Optimal Bullpen Settings

actually when I have a stacked bullpen (typically only happens in theme leagues for me) I just leave it alone and let HAL handle it. It works better than you think. Sure you won't get any bullpen awards (i.e. he won't use the same closer everytime). But with enough resources (like you have) he tends to make proper decisions more than not. Last time I did that only had 9 BS all season (least in the league).

actually when I have a stacked bullpen (typically only happens in theme leagues for me) I just leave it alone and let HAL handle it. It works better than you think. Sure you won't get any bullpen awards (i.e. he won't use the same closer everytime). But with enough resources (like you have) he tends to make proper decisions more than not. Last time I did that only had 9 BS all season (least in the league).

I'm going to give your method a try as I had 4 blown saves the first 42 games

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/820917

hmmm, geekor and steve do not seem in total agreement on order of roles. That is what makes it difficult for me. It should be clear from the rules page whether this matters or not. Just that there can be disagreement at all on what impact this will have is problematic.

We are in agreement. The thing to remember is that when HAL goes to select a reliever, HAL will start at the top of your list and pick the first one that corresponds to the game situation.

But if I understand geekor correctly and I have...
CLOSER John Doe
SETUP John Doe
SETUP Bill Smith

When Hal looks for a setup man he will see John Doe as first in list but may reserve him in case he is needed as closer later and bring in Bill Smith.
If I understand you right Hal will go ahead and bring in John doe because Hal is looking for a setup man and John Doe is first up.

So which one of you am I misunderstanding?

Hmmm good point. Let me tell you what I do and why. I list my setup before closer, because I put my best reliever there and want to get max innings out of him. But after those options and after tied late and tied 9th+, I put my lefty specialist and righty specialist AHEAD of my middle man, because I want those specialists in the game early, not in the late innings when a ph could destroy them

When Hal looks for a setup man he will see John Doe as first in list but may reserve him in case he is needed as closer later

HAL will not reserve him. Whatever the first situation to come up is, HAL will look to find the top listed person for that situation and use him. In that example, Doe will come in as setup and continue on as the closer.

Hmmm good point. Let me tell you what I do and why. I list my setup before closer, because I put my best reliever there and want to get max innings out of him. But after those options and after tied late and tied 9th+, I put my lefty specialist and righty specialist AHEAD of my middle man, because I want those specialists in the game early, not in the late innings when a ph could destroy them

I used to do the same thing with specialist but if you check the help file you'll see that Hal only looks for specialists in the 7th inning or later.

thanks Stoney! That's good to know!