Few basic questions

[MWill6]

Just a few questions to anyone willing to help. How do you handle your bullpen? New at baseball here and I pretty much sub my starter out around the 6th or 7th inning once it's time for him to bat. I play in the NL as the Marlins. Then use a mrp. The setup man for the 8 and the closer when I'm winning for the 9th. Is that standard?

And should I switch which reliever every game or just matchup based?

1 more.... How many innings do players usually play in spring training. I know how the NFL preseason works. Just trying to understand this.

Thanks

[countryboy]

Re: Few basic questions

When it comes to dealing with the starting pitcher, I choose when to sub him out based on a few factors:

* Effectiveness
* Pitch Count/Energy Level
* Situations when it comes his turn to bat.
EX: Run scoring opportunity in the later innings of a game that we are trailing or that is close

If my starter his high energy, is very effective, and we are winning the game then I leave him out there and rest my bullpen.

When it comes to the bullpen you need to pay attention to their fatigue level. Relievers typically have lower stamina than that of starting pitchers and therefore cannot throw very many pitches before they become tired and less effective. I wouldn't use the same reliever game after game due to the fact of wearing them out.

I typically have my starters play 4 or 5 innings in Spring Training and then bring in the subs. Some games I let only subs play as I'm trying to determine my 25 man roster and am wanting to see how certain players perform.

This is a very brief overview to respond to the questions you asked. There are a host of situations that can arise during a baseball game/season that will effect how one handles their lineup/bullpen.

I hope this helps in some way.

[Spokker]

Re: Few basic questions

Everything is relative.

When I'm getting close to thinking about taking out my starting pitcher, I look at the game plan moving forward.

Who is coming up to bat? Is it the heart of the order or the 7, 8 and 9 guys?

How does my bullpen look? If I'm playing franchise, should I push my starter to give the bullpen time to rest?

If I do decide to push my starter, what should trigger his removal? Sometimes I go into "one more base runner mode" where I take him out if he gives up a walk or a hit. This is dangerous if you're only down by one so I tend to do it if I have a decent lead.

I look more at what is actually happening in the game than stats or attributes. But I'm also not going to let anyone other than my ace throw more than 100 pitches. And that's only if he has high confidence.

[MWill6]

Re: Few basic questions

Thanks guys.. This info should definitely help a bit. Football and basketball, sports I have played and grew up a part of are thinking games as well. But this is really a chess match. So many layers and strategies that'll probably take years to learn.

Also let me make sure I understand this. My long relief pitcher is usually a young guy who typically comes in if we are getting blown out early say before the 5th? And in the event of injury to the starter?

So lets say neither of those happen for a few games.. Would it be normal to give him a few innings as a regular reliever here and there? Or is the purpose to keep him fresh in case of emergency?

[countryboy]

Re: Few basic questions

Thanks guys.. This info should definitely help a bit. Football and basketball, sports I have played and grew up a part of are thinking games as well. But this is really a chess match. So many layers and strategies that'll probably take years to learn.

Also let me make sure I understand this. My long relief pitcher is usually a young guy who typically comes in if we are getting blown out early say before the 5th? And in the event of injury to the starter?

So lets say neither of those happen for a few games.. Would it be normal to give him a few innings as a regular reliever here and there? Or is the purpose to keep him fresh in case of emergency?

I tend to use my long reliever as a normal reliever. I don't hold him back for emergencies or anything like that. If my starter gets injured or is getting destroyed early, then if my long reliever is rested then I'll bring him in. If not, then its time to utilize the bullpen to the best of my ability to get us through one game.

[Syce]

Re: Few basic questions

I tend to use my long reliever as a normal reliever. I don't hold him back for emergencies or anything like that. If my starter gets injured or is getting destroyed early, then if my long reliever is rested then I'll bring him in. If not, then its time to utilize the bullpen to the best of my ability to get us through one game.

typically it is what i do as well, but i do factor in the starting pitchers energy at the start of the game, this usually takes place when you play many games before your teams next day off so typically your starters day for pitching may come up where they are not fully rested yet. also currently my long reliever is a lefty so i watch for that as well.

[Yngwie Swain]

Re: Few basic questions

What these guys said is pretty much it for me, too. Just a couple thoughts.

You hit the nail on the head with the description of a "chess match" when it comes to baseball. So many factors to put into consideration for every pitch of every inning. I put my guidelines as follows by rank.

4. The Score when a situation demands I substitute a pinch-hitter in a no-DH game. Always have to look at the situation closely- no wasting pitches on my staff simply because I have only one out in the 4th inning and am behind 1-0 with a man on 3rd. Just use that pull logically as possible.

3. What the score is vs what I have on my stamina meters available in the bullpen. Is there a day off after this game, maybe? If in a no-DH game, see above.

2. Pitch count per inning=10 average. If I can't get enough offense to protect him, this won't matter, of course...but it's the second most important thing to me.

finally

1. Overall game Pitch Count. This is a scale I use with Starter stamina. I tend to never use a starter with a stamina less than 70 on my major league roster. With that said...I use Stamina 90 to 99 pitchers for 100 pitches each every other start (again-gotta look at effectiveness as well in the game)

As far as a long reliever goes, you can usually pick up some very usable guys in the Rule 5 drafts during the offseason and I recommend stocking 2 or 3 of them in your system somewhere, should an unexpected player become available or you need room in a trade (for a drop). As I said...stick with anybody above 70 stamina as a starter in the system, usually...guys between 45 and 69 look at for long relief in most cases.

Happy gaming!