Stupid Questions(?)...Part Two

How effective have people found the platoon system against the cheap one-sided relievers?

The pitch count thing is interesting, I honestly did not realize that it was an actual fatigue measure, I just thought is was something they stuck in the box scores to make them seem more realistic. Do we know for a fact that high k pitchers rack up more pitches than popout pitchers? The reason why I ask, is just based on my quick scan of some recent box scores--it is not obvious to me that the pitch counts are terribly realistic (or that predictable) regardless of the outcomes--for example, I noticed a pitcher that faced 4 batters, 3 ks and 1 walk and did it in 14 pitches. Another almost identical, but add another batter and a single and it was 20 pitches. But there are counter examples as well....

I have no idea how the pitch count algo counts. I also don't know if what I offered makes a difference. Boy--if they do pitch count based on strikeout or TTO totals or something--I mean that's an example of high precision with low accuracy. It is a silly thing to waster CPU cycles on.

For the prior question on platoons--I am not a big platoon guy--I realize it is economical and efective--just isn't my thing. I usually have no more than 2. But on the flip side, having plenty of lefty-righty pitchers along with straight up guys helps to catch them wrong sided.

I think the platoon thing can be more vulnerable because you generally don't have the roster depth to go back and forth at the same position multiple times. But you typically can with pitchers.

Great thread.

My stupid question, which I have never tried, is whether there is a bullpen structure that would countermand heavy platoon teams.

I fantasize about starting a righty, bringing in a lefty to burn through all the platoon pinch-hitters, then bringing another righty in to burn through those guys. Can't see how I could get that to work though. You would need to face enough hitters a the end of the process for it to be worth it.

Great thread.

My stupid question, which I have never tried, is whether there is a bullpen structure that would countermand heavy platoon teams.

I fantasize about starting a righty, bringing in a lefty to burn through all the platoon pinch-hitters, then bringing another righty in to burn through those guys. Can't see how I could get that to work though. You would need to face enough hitters a the end of the process for it to be worth it.

I don't think HAL is capable of that Matt. But if you figure it out, let me know.

I've had some modest success with trying to implement Matt's fantasy strategy to take the sting out of platoons. One starts with a high offense park, extreme hitting in Moose's parlance. You staff your rotation with cheap guys who preferably are S5's, set to quick hook and aggressive bullpen. They should never pitch more than 6 innings max, and frequently much, much less.

You obviously need an superb offense that can come from behind and a flexible pen with 3 or 4 L/R specialist types and a good closer.

That would be the theory at least. Then, of course there is HAL, as Rich notes.

Its efficacy would depend on how prevalent platoons are in a given league and particularly in a given division and also the distribution of parks. With a lot of Petco type parks, good luck spotting the opponents an early lead.

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/team/1611672

LOTS of strikeouts, LOTS of walks, yet only 150 or so relief innings. And my F zero starters were often pulled at F9 for some questionable “batting for the pitcher” situations. I’d love to know how that computer logic works. Pitch counts? The confusion is real.

Great thread.

My stupid question, which I have never tried, is whether there is a bullpen structure that would countermand heavy platoon teams.

I fantasize about starting a righty, bringing in a lefty to burn through all the platoon pinch-hitters, then bringing another righty in to burn through those guys. Can't see how I could get that to work though. You would need to face enough hitters a the end of the process for it to be worth it.

First off--Matt you need a new fantasy!
Second, I share the fantasy because I just don't like platoons. Yes I know they are great and I do use them.

This 100+ win all-platoon round 2 team (Butterflies) unluckily lost to me (die Verbrescher) in 7 games in the semis, but had the edge against everyone during the regular season. So for now, I have to rely on lucky fantasies because this team showed no one could counter it effectively over the long season.
https://365.strat-o-matic.com/league/454722

https://365.strat-o-matic.com/team/1611672

LOTS of strikeouts, LOTS of walks, yet only 150 or so relief innings. And my F zero starters were often pulled at F9 for some questionable “batting for the pitcher” situations. I’d love to know how that computer logic works. Pitch counts? The confusion is real.

The best way to battle platoons, I think, is simply having E balanced stud starters.

J-Pav-- I hear you--I don't know how it works either. Certainly, agree with Druid on the hitter parks for platoons...but also hitter's parks affect the stud starter approach effectiveness as well as non-DH leagues.

As for the stud E starters...I actually take a different approach. Once I see a team or two with heavy platoons, I start looking for the cheap, heavy reverse guys you wouldn't usually use because their weak side is so bad.
Most platoons go opposite side--especially against LHPs--ie you may only get 1 LH batter and 8 RH batters if you throw a lefty. Voila--Tejera is now gold. And for game 2...maybe Bob Walk, or Matt Keoough etc.
So when I see that, I already think hybrid SP*/SP staff, or SP staff.

Salary spent on countering one or two teams can be a tricky thing, I reckon.