RE: Harvey

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1377956

Can anyone explain what is wrong with Harvey? Is he like this in other leagues? This is a NL only player league and he is bombing out. Did not see this coming from him. Dice-K is doing better than he is (10-4). It is not like he is not getting run support. SGT D

He has a weak-fielding second baseman (Murphy) supporting him, although, in fairness to the second baseman, I see little evidence in examining the box scores that he has played poorly behind Harvey. Five of his six home starts are stellar. Four of his five road starts are poor. In his only good one, he gave up 10 hits. His card is impressive.

Harvey is a bit of an enigma, and I'm not sure why. He did really well for one of my teams and helped them to the playoffs:

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1130359

However, he was just ok for my PC team (1.02 whip aside) and I had to cut him to get better value for his salary:

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/team/1379310

I don't own a ratings guide, but perhaps someone who does can actually break down whether or not he is a good value.

I can't figure him out. I need him to turn it around. SGT D

I can't figure him out. I need him to turn it around. SGT D

There is nothing to figure out. Sometimes a player will underperform for a stretch--sometimes a long stretch. And in an $80 million (or higher) league, most players--hitters and pitchers--will underperform to a degree. Combine that he's facing better hitters than he faced in real life with some bad luck, and his stats so far aren't at all unusual.

The big mistake some managers will make is to cut a player (taking the 20 percent salary hit) because a player is "slumping." In real life if a player's performance drops off, a manager doesn't know if it's a a temporary slump or if a player has just lost it. You, however, have the luxury of knowing Harvey's card is every bit as good as the day you drafted him.

Aww, don't dispel the "slumping" Strat card belief! I depend on at least somebody believing that in a league.

The big mistake some managers will make is to cut a player (taking the 20 percent salary hit) because a player is "slumping." In real life if a player's performance drops off, a manager doesn't know if it's a a temporary slump or if a player has just lost it. You, however, have the luxury of knowing Harvey's card is every bit as good as the day you drafted him.

It is absolutely impossible for a player to "slump" in a 20xx season; he is the same card from beginning to end. He can't really slump in the Mystery games either, although hitting a negative year can produce that "effect." A player can, however, hit a bad match with the division or league he's facing. A pitcher particularly tough on lefties could end up facing a league strong on righties, or there could be dynamics more difficult to discern.

If that turns out to be the case, then cutting the player and using his salary needed elsewhere would be beneficial.

There is nothing to figure out. Sometimes a player will underperform for a stretch--sometimes a long stretch. And in an $80 million (or higher) league, most players--hitters and pitchers--will underperform to a degree. Combine that he's facing better hitters than he faced in real life with some bad luck, and his stats so far aren't at all unusual.

This is a NL Only Player League, No DH with unique Stadiums (No duplicate Stadiums) so he is not facing all great hitters every outing only NL only players and the pool is shallow. SGT D

I'd leave him alone unless all teams in your division are putting around 6-7 righties in the lineup against him. You're not going to do any better for 20% less money. Odds are he'll start pitching better

Here's another case of Harvey struggling, which got him released. As I showed earlier, he obviously can perform very well. However, his two sevens against righties could be what's causing him troubles at times. It would be helpful if someone with a ratings guide chimed in and gave its analysis of the card:

http://onlinegames.strat-o-matic.com/pl ... 013/349542

And Steve is right about your not getting a better pitcher at 20% less. However, your offense appear to be struggling as well. If those struggles continue, you could definitely use the money you're paying Harvey to improve your offense. Many starting pitchers much cheaper than Harvey will also perform well at Petco.