if not now then when?

In a one run game in the 9th I don't want Escobar to bat no matter who is pitching so I have tried everything..

One thing that might help is to carry additional position players. I believe HAL is less aggressive about pinch hitting when you carry a minimum roster. This is theory, but I think it would be worth trying by some of our love-to-platoon managers. (If you do try this, please report back!)

That being said, there are no settings (or roster sizes) that will get HAL to pinch hit for a batter every time--or even most of the time--in the ninth inning of close games. So expecting this will happen will result in frustration!