Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365

If HAL was my manager, I'd fire him because he doesn't understand how to work a platoon situation.

I'm playing in a '90s league. I'm working a platoon set up at first base. I play Gregg Jeffries vs. RHP and Chris Hoiles vs. LHP. Yes, I know it's a lot of money wasted to have Hoiles sit on the bench half the time, but I'm in Coors, face a lot of LHP in my division and Hoiles is crushing the ball when he faces lefties (.500/.526/1.111). The problem I'm experiencing is that HAL won't pull Hoiles when a RHP comes into the game after I've knocked my opponent's left handed starter out of the game. Unfortunately, Hoiles can't hit very well against RHP and, in essence, becomes an automatic out. I've thought about designating Jeffries as a defensive replacement, but that will really only work if I'm ahead late in the game. Is there any way to persuade or force HAL to take Hoiles out as soon my opponent's left handed starter leaves the game? I've set Hoiles' batting preferences to "avoid RHP" but that's not working. I suspect this has something to do with Hoiles' value. Maybe HAL won't pull him because HAL thinks Hoiles is a superstar based on his value.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. It's frustrating when HAL lets Hoiles (.143/.294/.143 vs. RHP) stay in the game to hit against a RHP in clutch situations, which is basically an automatic out, when Jeffreis (.359/.400/.524 vs. RHP) is available to hit for him. Help!

Everything you said is 100% correct and it sucks. That is the problem with platooning. If you are lucky, HAL will substitute in the 8th inning or 9th inning. Not before that.

I'm probably the biggest platooner there is. Normally you can expect about 90% good side ABs from a lefty platoon and about 70% good side ABs from a righty. Adam is correct that Hal will not pinch hit in the middle innings (ever?). That would normally mean you have knocked out the other team's starter early and should oftentimes be in good shape in the game (Coors might be one of the exceptions). You can try to "protect" you platoons in your lineup -- don't bat 2 platoons back-to-back, and/or sandwich platoons between two guys who are really strong the other way. If Hoiles bats between 2 guys who kill right handed pitching, be happy if the 3 face a righty in the same inning. If they "actuals" from the season are less than the 90%/70% you should end up with better season stats by concentrating ABs on their good side (I think this is one of the "advanced" strat stategies). You won't ever get to the Earl Weaver platoon percentages (97-99%). Reverse platooning (and bullpening) [R vs R; L vs L] is another advanced strategy, and partially solves the reliever (and switchhitter) issue.

This is very helpful. Can you explain what reverse platooning is, and what "bullpenning" is? And thanks!

I think he is referring to finding righties who are much better against righties and lefties that are better against lefties hitting wise (and the reversr pitching wise). This way, you still have a mix of righties and lefties in each platoon. Finding players like this is not easy. It is not something you can just do after you find players-you have to hunt for those few righties better against righties.

"Reverse" platooning: finding R hitters who are better against R pitchers, and L hitters better against L pitchers -- there aren't many of them, but you can find some seasons. For a bullpen, R relievers who get out L batters better (e.g., Willoughby) and L relievers better against R hitters (e.g., McGraw, Hrbosky). If used properly, these type of players can have good matchups much more often than "normal" players.