Starting relief stint at F0?

Brand new at SOM. In last night’s games next to last reliever (R4) put in out of reach game. Previous 2 games thrown 7 pitches and 6 pitches. Play by play shows shows starting F level as 0. Preference is to pull below F8. Was clobbered by 7 batters in 8th and 12 batters in 9th all at F0 before closer put in to get last out. How is it possible R4 started at 0 and was so slowly pulled?

These are two interrelated questions to which I don't think there are precise answers to. Others may know more here but I'll tell you what I think.

Regarding pitch count, apparently each pitcher is assigned a pitch count when they enter the game, this is based on a look back (the length of time is not clear but it seems to be three days--documentation says a "few"). Unfortunately, it does not seem to be exactly predictable. Basically, if relievers are used in consecutive games or used heavily in one game they increasingly run the risk of entering games fatigued.

https://stratomatic365.fandom.com/wiki/ ... nt_Fatigue
https://stratomatic365.fandom.com/wiki/ ... ount_Rules
https://stratomatic365.fandom.com/wiki/Bullpen_v3

Typically Hal interprets assignments to be restrictive, meaning if there is a pitcher assigned closer, that pitcher will be held for those specifically designated situations--so if you have a fat lead, he won't put the closer in until it is a closing situation--which sometimes means the fatigued set up or mop up guy gets clobbered until well....its too late.

So...as Rich showed in detail, good luck doing forensics on that one.

But yet another example of the potential for strange outcomes when over-specifying reliever roles.
What is over-specifying? Don't know until it happens. Thus, the threads on providing HAL as many degrees of freedom as possible where it makes sense.

Like was explained, HAL has a business rule priority system that we cannot see. But we can safely assume that if you have a higher priced reliever locked up in a closer or other higher leverage role, then HAL seems to try and honor that to a fault--because if he uses your top reliever in a wipeout situation, now would you be happy that your top tier R1 guy is not available for a 1-0 game the next night that you lose 2-1?

It's a tough call and can be frustrating. Not minimizing your experience, just sharing the debate we have had in various threads here.

Thanks for the thoughts. I may have been heavy handed on rules. Looking 3 games back, instead of two, there was a high pitch count. Sequence: 43 then the two lower numbers.

There are tradeoffs either way...comes down to looking at the results in detail the way you are doing, maybe posting for ideas, and then tweaking to your comfort.
Good luck and Cheers,
Frank