Avoid LHB/RHB

[STEVEPONEDAL]

In my managerial strategy settings, I am aggressive with intential walks. On my individual pitcher setting if I check avoid LHB/RHB and leave IBB with this pitcher less,

What does HAL do to avoid that batter, issue an intentional walk or pull the pitcher?

Any tips on how best to use avoid RHB/LHB settings?

Thanks

Steve

[yak1407]

I think it means HAL avoids putting that pitcher in if the first batter they will face is an 'avoid.'
After that batter, however, HAL just uses the normal pitcher endurance ratings. As long as he's pitching within his inning count or has not put too many baserunners on, he'll keep pitching regardless which way the batter hits.
I've had some success using it, but I try to find pitchers, and hitters, who are balanced, or slightly better the opposite way, the lefty who is tougher on righties and vice versa

[bjs73]

[quote:b892778b1f]In my managerial strategy settings, I am aggressive with intential walks. On my individual pitcher setting if I check avoid LHB/RHB and leave IBB with this pitcher less,

What does HAL do to avoid that batter, issue an intentional walk or pull the pitcher?

Any tips on how best to use avoid RHB/LHB settings?

Thanks

Steve[/quote:b892778b1f]

These types of questions are really where the rubber meets the road. I'm afraid that I won't be able to give a whole lot of insight other than what I've observed casually.

The first thing that HAL does with the check box avoid left/right is to determine if he's supposed to come in the game to face that batter. Just like YAK said, it's true.

The game logic after that is a little fuzzy for bullpen use with the current controls but from what I've observed, I believe that HAL does still use the avoid check box once in the game though. For instance:

Let's say I have W. Hernandez set as a setup guy against lefties. Tony Gwynn is up to bat, Dale Murphy on deck, and Don Mattingly in the hole. W. Hernandez would be brought in to face Gwynn. Let's assume he does his job and gets the out. Next one up is Dale Murphy. The next bit of logic that HAL will do is look at the score and look at your slow hook/quick hook, and max innings settings.

1. If you're up by 2 runs and you've got avoid right, quick hook, 2-3 innings max. W. Hernandez will probably throw to Murphy.
2. If you're up by 1 run with the same situation as above, HAL may look to pull him if you've got a righty in the pen.
3. If you're up by 1 run and you have quick hook, 1-2 innings max, same situation, HAL will be more likely to remove Hernandez.

There are numerous other scenarios based on your questions though. Most people don't understand HAL and admittedly we don't have enough control over HAL compared to the CD ROM version. But, what I've discovered is that HAL will not try to break the conventional rules of bullpen management when using the intentional walk thing.

He won't IBB a guy and put the tying/winning run on base. HAL will IBB a guy that is a positive clutch hitter to get to a negative clutch hitter though.

As far as advice goes, I'm a big guy that says you try to take as much control AWAY from HAL when using your bullpen. I also happen to prefer an aggressive IW strategy as well. If I'm aggressive on my macro strategy then I WON'T click any check boxes with my pitchers cards saying IBB less. I want my guys to walk the guys they need to walk.

Also, I will definitely try and balance my pen with 2 RH OUT guys, 1 LH OUT guy, 1 LH/RH Reverse guy, and a top flight closer. I'll usually also pick a starter reliever that is left handed so that he can help out on the LH side.

For my RH OUT guys: avoid left, quick hook, 1-2 innings max. The stronger guy is the setup vs righties and he'll have don't appear before the 6th inning checked. The other righty will have no stipulations on appearance though and I may even change him to 2-3 innings max.

For my LH OUT guy: avoid right, quick hook, 1-2 innings max. Probably a don't appear before the 7th inning also. He'll be set as lefty setup also.

For my LH/RH reverse guy: avoid same side, no hook, 2-3 innings max, no appearance stipulations. This is assuming that the guy is fairly solid. If not then I'll give him a quick hook.

For my LH SP/RP guy: avoid right/left, quick hook, don't appear before the 8th inning. This guy is usually my extra inning guy but if he has a strength against lefties or righties, HAL will find a way to use him if the situation is right. Admittedly there are not a whole lot of quality LH SP/RP cheap guys and if that's the case get RH one and it will still work. Avoid lefties with him if that's the case.

I even use the avoid lefty/righty thing with my starters as long as I have aggressive IBB settings. HAL will IBB better with a starter with a looser leash as long as he's not breaking conventional baseball wisdom. If he can't IBB the batter with the starter due to the tying/winning run thing, he'll look to pull him to put in an appropriate reliever as long as your reliever usage is normal and/or your starter isn't set to slow hook.

These are my observations after 32 teams and a whole lot of hours involved with playing the CD ROM version as well. Take it for what it's worth and I wish you success.

[STEVEPONEDAL]

Thanks for taking the time for such thorough advice. This is my first eighties team. We are finishing the second week and I am losing ground so your info will help.

I have included the link to my team if you want to take a look. I have had Lopez and Falcone since the start. I have them slotted in as my setup guys against righties and lefties respectively. Lopez has been a great find. Falcone has been good so far.

Sometimes, I think Gossage is brought in too early even though I think I have his settings right. Stewart has given up a lot of homeruns on the road. Home is Dodger Stadium.

Also, can you clarify what you mean as an OUT guy?

Steve

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/80s/team/team_other.html?user_id=64519

[bjs73]

[quote:c0b72a7460]Sometimes, I think Gossage is brought in too early even though I think I have his settings right. Stewart has given up a lot of homeruns on the road. Home is Dodger Stadium.

Also, can you clarify what you mean as an OUT guy?[/quote:c0b72a7460]

When does Gossage appear when you say he's brought in too early? It isn't uncommon to see the 2 inning save in the 80's game. (Ahh the good "old" days. :D ) 2 inning saves used to be the norm. But if you want to make Gossage your ninth inning guy only, put a check mark in the box next to "don't appear before the ninth." Make sure your global settings for relief usage is "maximize" also.

The OUT thing is probably my saying. What I meant is your right hand and/or your left hand specialist. LOOGY stands for Left handed, One, Out, GuY. Basically the guy that comes in the game to create a mismatch against a left handed batter. Playing the percentages.

A brief look of your splits on your pitching staff and this is what I would do for a short period of time to see how it works. (2 full rotations maybe?):

1. Stewart, max of 7 innings, quick hook. (Only because he doesn't look particularly dominant but he's definitely serviceable. I'd give him a max of seven so you can get to Lopez, Falcone, Gossage.)

2. Dravecky, Avoid right, quick hook. (Quick hook only because he's bound to face 70% righties or better when he pitches. If you want to play strategy, give him a max of 6 innings, and turn it over to Lopez to take advantage of your opponents' all righty lineup.)

3. Reuschel, avoid lefties, quick hook. Max of 6 or 7. (Are you looking to replace him or do you have a hunch he's on a better year than he's showing?)

4. Langford. (Not enough data yet, leave it blank until about 40 innings or so.)

5. Darwin (Same as Langford)

6. Witt (Looking good so far but leave blank for now until more data rolls in.)

7. Falcone, avoid right, quick hook, 1-2 innings max, don't appear before the 7th. (He's your LOOGY. Allow HAL to bring him in the 7th or 8th to get that crucial 1 or 2 outs against lefties.)

8. Campbell, leave blank. (He looks quite serviceable in long relief and can eat a lot of innings. He'll be the first call to the pen in the early innings and also hopefully be available for extra innings.)

9. Lopez, avoid left, quick hook, 2-3 innings max, don't appear before the 6th inning. (Falcone and Lopez should allow you to get to the 8th innings for Gossage.)

10. Gossage, avoid left, 1-2 innings max, do not appear before the 8th inning. (I think you've got a better Gossage card than what the stats show. Keep him on avoid left for now. You'll see why in a second.)

Macro settings:

1. Closer Usage Maximize.
2. Relief Usage Aggressive.
3. Infield IN 3rd inning or earlier.
4. Setup Man vs. Lefties Falcone.
5. Setup Man vs. Righties Lopez.
6. Closer vs. Lefties Falcone.
7. Closer vs. Righties Gossage.
8. IBB aggressive or very aggressive.

I say get to your bullpen for now until Witt, Langford, and Darwin start bringing more data to the plate. Your loosing ground now but it's early. Establish an early lead and give it to the pen to shut it down.

Falcone as setup and closer could work well. There are more RH batters than LH batters in the leagues. Lopez will get the lion's share of appearances as well as Campbell. Falcone's role would be limited but making him a closer against lefties could enhance Gossage in the late game. Falcone won't appear before the 7th inning, Gossage in the 8th, and if Falcone doesn't get used in the 7th inning, he can dig Gossage out in the ninth.

Are there any more quality LH relievers in the FA market? I think that you could use another one if you decide to dump Reuschel for a cheaper starter.

Also, don't be afraid to pick up someone else's drop at pitcher. If you see some trends in his previous stats (like k/ip) that looks like it matches up with a good card, it probably is a good card but an impatient manager.

I picked up Dave Stieb's best card after he was tossed to the waiver wire after posting a 1.32 WHIP in 100 innings. I had a hunch that it was a better card than that and I was right. His season stats were serviceable but his MVP performance in the playoffs more than made up for the mediocre stats during the season. :D

[STEVEPONEDAL]

Thanks, I never realized that cubbies bled blue as well as Dodger fans. I am from LA and have been bleeding blue for 40 years. Since moving to Sacramento you can throw in a tinge of green for the A's.

I grabbed Reuschel since he seems to be able to keep the ball in the ballpark, but I certainly don't have strong feelings at this point. Even though it is early I am feeling good about Langford and Witt thus far.

You gave LOOGY a whole new context since the playground days. Those would be the Klines, Tavares and King's that LaRusso likes in his pen.

It's funny, I pour over the FA market on a daily basis. I do need another good lefty in the pen, but I am feelin like a deer in the headlights at this point trying to figure out a next move. This info has all been really great.

It seems like the cubbies have been a little quiet over the winter. Any moves you think they will make between now and March?

Steve

[bjs73]

[quote:8a117d3d78]Thanks, I never realized that cubbies bled blue as well as Dodger fans. I am from LA and have been bleeding blue for 40 years. Since moving to Sacramento you can throw in a tinge of green for the A's.[/quote:8a117d3d78]

Oh yes. And that blue blood has been mostly frigid as well for nearly 100 years. :D There are a ton of great blogs covering baseball teams out there but I will have to admit that one of my favorites is a Dodger Fan Blog that I read quite frequently. The cynical humor in it is fantastic. I got the link from a blog here at TSN. I think it was Larry's Dance Party here. Anyhow here is a link to "The Dodger Blues" and I hope you find it amusing if you've never seen it before.

[url]http://dodgerblues.com/#[/url]

[quote:8a117d3d78]It seems like the cubbies have been a little quiet over the winter. Any moves you think they will make between now and March?[/quote:8a117d3d78]

Getting Juan Pierre was interesting. Couple of mid-career relievers with solid numbers last year too. (Howry and Eere?) Pierre is only signed through 2006. I think that Hendry will try to hammer out an extension before spring training. This gives him more time to develop their "Star of the Future," Felix Pie in AAA.

I think C. Patterson is out. That guy must really be beside himself after seeing Pierre signed. Patterson is trade bait for a RF but I wouldn't put it past the Cubs to go to the regular season with Patterson in RF either.

They lost out on the Furcal sweepstakes but I'm really looking forward to seeing if their young kid, R. Cedeno, is the SS of the future. He'll get a good look this year.

Other than that, I think the Cubs are shopping for RF only with their young pitching/C. Patterson combo. If nothing happens, they'll go with what they got.

*****

I was looking at my boxscores last night and I thought it might help to study the bullpen logic that I saw if you're interested?

Closer Usage Maximize
Relief Usage Aggressive
IBB Very Aggressive
Infield In 3rd Inning
Setup L/R = Ken Dayley
Closer L/R = D. Eckersley

Bud Black was the SP in game 1. By far most successful SP this early in the season. All check boxes are blank at this point though for him.

The team ended up losing 2-1 in this contest but the IBB logic really worked for me in this game despite the loss. K. Dayley was just made my setup guy both ways. His early stats in 14 innings show a decent card to this point. But I'll adjust after more data rolls in.

[quote:8a117d3d78]*** BOTTOM OF INNING 5 ***
0 A.Van Slyke 5 Pop Out b-0
1 O.Smith 3 Single b-1
1 1 1 Stolen Base 1-2
1 2 B.Doran 3 Single 2-3 b-1
1 1 3 1 Stolen Base 1-2
1 23 P.Molitor 1 Line Out b-0
2 23 J.Carter 0 Int Walk b-1
2 123 L.Polonia 1 Line Out
[/quote:8a117d3d78]

Black is pitching here. Polonia is actually tearing the league up with his BA at .398. He's supposed to be on a platoon but HAL subbed Polonia in when an injury occurred to his team. Anyhow, score is tied 1-1 at this point.

I believe that after men on 2nd and 3rd with two outs, HAL looked to see if Carter was a clutch hitter, then also who was on deck next and if he was a clutch hitter. The logic here makes sense that you'd walk Carter to get to a mismatch with Polonia. And I believe that Polonia is a negative clutch hitter in most years as well.

[quote:8a117d3d78]*** BOTTOM OF INNING 7 ***
0 B.Doran 5 Single b-1
0 1 P.Molitor 7 Sac Bunt 1-2 b-0
1 2 J.Carter 0 Int Walk b-1
1 12 L.Polonia 5 Single 2-3 1-2 b-1
1 123 J.Thompson 6 Strike Out b-0
2 123 M.Young 2 Ground Out
[/quote:8a117d3d78]

Here it isn't even a clutch hit situation but HAL must really like the mismatch against Polonia and with Thompson on deck, it was probably a good decision to walk lefty killer Carter to setup DP possibilites and to keep the mismatch going.

[quote:8a117d3d78]*** BOTTOM OF INNING 8 ***
0 D.Porter 2 Single b-1
SUBSTITUTE PR- Jerry Remy
0 1 A.Van Slyke 3 Sac Bunt 1-2 b-0
SUBSTITUTE P - Ken Dayley
1 2 O.Smith 1 Wild Pitch 2-3
1 3 O.Smith 4 Walk b-1
1 1 3 1 Stolen Base 1-2
1 23 B.Doran 0 Int Walk b-1
1 123 P.Molitor 7 Force Play 3-o 2-3 1-2 b-1
2 123 J.Carter 3 Pop Out
[/quote:8a117d3d78]

Score is still tied in the 8th inning. Black against Porter and Slyke netted a single and a sac bunt. Winning run on 2nd. Dayley has been posting good reverse numbers so far and with the setup man set for him, it makes sense to pull Black to face O. Smith. I'll guess that O. Smith has a little weakness against lefties too. After his walk, Doran was passed up because of his strength against lefties because his run doesn't matter much with the winning run on 2B.

Now its bases loaded, 1 out, infield in. Luckily it pays off and I get the force out at home on Molitor.

Why does Dayley then face Carter? Because Dayley is my setup guy against both Lefties and Righties. It's not a save situation so no Eckersley either. I am pretty confident here that if I had a righty setup guy designated instead of Dayley and if Dayley was on avoid R, quick hook, 1-2 innings max, that Dayley would have been pulled for the righty setup guy here. But as luck would have it, he got the out anyway.

I ended up losing in the bottom of the ninth with Dayley anyways and if I was managing for real, I would have probably used Eck in the ninth anyways against the righties coming up in the lineup. But, oh well. HAL did me right by own instructions. I think I'll be tweaking again in the next week or so to try and get a righty in there in those situations.

Hope this helps?

[STEVEPONEDAL]

Yes, everything you have told me thus far has helped. I dropped Reuschel and added Knepper. The extra cash allowed me to pick up Dwight Evans to shore up my RHBA.

The last 2 series I am now 4 and 2. This is good compared to previous 3 or 4 series where my pitching got pounded.

Dave Stewart is still a puzzle the first game with my new settings he pitched a 4 hit shutout. The second game he went 4 inniongs giving up 10 hits and 5 runs.

Anyway, thanks for the help.

BTW, talk about playing oneself out of a team, I can't beleive how crappy Corey P played. Is Trinidad Hubbard still in the Cubbies system?

steve