Why did HAL do this???

I'm trying to figure out why HAL would substitute Leo Cardenas at SS for the injured Freddie Patek when I have Frank Taveras who is listed as the #1 backup at SS sitting on the bench???

http://365.strat-o-matic.com/game/428682/140

Any thoughts???

is taveras listed as your pinch runner?

YEP. I guess we have an answer (albeit a stoooopid one).

Thanks.

maybe he prioritized the pr setting for the late innings. also if cardenas is the better fielding ss, HAL will go that way. however in the next game, he would start taveras and have him bat in the same spot in the order. or thats what they say?

No Taveras is definitely the better fielder of the two. And Cardenas actually did make an error in the game as well (though it didn't figure in the one run decision).

So I'm only left to assume it was because he is designated as the official Pinch Runner.

Taveras being designated as the #1 backup at short is irrelevant. Hal only looks at the lineups when creating a lineup prior to the game. After the game starts lineups are never checked again. So, when the shortstop got injured who was listed as backup was not part of the equation. Most likely players listed as having other designated roles are moved to the bottom of the list of candidates for in game replacement.