Does HAL understand the instruction, "Avoid LHB?"

Can anyone explain this to me? ...with a 3-run lead (not a remotely safe lead at 140M cap), HAL brings in Kent (9R) Tekulve to face left-handed Oscar Gamble ...and leaves him in for 4 full innings to face 16 left-handed batters (there was only one RHB in the opposing lineup).

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/game/play ... 449518/676

Tekluve was set to Avoid LHB, Quick Hook.

Both Bruce Sutter and Ted Abernathy were available in the bullpen (they had not pitched in the previous game) and neither of them were set to Avoid Blowout. How did HAL choose Tekulve to face Gamble, then keep him in the game?

Although Abernathy did not pitch in the previous game, he pitched 4.1 innings 2 games prior, so could the new bullpen algorithms determined that he needed and extra day of rest? Maybe, but that still doesn't explain why Sutter was not brought into the game.

My hitters went crazy in the later innings, so it didn't really matter, but I'd really like to understand HAL's choices. Frustrating...

Tekulve entered the game in the fourth inning. According to the wikipedia article the setting is more effective in later innings. https://somonline.fandom.com/wiki/Team_ ... s#PITCHERS
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Avoid left-handed batters / Avoid right-handed batters
When this setting is active for a relief pitcher, he will avoid entering or staying in a game to face the corresponding type of batter. A switch-hitter is (intuitively) considered to be a lefty if the pitcher is a righty, and vice versa. This avoidance is rather strict as long as 1) there are other fresh, available options in the bullpen that are not otherwise restricted from being used in the given situation, 2) the game is relatively close, and 3) the game is in the later innings. This setting is ignored in otherwise lower-leverage situations.

Thank you Paul, I had not read that. Some thoughts...

1) there are other fresh, available options in the bullpen that are not otherwise restricted from being used in the given situation --> There were, in fact, "fresh" options available. The game in question was #57. There were three pitchers available in the bullpen - none had pitched 2 games in a row.

Abernathy - pitched 4.1 innings (67 pitches) in game #55
Sutter - pitched 2.1 innings (57 pitches) in game #55
Shawkey - pitched 1.1 innings (16 pitches) in game #56

2) the game is relatively close --> Tekulve came into the game with a 3-run lead - I would definitely consider that "relatively close"

3) the game is in the later innings. This setting is ignored in otherwise lower-leverage situations --> Tekulve entered in the 4th inning and pitched into the 7th inning. The 4th innings is not "late," and by the 7th inning, he was protecting a 10-run lead, so one could argue Rule #2 would be applicable

Abernathy is out for sure. And possibly even Sutter (it was a pretty strenuous 2.2) . And if Sutter was available perhaps Hal was saving him for a higher-leverage situation?

I should also note that I have Abernathy in the Mopup role and Sutter in the Middle Man role. The applicable scenario was Middle Man (definition below), so HAL should have chosen Sutter.

"Middle Man: Inning: 1-6; Leading or trailing by 1-4 runs or tied"

Abernathy is out for sure. And possibly even Sutter (it was a pretty strenuous 2.2) . And if Sutter was available perhaps Hal was saving him for a higher-leverage situation?

That raises an interesting question, "At what point does HAL determine that a reliver needs 2 days of rest? ...and does his Endurance rating (Sutter is an R3) factor into the determination?"

And I think that is somewhat of a black box as to how Hal is determining this.

I do hit maximum innings on my relief guys to limit guys being rested more than one game. It seems to help.

I just saw Sutter was in middle innings role. So that indicates he was not available, I think.

I am in that league. Dotel and Dibble have 1-2 innings max checked. And the only roles I have checked are closer (Dotel then Dibble) My thinking is that hopefully they will pitch the last four innings two out of three games (2 innings each). It doesnt exactly work out that way but it hasnt been terrible, either.