- Posts: 2200
- Joined: Sat Aug 25, 2012 3:53 am
Hiya.
I've had some success doing it as described below but I don't think I've done it under the new BPv3. It carries some uncertainty that I usually decide against paying for.
Caveats--
1. I am no expert on this tactic
2. If the pitcher is in their rest window it can be problematic. There is no exact way to know ahead of time when that may occur for every case, because the AI uses expected pitch count to decide, and it could result in extra rest days or pitching through a fatigued state.
Method--
a. Ensure the S/R in question is not identified in a rotation, although you may want to for the other four 5-day guys, because I don't know how the AI projects uncertainty for starter assignments.
b. Do not assign the S/R in per-game starter settings until (or if) absolutely necessary. If you have only 5 starters and all are non-*, then it isn't necessary to assign the per game starters anyway. If you have more than 5 starters, I would assign all but this pitcher in the rotation but then change the per-game assignments the night before you want the S/R in question to start.
c. Assign as closer. Although, if you want more game opportunities to pitch in relief, I would assign as another relief role too. Now with the role limit, it is...limited. But the idea would be to assign as many relief roles as possible if the guy is clearly a good arm you are trying to use maximally.
d. Monitor. Check the PbP results to track fatigue and pitch counts to get a feel for whether the pitcher is throwing while fatigued often. It may be worth it, depending on the pitcher, but it could result in a starting assignment being a fatigued state too. It could even prevent the starter from starting, forcing another reliever to get the start if very fatigued due to heavy PC.
Someone else likely knows better. I am not sure how predictably the new bullpen AI handles these situations.