The Z Files: The Little Things

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Updated on August 24, 2017 10:22AM EST

We're at the point of the season where being aware of the little things can result in big points. Today, we're going to look at a couple areas which could potentially provide an edge over your competition: first, the number of home and away games per team will be presented; next, the clubs most likely to make the Triple-A and Double-A playoffs will be reviewed, since prospects on those squads are less likely to be summoned when rosters expand.

REMAINING SCHEDULE (through Wednesday, August 23)

Team	Total	Home	Away
Arizona Diamondbacks	35	19	16
Atlanta Braves	37	19	18
Baltimore Orioles	35	17	18
Boston Red Sox	36	19	17
Chicago Cubs	37	19	18
Chicago White Sox	37	21	16
Cincinnati Reds	35	19	16
Cleveland Indians	37	20	17
Colorado Rockies	36	18	18
Detroit Tigers	37	19	18
Houston Astros	36	16	20
Kansas City Royals	37	17	20
Los Angeles Angels	35	19	16
Los Angeles Dodgers	37	16	21
Miami Marlins	37	20	17
Milwaukee Brewers	34	16	18
Minnesota Twins	36	15	21
New York Mets	37	15	22
New York Yankees	37	24	13
Oakland Athletics	35	16	19
Philadelphia Phillies	37	23	14
Pittsburgh Pirates	35	16	19
San Diego Padres	36	18	18
San Francisco Giants	33	15	18
Seattle Mariners	34	15	19
St. Louis Cardinals	36	17	19
Tampa Bay Rays	34	15	19
Texas Rangers	36	17	19
Toronto Blue Jays	36	18	18
Washington Nationals	38	21

REMAINING SCHEDULE (through Wednesday, August 23)

Team	Total	Home	Away
Arizona Diamondbacks	35	19	16
Atlanta Braves	37	19	18
Baltimore Orioles	35	17	18
Boston Red Sox	36	19	17
Chicago Cubs	37	19	18
Chicago White Sox	37	21	16
Cincinnati Reds	35	19	16
Cleveland Indians	37	20	17
Colorado Rockies	36	18	18
Detroit Tigers	37	19	18
Houston Astros	36	16	20
Kansas City Royals	37	17	20
Los Angeles Angels	35	19	16
Los Angeles Dodgers	37	16	21
Miami Marlins	37	20	17
Milwaukee Brewers	34	16	18
Minnesota Twins	36	15	21
New York Mets	37	15	22
New York Yankees	37	24	13
Oakland Athletics	35	16	19
Philadelphia Phillies	37	23	14
Pittsburgh Pirates	35	16	19
San Diego Padres	36	18	18
San Francisco Giants	33	15	18
Seattle Mariners	34	15	19
St. Louis Cardinals	36	17	19
Tampa Bay Rays	34	15	19
Texas Rangers	36	17	19
Toronto Blue Jays	36	18	18
Washington Nationals	38	21	17

Earlier in the season, five games may not have seemed like much, but at this point it represents over 10 percent of the remaining schedule. The Washington Nationals have the most games left, with 38 on the docket. The San Francisco Giants have the fewest, with only 33.

The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies both check in with 37 more games to play, but more importantly, the Yanks will be home for 24 while the Phils in their own digs for 23. Considering both are good hitting parks, this is potentially useful information.

On the other end, the New York Mets play 22 of their 37 leftover contests on the road. This is still relevant, just less so as the team is shedding all their fantasy-worthy assets anyway.

MINOR LEAGUE PLAYOFF CONTENDING TEAMS

As mentioned in the opening, many organizations, especially those not competing for the playoffs on the major-league level, will delay calling up prospects once rosters expand if their affiliate is in the hunt for a championship. Winning a title is a great accomplishment at any level. Not only it is a great reward, but playoff experience, even on the farm, is a benefit to development. Of course, if a big-league club is battling for a playoff berth, they're more likely to advance a player capable of helping.

Here are the affiliates, with the parent club, in the driver's seat for the playoffs. Teams five or fewer games behind (GB) are included. Only the International League has a wild-card entry. You can follow the races HERE.

International League (AAA)

Division Leaders

Scranton/Wilkes-Barre RailRiders (NYY)
Durham Bulls (TB)
Indianapolis Indians (PIT)

Wild Card Leaders

Rochester Red Wings (MIN)

Lehigh Valley IronPigs (PHI) 5 GB Rochester

Pacific Coast League (AAA)

Colorado Springs Sky Sox (MIL)
Memphis Redbirds (STL)
Reno Aces (ARI)
Salt Lake Bees (LAA)

Fresno Grizzlies (HOU) 2 GB Reno, El Paso Chihuahua (SD) 1 GB Salt Lake, Albuquerque Isotopes (COL) 2.5 GB Salt Lake

Eastern League (AA)

Trenton Thunder (NYY)
Altoona Curve (PIT)

Bowie Baysox (BAL) 1 GB Altoona, Akron Rubber Ducks (CLE) 5 GB Altoona

Southern League (AA)

Chattanooga Lookouts (MIN)
Jacksonville Jumbo Shrimp (MIA)

Mobile BayBears (LAA) 2 GB Jacksonville, Biloxi Shuckers (MIL) 3 GB Jacksonville, Pensacola Blue Wahoos (CIN) 4 GB Jacksonville

Texas League (AA)

Springfield Cardinals (STL) / Tulsa Drillers (LAD)*
San Antonio Missions (SD)

*Springfield and Tulsa are tied

Midland RockHounds (OAK) 2.5 GB San Antonio

A lot of places will be predicting players to be called up come September. Take the next step and determine those likely to have their ticket to the Show delayed as they compete for their league championship. It may give you a little edge as you battle for yours.