Strat-O-Matic Baseball 365

After 31 innings, Fingers seems to be on his '82 7L 1.04 WHIP card and currently has a 4.35 ERA. Righties hitting .304/ lefties .200.
After 12 innings, McDaniel has a .65 WHIP and both RHB/LHB hitting under .200. Not sure what card I have yet, but his best cards are either heavy R or L.
At $1.9M I can manage MC D, but can't decide if I should stick with Fingers and set him at Close vs. LHB.
I have strong SP and could set them to go deep into the 7-9th as I won't have much strength at Middle/Setup slots.
Any thoughts?
http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1390380

There are many cheaper pitchers who can do well against left-handed batters. As long as LaCorte and/or Bailor can get out lefthanders with some success, in addition to McDaniel, Fingers is not a big need. If, however, you find that McDaniel is the only relief pitcher on your team who can get out left-handers with good success, then, I might keep Fingers, since he's a sure thing. Opposing teams, depending on their roster constructions, may try to load up against your excellent starting pitching with left-hand hitters and you might need more than just McDaniel to tame left-handers. I'd probably wait a whole bunch of games before I decided to drop Fingers because there aren't enough "cards in the deck" to make a decision.

Very sound rational and advice..... Hadn't thought about my SP all being RHP....
Would you set Fingers as Closer vs. LHP only, and McD my main Setup and Closer?

For the time being, I'd have Fingers as Closer vs LHP and McDaniel as closer. Not sure if I want him as setup as long as starting pitching can go seven or eight innings. Using a good pitcher as setup means you might not have him available in the ninth. If Don Wilson is pitching I might have McDaniel as setup. If he is not pitching in the series, I might not want McDaniel as a setup.

Often, I remove and add roles each evening depending on who is starting.

I think if you release Fingers you will regret it. I think McDaniel is getting lucky and will not be a bullpen ace with those kind of numbers all year.

I would let Fingers go. McDaniel probably is getting lucky with twice as many hitter rolls, but Bird looks OK if McDaniel folds. You have good SP. All that bullpen money is a waste. Throw McDaniel into the fire and see what happens. There are plenty of cheaper RP's suited for your park. I think you once told me RP was overrated in the 70's game and I wholeheartedly agree. Get the bullpen down to the lowest salary level you can as soon as you can.

Hang on to Fingers until it's proven someone besides McDaniel can get out lefthanders. I would pitch LaCorte as much as possible to see if you've got 1980 version. If so, get rid of Fingers yesterday. I would start LaCorte three times in a row. In 15 games you'll know the answer to whether McDaniel and LaCorte can be effective against left-handers and whether you can get rid of Fingers.

I use Lacorte all the time. You don't want to start him with your solid SP's. He has four decent cards in a pitchers park. Best is to use him as mop up and if a situation comes up where it is appropriate to start him, go for it. Otherwise your SP's don't allow for a LaCorte to start. It's nice to have a guy to get LH out, but it's not really a top priority, especially in your park. Someone almost always cuts a guy who struggles overall but gets LH out. With your solid SP, it would seem your problems lie more with your lineup than with the pitching staff. Also, Fingers stats are mediocre. If Doug Bird had Fingers innings he would probably do just as well as Fingers has done, so why keep Fingers?

All great insights - thanks!
I've started Lacorte 2x and he's given up 12 hits/6BB gave up in 12 inngs - don't think I have his best cards and will keep him in the pen.
I agree that my bigger problem is my line-up; especially vs. LHP.
I just picked up Carew (his worst yr. 71 is eliminated) for Murray and have Oglive, Mays and Oliva in their "Best" year. But, after 39 AB's Bill Robinson is hitting .206 - he the key LH bat besieges Mays' 7L card.
Given I start 3 LHB vs. LHP, I think I need another LHB SLG for my ballpark. Eliminated Tommy Davis worst card, but can't get him in the lineup
I like my SS/3B platoon for the $$, and Beckert's D, so I'm looking at Fosse or bigger to replace Wynegar who seems to be underperforming even his worst card.
Fosse would require me dropping Wynegar/Davis , or use some Fingers $$ to get Freehan or Munson? But, I've never had luck with either.
And tonite's the 10% penalty phase.......

Pulled the trigger on Fingers, Davis and Wynegar for Fergueson, C Upshaw (best WHIP available) and D Tomlin (shores up LHP a little). I believe between Lacorte, Moore and Tomlin I can manage vs. LHP
Well, win 2/3 vs. team with best record scoring 16 runs in GM 1, then 4 in the 2 others. Fergueson goes 5-11, w/ 3Hrs.
In loss, Perry goes 11 inns. then McDaniel loses in the 13th on a 2 base error (going 1 2/3 inn. 2 hits, 1 BB).
Like the offense punch Fergueson may give, but think I will have bullpen issues w/ McD and Upshaw, but not because I lost Fingers' 7L.......