When it comes to fantasy baseball, few formats offer the pitch-by-pitch excitement of a Points League.

As we approach the 2026 season, the landscape of Major League Baseball has shifted. With the A's temporary move to Sacramento still in effect and the full implementation of the ABS (Automated Ball-Strike) Challenge System, the "set it and forget it" strategies of the past may no longer apply.

Whether you are a points league veteran or a first-time manager, this guide will help you build a winning blueprint for the 2026 draft and in-season management.

A Winning Strategy for Fantasy Baseball Points Leagues in 2026

Understanding Points League Scoring

Before you make a single draft pick, you must audit your league's scoring settings. Unlike Rotisserie (Roto) leagues, where you balance categories, points leagues are about volume and efficiency.

In 2026, many leagues are adjusting scoring to account for the modern game (such as fewer quality starts and more "openers"). Knowing if your league rewards Holds alongside Saves or heavily penalizes Strikeouts for Hitters is critical.

Sample 2026 Scoring Format:

Hitter Scoring:

Single: 2.6

Double: 5.2

Triple: 7.8

Home Run: 10.4

Run / RBI: 1.9 / 2.6

Stolen Base: 4.2

K (Strikeout): -1.0 (Crucial check: Does your league penalize Ks?)

Pitcher Scoring:

Win: 8

Save: 8

Quality Start: 5 (Replacing or adding to Wins in many leagues)

Strikeout: 3

Earned Run: -3

Walk / Hit: -1.3

Roster Construction Considerations

In 2026, roster flexibility is king. Most formats enforce a weekly starts limit (e.g., 12 starts per week). To maximize points, you need to understand:

Start Limits: If you have a limit, you need "efficient" aces who go deep into games.

Innings Minimums: Ensure you roster enough reliable arms to hit the floor without blowing up your ratios.

Key Strategies For Success In 2026 Points Leagues

The "Sacramento Effect" & Ballpark Factors

The biggest variable going into last season was the impact of Sutter Health. This is a minor league park with dimensions and weather conditions that turned the ballpark into an absolute launchpad for offense.

Strategy: In points leagues, volume is everything. Target hitters from the A's and their division rivals (Astros, Rangers, Mariners) who will play multiple games in this hitter-friendly environment. Conversely, be extremely cautious streaming starting pitchers in Sacramento games.

Prioritize "low-K" Hitters

In Roto leagues, a player who strikes out 200 times but hits 40 homers is valuable. In Points leagues, those strikeouts are negative points that drain your total.

Strategy: Target high-contact sluggers. A player who walks more than he strikes out is a cheat code in this format because he avoids negative points while accumulating positive points for walks and runs.

The ABS Challenge System & Pitcher Command

With the ABS Challenge System now fully integrated, "catcher framing" is effectively dead. Strikes are determined by the zone, not the umpire's perception.

Strategy: Fade pitchers who rely on "nibbling" on the corners or getting borderline calls. Prioritize pitchers with elite Stuff+ and high Strikeout Rates. If a pitcher has high velocity and swing-and-miss stuff, the challenge system won't hurt them. If they rely on tricking the ump, they become risky.

Leverage "Bulk" Relievers (SP/RP Eligibility)

Starting pitchers are throwing fewer innings than ever. In points leagues with "Games Started" limits, relief pitchers who follow an "Opener" are gold.

Strategy: Look for pitchers with RP eligibility who pitch 3 to 5 innings in relief. They can vulture Wins and rack up Strikeouts without counting against your "Games Started" limit. This is a loophole that wins championships.

Multi-Position Eligibility

Injuries are inevitable. Having players who can slot into 2 or 3 roster spots allows you to keep an active bat in your lineup every single day.

Strategy: Prioritize drafting a "Swiss Army Knife" player in the middle rounds, such as someone eligible at 2B/SS/OF. This allows you to cover roster holes on Mondays and Thursdays (common travel days with fewer games) without hitting the waiver wire.

Aggressive Waiver Wire Management

In points leagues, "points on the bench" are wasted.

Strategy: Use your last roster spot for "streaming." If you have a batter facing an ace pitcher, drop them for a batter facing a struggling 5th starter in a good ballpark (like Sacramento or Cincinnati). Churning the bottom 10% of your roster to optimize matchups is often the difference between making the playoffs and falling short.

The 2026 season brings new venues and new rules, but the core tenant of Points Leagues remains: Points are King. By targeting high-volume hitters, exploiting the new ballpark factors, and utilizing the roster flexibility of bulk relievers, you will be well on your way to a championship.