Just curious--is there a setting that would prevent your starting pitcher from being removed for a pinch hitter? I really want to maximize my four starters, and would prefer not to have them removed for a PH down one run in the seventh.
Unfortunately, I don't think you can prevent it. Using "Don't Rel. B4" probably helps quite a bit... But I've found that Hal will still pinch-hit when he thinks the time is right.
So far as I can tell, the pitching preferences have no influence on pinch hitting. I will have a starter set to max ip 6, and when he comes to bat in the bottom of the 6th, HAL lets him hit, then pulls him before the start of the 7th. Classic HAL.