Archive of SportingNews.com's old SOM Baseball forum

It's just the first week of play, but what in the world happened to my starting pitching?

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/atg2/team/team_other.html?user_id=114799

I thought I actually had a good group when the season started. I know Mayer should win a few, but he's not even close.

Is it the park? Was I just fooling myself? Is HAL making an example of me?

Signed,

One Humbled Husker

Just looking at stats Pitching looks like the least of your problems Unless this is an abberation and they have been thrown out over 50% of the time your rabbits (Cobb Snodgrass etc.) are not running enough Turn them loose 8)

Pretty early in the year for a rant post from a patient man. 8)
90% of the season remains. Don't do anything rash.
I'd tinker with your batting order. Looks like you have McCoskey batting 5th. Move him way up in the order to take advantage of his OBP & minimize his lack of clutch.
I'd also take a hard look at hitting Cobb 3rd on this team. Experiment a bit until you find an order that works for you.
Your pitchers are hurling in some hard luck. I think they will come around if you let them. I'd put all the SPs on slow hook if you haven't already.

Your offense is scoring 4 runs a game. Your staff ERA is at 4.
Looks to me like you have given up 18 HRs in the 13 games not started by Scott. Unlucky?
McCosky needs to hit leadoff.
McCormick and Ripken are both hitting .180 vs. Righties, that will get better.
Bluege has a lot of atbats vs. righties. If this was not do to injuries, put him on the bench and play Pendleton full time. Terry is a better hitter and better with the glove.

I think your pitching is fine. However, you've shortchanged your offense by keeping such expensive backups. If you had .50 guys instead of Ford, Bluege, and Fosse, then you'd have an extra 1.22M to upgrade another position or two.

Having said that, though, you need to stay the course. Tinker with lineups and settings; make trades, even, but aviod the free agent route.

Thanx for the help & advice. I anticipated platooning Pendleton/Bluege at 3B, but now see the error of my ways :oops: . Definately gonna try McClosky at leadoff & Cobb in the 3d slot. Makes alot of sense to try. I have Cobb & Snodgrass set at steal more. Should I set the whole team's baserunning on aggressive? I've always been worried doing that would tell HAL that I want the catcher (or somebody equally sloth-like) to have the green light.

To each his own, but I like a high success rate at stolen bases rather than just quantity; my manager settings are set conservatively & the good base-stealing threats individual cards are checked to steal more.

Exactly as I had it set. Thanx, JUMA, for the verification I wasn't totally off base (pun intended). :)