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I have not quite figured out HALS logic on bullpen usage. I have a 5 man bullpen. I would like to have the bulk of my innings used by Heath Bell with Nathan as my closer. what settings should i use to maximize thier innings and not have HAL use the other relievers?

This is the best way that I have found to maximize a non closer. Put Bell as set up to both sides, slow hook, dont bring in before seventh. One or two guys as closer, dont bring in before ninth. One guy as mop up. One or two guys as quick hook, avoid worse side, 1-2 inn max. That usually limits the other guys in their innings pitched thereby forcing HAL to use the guy you want a lot.

thanks for the help

I've found that even when you do that, HAL still brings in guys you don't want more often than you'd like. I haven't found a good way to prevent that.

yea, i have tried many different ways and very rarely have had luck with them

I have Webb as my top starter, he should be able to complete a few. Thanks for the advice, i can never seem to get my relievers to do what i want

If I wanted to maximize Heath's innings, I would NEVER put "don't use before the XXX"... I MIGHT monitor his innings and possibly check "avoid using in a blowout", but otherwise, the more restictions, the less innings.

[quote:503d0c4c8a="Aray0113"]for Bell:
On Player Settings: list as slow hook, do not come in before 6th.

[b:503d0c4c8a]This will maximize Bell's IP, instead of limiting him mostly to set-up situations. He'll come into every crucial relief situation, except when tired.[/b:503d0c4c8a]

[/quote:503d0c4c8a]

I have Betancourt on a couple teams and I put him as the set up man versus lefty and righty, in hopes of maximizing his usage as well. The manager settings define set up as - "which relief pitchers should pitch in the 6th through 8th innings in close games". That seems to define what you are describing for Bell, but you indicated that you don't put him as set up man. I'm just curious if we are getting the same usage different ways. I considered that I want Betancourt in the crucial close games, 6th to 8th inning, so that's why I chose the set up option. I forgot to set him up this way for one team (just updated it) and he has gone as long as 9 games without appearing. He also did not appear in a crucial series (against one of your teams actually - Crusaders), where I got swept. Hopefully I didn't wait too long to update his usage on that one. :( Thanks for the different perspective on setting up the usage.