this has been discussed quite a bit ....but for the newbies or for those who didn't read it before ...this is what "we" as a group have come up with....
The closer rule is supposedly turned off....BUT its the same game engine as the 200x games....therefore HAL looks at the closer rating even though fatigue is not a factor for a pitcher with no closer outs. What happens is HAL will use say a Fryman in a closer role, but if he gives up a hit in a close situation he will be pulled for ANY other pitcher that DOES have a closer rating. So HAL will favor a pitcher with a closer rating every time which makes some of the classic closers next to useless for closing games if they allow a hit.