Working in the NL.

[forme95]

Ok, I am a American league guy. I dont know much about the National league, but I want to start a Franchise with the Atlanta Braves. Im looking for some tips to help me out. IE: Do you carry more pitchers because they hit, more LR or MR? I dont quite understand the double switch.... Just some helpful advice. I want to learn the NL side of baseball. Thanks

[Mike Lowe]

Re: Working in the NL.

Pinch hitters are as valuable perhaps as an extra pitcher--you don't want a MR coming to bat in an extra inning game.

Double switch: Let's say you're bringing in a lefty relief pitcher with 2 outs already to face 3 lefty batters in a row. Your pitcher's spot in the batting order is up next though, and you'd like to have your lefty RP still available next inning without having to take an at bat. The guy who made the last out for you is your 8 hitter 2B who is mediocre. You can do a double switch so that the pitcher will now bat 8th (last in the lineup from this point in the game) and you can bring in a pinch hitter to lead off the next inning or just use the other 2B you are bringing in via the double switch.

That's just one example, but you can use them to reposition weaker hitters who'd be coming to the plate potentially and extend the shelf life for relief pitchers.

[HypoLuxa13]

Re: Working in the NL.

Yeah, get to know and love the double switch. Along with this, you need to be aware of where you are at in the batting order, so you know if a double switch is actually the WRONG move to make.

Also, when the pitcher is due up soon, it is good to have a strategy pre-formed for what you want to do if you have runners on base when the pitcher's spot is coming up. Nothing worse than getting a rally started and then realizing after you get a couple guys on that your pitcher is up next and you have 2 outs. So keep this in mind as you decide how aggressive to be with your base runners. 2 outs, 1 man on and pitcher at bat? Don't get caught stealing and force your pitcher to lead off the next inning. But if your #8 hitter knocks one in the gap with a runner on in front of him, maybe think about sending the lead runner home to try and score? Cause if you stop him at 3rd and the pitcher is coming up, chances are slim you'll knock him in.

Just some things to think about.

[forme95]

Re: Working in the NL.

Thanks for the tips guys. They will for sure help. I always use the Indians when I do a franchise and Ive always wanted to try the Braves (moms favorite team) but wasnt sure how different it would be compared to the AL.

[Yari]

Re: Working in the NL.

Timing when to warm up your pitchers is also important. Generally when I know I want to bring in a new pitcher in the next inning, I'll start having a guy stretch and toss and set him to warm up after an out when I'm up to bat. That way he doesn't overextend himself in the bullpen. Preferably I carry one or two extra starters as long relievers but that's because I value stamina highly in my bullpen.
If you have a runner on base and less than two outs with a pitcher up, don't be afraid to let the pitcher bunt to attempt and advance the runners.
As for the double switch that's situational knowledge that the others can tell you better than I can due to the fact that I hardly use it myself, it's definitely a good tool to have for those substitutions late in games so you can postpone the pitcher's spot in the order

[forme95]

Re: Working in the NL.

Timing when to warm up your pitchers is also important. Generally when I know I want to bring in a new pitcher in the next inning, I'll start having a guy stretch and toss and set him to warm up after an out when I'm up to bat. That way he doesn't overextend himself in the bullpen. Preferably I carry one or two extra starters as long relievers but that's because I value stamina highly in my bullpen.
If you have a runner on base and less than two outs with a pitcher up, don't be afraid to let the pitcher bunt to attempt and advance the runners.
As for the double switch that's situational knowledge that the others can tell you better than I can due to the fact that I hardly use it myself, it's definitely a good tool to have for those substitutions late in games so you can postpone the pitcher's spot in the order

I plan to ease myself into the Double Switch lol. As games go on, Im sure I will see it from the other teams, so that will help too. I get the just of how it works.

Thanks for the pitchers bunting info. I actually in my first game, had that come up a few times and it worked out great both times. I wasnt really sure if NL pitchers bunted lol, or they swung away more. However, I had one situation where I had players on 1st and 2nd with no outs. The pitcher batted and I had them bunt them over. Then later in the game, I had bases loaded with 1 out, and (I was afraid of a DP) I timed a squeeze bunt that worked out.
Definitely having a blast in the NL. IDK what it is, but it really seems to play different then Im use to.

[BrianM207]

Re: Working in the NL.

Pitchers bunting can also be situational at times.

If you have your #8 hitter lead off with a douvle, there's no sense in having the pitcher bunt him to 3rd.

Your giving up an out to have your runner remain in scoring position(albeit a little bit closer).

Something like that, just swing away...worst case he strikes out and your runner is still in scoring position. Best case your pitcher hits one to the OF and he scores.

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[MaricopaMetFan]

Re: Working in the NL.

I believe most NL teams will carry 11 pitchers, and occasionally up that to 12 by sacrificing a bench player. 5 Starters, 1 Closer, 1 Long, 2 Medium, 2 Set up.

I'm running a new NL franchise right now with 12 pitchers, adding in another
long man who can spot start.

One of the times you'll find yourself using the double switch is when you may want to get an extra inning or two out of a relief pitcher, and you use the double to replace the last guy who made an out, or maybe the guy who was before him. Gives you almost the entire line up to go through before it's the pitcher's spot again.

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: Working in the NL.

This is interesting. I use the Mets and I know how to double switch but have never used it once! lol

[forme95]

Re: Working in the NL.

I believe most NL teams will carry 11 pitchers, and occasionally up that to 12 by sacrificing a bench player. 5 Starters, 1 Closer, 1 Long, 2 Medium, 2 Set up.

I'm running a new NL franchise right now with 12 pitchers, adding in another
long man who can spot start.

One of the times you'll find yourself using the double switch is when you may want to get an extra inning or two out of a relief pitcher, and you use the double to replace the last guy who made an out, or maybe the guy who was before him. Gives you almost the entire line up to go through before it's the pitcher's spot again.

I am currently running 6 Starters, 6 Relievers and 1 closer in mine. I have my 5 man rotation, SP as a LR, a actual LR, 3 MR, 2 SU and a Closer. Im running a six man rotation during long stretches and actually a 4 man during short stretches.

[Scribe1980]

Re: Working in the NL.

NL ball forces you to be cognizent of your lineup card in a way AL ball doesn't.

In a close game late, just make sure you are aware of where your pitcher's spot is the lineup. Will sometimes also force you to warm up and/or bring in bullpen guys.