Can HAL run my 'pen & are there any limitations on S/R use?

[BDWard]

Hello again everyone. I need to go to the community well one more time for an answer to a few nagging questions regarding relief pitcher use. I'd like to thank everyone for all their help and support so far. It's refreshing to find so many people willing to help. I hope to be able to return the favor many times over for a long time to come.

Here's the situation. I recently picked up a cheapo S/R, who has 3 usable cards. He can start every 5th game and has a 5 inning endurance as a starter and 3 inning endurance as a reliever. I figured it would be fairly easy to determine whether he's a keeper. Since I'm not exactly sure what I have in my bullpen, I've designated no one in the closer or set up roles. My relief pitcher setting is set to "Normal" and my closer usage setting is set to "Regular". I've been letting HAL manage the bullpen, since he "knows" the mystery card year card and I don't, with decent results so far, as my team leads the league in saves with no high priced stars, with the saves being pretty much evenly distributed among 3 or 4 relievers. HAL put the new pitcher in the game for a 4 inning stint the first game after he was picked up with decent results, so I figured that I may have a keeper. A few games later, I decided to give the pitcher a start, as he had seen no further action and I was eager to learn what I have. In the 3rd inning of his start, he was injured for 0 games, but had to leave the game. I was able to determine from the injury that I have his second best card, which is good enough to use often in relief and as a spot starter. Here's my questions:

1. Is it wise to let HAL manage my bullpen? If I choose to continue to let HAL manage the bullpen, what are his strengths and weaknesses? Does HAL insert a relief pitcher based on the best match up with the current batter or does he look for the best overall match up with the next 3 or 4 batters? What role does the situation (the inning, the number of outs, the number of people on base, etc.) play in HAL's decisions?

2. In my ATG league, HAL seemed to often ignore the avoid (left handed or right handed) batters feature. Why? Now that I'm learning what I have, I'm considering using that option again, but what's the point if HAL ignores it?

3. Oftentimes in MLB, when a starting pitcher leaves a game early due to a bad performance or minor injury, he will get his next start on 1 or 2 days rest since he didn't pitch very long in his previous start. Is that permitted here? If yes, does the endurance factor play any different role in the short rest start?

4. How soon after a start can I use the pitcher in relief? How soon after a relief appearance can I use the pitcher to start? Does the number of innings pitched in the start make any difference in how soon thereafter he can relieve? Does the number of innings pitched in the relief appearance make any difference in how soon thereafter he can start?

5. In general, are there any other restrictions on relief pitcher use? Is it true that HAL won't use a relief pitcher 3 games in a row? Is it also true that after a long relief appearance of 3 innings or more that HAL will not use a relief pitcher the next game?

6. Is there anywhere I can go for answers to these and other nagging questions (you know, like about the origins of the universe, what came first, the donut or the cop, etc. etc.) so that I don't have to keep bothering the community with all these posts?

Thanks for hanging in there and reading this LONG post. As always, I remain very grateful for any help. - Bernie W

[voovits]

To answer a couple of questions.

Keep in mind this is just my opinion, talk to 5 other people and you may get 5 different opinions.
1. There's not much you can do in the first place as far as managing the bullpen yourself anyway other than use the setup and closer roles.
I like to start the season with those roles blank and see how and where HAL uses my pitchers. First, I make sure the closer usage is set to maximize. Then, if I notice the saves getting split between several pitchers then it makes me think that I don't have any one guy who stands out, likewise if HAL gives most save situations to one guy, then I know I have my closer as HAL does tend to at least use the best pitcher to close.
I rarely see HAL use a pitcher just for one batter. I think HAL makes his decision based on matchup for the current batter, then just leaves him in.

2. with only a 5 man bullpen, HAL is very limited on what he can do. If you use the avoid lefty or righty option on more than one pitcher, you're now limiting HAL to 3 main relievers, if one of them is closer and the other setup man, that leaves 1 guy to go the middle inning pitching. HAL likes options, and he will override your settings if there is nothing to do.
If you want to see HAL manage the bullpens better, try 100 or 200 milion caps and carry a 7 man bullpen. It's still not perfect, but he manages a larger pen much better.

3. Once a pitcher starts, he can not start until his next designated time, even if he pitchers to just 1 batter, he needs his required rest. The only time those settings are overridden are if you acquire a player VIA trade, or I think the free agent pool as well.

4. I'll have to let someone else answer this in more detail, but anyone can relieve at any time, even pure starters, but HAL will only use them as an emergency last resort. Pretty much the same goes for a S/R pitcher who just started and is still tired.
I think you can start a S/R pitcher who just relieved anytime, but he may start the game fatigued, someone will have to clarify the rules here.
The best way to avoid any fatigue issues is to try if you can to set per game starters well in advance. If HAL sees that your S/R is slated to start 2 games from now, he will avoid using him in relief.

5. Again, I'm not 100% sure, but I'm pretty sure I have seen HAL use my closer 3 games in a row. Whatever the case, I think the third appearance means the guy is automatically fatigued. Since HAL does not like to use fatigued players, he'll likely not play in the game. Same with the 3 inning guy.

6. There is a good message board you can go to to get answers to your questions, you can find it here:
http://forums.sportingnews.com/viewforum.php?f=28
The people there always try to help as much as possible. Unlike here, they don't get annoyed at someone who asks a lot of questions =)

Hope you find this helpful in some way.
James

[BDWard]

James: Many thanks for taking the time for your detailed and insightful reply. There is absolutely no substitute for your great experience and knowledge. Thanks for sharing. - Bernie W