Avoid LHP, RHP... WTF?

Does this setting work at all?

I've noticed more than ever that HAL seems to completely ignore this. Why does he not remove the starting half of a platoon when a reliever comes in the game?

Here is an example. This team has 8 platoons. They only player that I have set to start against both sides is Vargas. Every other player in my starting line-up has "avoid" set to their weaker side.

In this game lefty Madison Bumgarner started. He lasted 2.1 innings. He was then followed by four straight right handed relievers. HAL did not pinch hit for any of the eight players set with avoid RHP. NOT ONE. Why? he let them all continue to hit while leaving their platoon mates sitting on the bench.

http://365.strat-o-matic.com/game/433364/901

Any thoughts on this? Am I missing something here?

Michael.

The Avoid LHP/RHP only works for PH options from the bench. When a pitcher is changed during the game the hitters already in the lineup don't start being removed. This feature is useless to change hitters from your original lineup when a different pitcher comes in.

Furthermore, they won't be pinch hit for when you have the lead. The school of thought I use is they will be pinch hit for when it is advantageous to do so. Chances are more pitching changes will be made by your opponent as the game progresses, creating different circumstances. It's better for you to have options in the late innings rather than your bench already used up.

Well it definitely reduces the effectiveness of platoons.

IMO there is no reason to ever allow Weeks, Smolinski or Tomas to face a RHP when Diaz, Pederson & Toles remain on the bench.

I've never had a team with this many platoons before, so I guess Iv'e not noticed it. Anyway, no more than a couple from now on.

I don't think strat is going to address this, I posted a request when I first started playing on-line (early 2013)---this, to me, is the worst aspect of the AI, with a noDH team Hal can't make a double switch in a logical way either.

I think strat should put a new strategy page in where you could designate platoons for the eight positions (or the same player for both sides if a non-platoon guy)--anytime the platoon player is up vs the wrong side HAL should PH if the platoon mate is available.

Hal never PHs with a lead either--this would seem to be an easy programming change to make, as HAL just looks to see if your trailing in the score--all they have to do is move that programming variable to +3 (or whatever) instead of -1.

After banging my head against an AI wall for a year or two, I generally quit playing too many platoons for this very reason--more than two platoons is usually more of a liability than helpful in 20xx, I would guess with ATG where pitchers stay in most of the game, platoons are probably better overall.

Some things I've seemed to notice about platoons.

1. If your platoon guy has weak power, or almost no chance on the bad side of the card, Hal seems a bit more likely to PH, though Hal doesn't PH with the platoon mate unless he happens to be the best option offensively.

2. If possible, set your guys that hit LH pitchers as "remove for defense"--this gets the RH half in fairly often late in the game--you are more likely to face RH relievers late with visiting teams in top of 9th--or if the game goes into extra innings if you blow a lead. This obviously won't work for a DH--DH is the one spot it might be the most wise to avoid a platoon, though I've use many platoons at DH.

3. another good ploy sometimes (difficult to do price wise though) is only go 3L or 3R with platoons, maybe 4L/4R--so they at least have a chance to hit the opposite way.