Why have specialists?

[jlt53]

OK. Top of the 8th inning. Sixth game of the semis. I am up 3-2. Game score 2-0. Steve Barber pitching a three-hitter

*** TOP OF INNING 8 ***
0 T.Pagnozzi 5-8 Walk b-1 F9
SUBSTITUTE P - Mike Garman
SUBSTITUTE PH- Dick Whitman
0 1 D.Whitman 6-6 Fly Out (LF) b-0 F9
1 1 J.Wilson 5-6 Single (RF) 1-2 b-1 F9
1 12 O.Vizquel 1-4 Pop Out (SS) b-0 F9
2 12 S.Thompson 6-6 Home Run (CF) 2-H 1-H b-H F9
SUBSTITUTE P - Al McBean (role: Behind & Late)
2 M.Ott 3-8 Walk b-1 F9
2 1 W.McCovey 3-6 Home Run (CF) 1-H b-H F9
2 K.Griffey Jr. 3-6 Strike Out b-0 F9

Of course, I lose. Gee, in a situation like that, against a team that is stacked with lefties, it sure would be good to have a lefty rested in the bullpen and not have to use someone like Garman who is 9R!!!!!

Hey, look out in the bullpen. It's Dave Roberts. He hasn't pitched ONCE THE ENTIRE SERIES against a team stacked with lefties. He's marked LH specialist and closer against LH. But Mike Garman is brought into the game. To lose it.

It's really ridiculous.

[PotKettleBlack]

Are you using the Maximize Closer setting?

[jlt53]

No, I never use the maximize setting. Actually my primary closer is Randy Myers and my primary setup guy is Junior Thompson. Both had pitched in the previous two games, which I don't think should have ruled them out for this one. But if they couldn't go, at least I could have used the guy who is designated for that situation, as opposed to Garman, who is marked RH specialist, who was the absolutely worst choice.

[gkhd11a]

I assume you have Roberts also marked 1-2 innings and quick hook? If so and you also have listed as closer HAL is looking I think for one batter in the ninth to use as last inning specialist. You want HAL to use him as a specialist but you also list him as a closer. Drop the closer role in general, that is only restricting his innings.

I am assuming you do not have Garman listed as closer also or do you?

[jlt53]

I appreciate the input and advice, but I surrender. Trying to figure out exactly what mix of settings to use so a left-handed specialist will be used against left-handed batters in such an obvious situation is clearly more than my mind can handle.
I am not using any settings that would even remotely imply that Mike Garman should come in in the 8th inning against a line of left-handed batters in a save situation but there he is!!!!!
I'll focus my attention on something less frustrating, like doing my taxes.

[Valen]

[quote:2f66eecc3f]He's marked LH specialist and closer[/quote:2f66eecc3f]
Being marked closer trumps LH specialists and causes him to get saved.

Whitman pinch hit against Garmin but who was the hitter due up?

[jlt53]

He was pinch-hitting for the pitcher -- Koufax. Whitman is actually the highest-priced guy my opponent had on the bench. Everyone else is a .50; all are E or 1R hitters.

[jlt53]

Also I don't understand the concept of Roberts being saved because the closer designation overrides the specialist designation. It was a closing situation -- 8th inning, two-run lead, man on base, lefty at the plate, more lefties to follow.

For that matter, I don't see why Barber was taken out at F9 with a 3-hit shutout going and a lefty at bat. But since I didn't use the don't relieve B4 setting on him, I guess I can say that's my fault.

Although it is still stupid.

[dspeters5]

Nice, try, I gave up on trying to make specialists to work. After about fifteen different teams, and trying every imaginable combination of filters, I gave up. Tired of my specialists having ERA's like 7,8 9. Mark Clear, Joe Sambito, Terry Forester, etc. HAL just screws the pooch. I guess you need at least six relievers to make it work or else HAL will leave em in against the wrong hitters. I have discussed this with some of my esteemed colleagues and they agree as well. If I played every game on line, and I could make the decisions, I could make it work, but not HAL. Save yourself some grief.

[Badjam]

You need to check quick hook and avoid rightys for lefty specialists. I never use any closer settings unless I have a stud reliever like Eckersley or someone.
Was Garmen set to avoid leftys in the check box options?