Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

I have seen postings that indicated that 140 innings was an approximate season fatigue point for R1 pitchers, but what about an R2? I have Jose Valverde who has pitched 141 innings over the course of 138 games. Does he need rest?

no, there is no season fatigue. As long as he gets 1 day of rest, the next day he will be good as new. And since ther eare 2 days of rest before the playoffs, you never have to rest a RP. Now if you are really worried they might get injured, that's a different thing.

What they talk about is how many innings so that he isn't pitching fatigued during the season. Assuming an R2 goes exactly 2 innings every time out, and pitches every 2 games then rests, so it follows all rules with no fatigue, he could theoretically pitch 216 non fatigue innings. Bascially the 140 is for a R1, if he pitched more than that, he was probably pitching already fatigued at differnt points in the season. There is NO cumulative fatigue for the season.

No, but you should monitor reliever use in the playoffs closely. I have last at least two game sevens I can recall because my bullpen was burnt out by the time the late innings of game seven rolled around. I would say this is especially important when using a guy as set up and closer and if you are expecting a real slugging series. When HAL won't use guys three games in a row, it can cost you in the playoffs.

Yes, in fact that's why you need to place your starters at opportune spots.

If you have a 5 man rotation, then starts your BEST SP in game 3. Assuming he goes longer then your cheapers guys, it will help give your pen a rest. And if you are using a 4 man rotation, starts your #2 in the 3rd game for the same reason.