Tue Dec 20, 2022 2:37 am
I have not had those issues with reliever choices since I stopped specifying roles. Haven't played in a little while, but using that strategy I have mostly been pleased for almost 2 years. Very little reliever heartburn. In fact, HAL has even properly used reverse lefties and righties when given full latitude.
I agree with most of goffchile's points from my own experience.
But I may have some bias because of how I construct my teams. It may be noted that TLD was adamant about using adequate relievers and he was clearly a top manager consistently.
Don't have anything bulletproof, but along the lines of goffchile's post...
Never put relievers on your staff you don't want used unless you are strictly using starter aces and minimizing bullpen (which is a boring but effective strategy since BP v3).
Do put 5-6 relievers on your staff and ensure the price delta from high to low is not high. What is high. I dunno--it is a feel. For instance, a 5M reliever with 1m guys is a high price delta.
A mopup guy is one of the most important roles IMO--it gives HAL decision space so he doesn't save people. It is the only role I ever specify.
So, if you want examples using an 80M basis:
Ex1: 1 hard righty (<1M), 1 hard-ish righty (<1M), 1 hard lefty (<1M), 1 hard-ish lefty(<1M), 1 reverse lefty(1M), 1 reverse righty (1M).
Ex2: 2 hard R, 2 hard L, an anchor reliever and a mopup. The hard guys s/b somewhat cheap <1M, with avoids for the weak side and probably quick hook. The anchor s/b 2-3M and good to both sides (depending on park, yadda yadda) and the mopup should be like a 1M even to reverse handed type. Set the anchor for highest leverage situations--ie do not use before x inning, slow hook, and no avoids, and at least an R2.
If letting HAL make the calls, you have to give the AI max selections, else the primitive business rules paralyze HAL's options and give "deranged" results and morning heartburn.
I have been pretty happy with HAL's bullpen management when I use a bullpen. There are threads on it and I still do it this way when using a bullpen--but it still is a narrower success margin than just stud starters and minimal relievers. Along with heavy platoons, it is a reason the game became pretty stale for me.
Note it is much more challenging if you are using hard righties and are in a lefty park etc. It requires more care than using stud starters, which is generally more effective and simpler.