out of the lineup as its happening, you can easily avoid the negative points.

At a minimum, check your line up with each new phase of the daily schedule, which will allow you to score the most points possible for switching out your guys. Once the first round of games is done, take all those pitchers out of the lineup and put in the next round of starters.

To trade for pitchers, you will likely need to go 3 hitters to 1 active starting pitcher. More if they are starting that day, or are a good pitcher.  Plan ahead and ask for guys who are pitching the next few days. Offer your cards above 10 copies for the ones you dont have.

If you have more questions, let me know.