The CPU's Use of Relief Pitchers

[Infinite202]

Hey guys, I was just wondering if you could give me some input on this.

After playing a couple of seasons in my franchise (and still going strong!), I've been wondering, how exactly does the CPU decide what relief pitcher to bring in? The only reason I think about this is because midway through a season, I'll look at the number of games the different relief pitchers on another club pitch and it can vary very much. I understand that the CPU only brings in closers in 9th inning save situations, but what about everyone else? Do they use set-up guys like they're supposed to? Do they mostly bring in the relief pitchers with the best stats, or the best ratings?

Thanks.

[PORTUGESEPIKACHU]

I remember in RTTS i was a closer and I played innings 11 innings of extra innings, because there was no one else to use, and the CPU never brings out starters.

[Rod_Carew29]

the CPU will use pitchers based on stamina, appearance and game situation---with that said, I and a few others here will tell you with absolute certainty, that the excessive number of relievers (not counting closers) who have stamina ratings between 25 and 45 to 50, hurt the appearance totals. And it doesn't address specialist relievers (guys who may appear in 70 games, but pitch a total of like 40 innings only). Nor in most cases, are guys who pitch almost the same amount of games as appearances accurately shown in the totals

The villian 99% of the time are the artificially high stamina attributes assigned to a majority of relievers...

Don't even get me started on starters...LOL

Quote: Originally Posted by Infinite202

Hey guys, I was just wondering if you could give me some input on this. After playing a couple of seasons in my franchise (and still going strong!), I've been wondering, how exactly does the CPU decide what relief pitcher to bring in? The only reason I think about this is because midway through a season, I'll look at the number of games the different relief pitchers on another club pitch and it can vary very much. I understand that the CPU only brings in closers in 9th inning save situations, but what about everyone else? Do they use set-up guys like they're supposed to? Do they mostly bring in the relief pitchers with the best stats, or the best ratings? Thanks.

[cnelly4]

I wish they would make reliever logic more realistic. Teams should just a lefty specialist and their bullpen should struggle if they have a righty facing a big time lefty pitcher. The commentators say they bring a lefty out of the pen to face the lefty, but then that guy stays in and pitches two innings or so.

[bostonsportsrule]

I've noticed sometimes, like when you have a three-game series with another team, the same RP will show up in all of the games. Maybe not the first guy out there after the starter leaves, but I'm pretty sure I've played like, Toronto, and Brandon League will come in at some point in each game, or Scott Downs.

[Rod_Carew29]

funny you mention that, the ONLY time I've seen that--where I may have brought in a left-handed batter to face the opposition's right-hander--only to have the CPU bring in a lefty--was with MVP 2005. Havent seen it since.

Quote: Originally Posted by cnelly4

I wish they would make reliever logic more realistic. Teams should just a lefty specialist and their bullpen should struggle if they have a righty facing a big time lefty pitcher. The commentators say they bring a lefty out of the pen to face the lefty, but then that guy stays in and pitches two innings or so.

[rudyjuly2]

I'd like to see the fatigue done better for relievers. They can pitch too long on default. They need to find a way to let relievers stamina drain faster during a game but also let them heal quicker between games so you can use them more. Right now it appears that starters and relievers use the same system to recover which isn't right. Maybe I'm wrong but it just seems off.

A guy like Todd Jones for the Tigers (at least a couple years ago before he retired) couldn't even give you two innings of effective relief. He was a one inning only guy. Some closers can go two innings. But even though Jones couldn't pitch long per outing, he could still give you 2 or 3 straight days of one inning appearances before needing a rest. I do think this is something that needs tweaking.

I'd also like to see the cpu AI improve in the NL as they rarely use the double switch when I use it all the time.

[Rod_Carew29]

you're absolutely right in all that you say...
at least we have the choice (if we want to invest hours upon hours) of changing all pitchers' stamina in the game...
I know most won't do it, don't have the patience to go through hundreds of pitchers or think it's sacreligious to tamper...but sometimes ya gotta do what's neccessary

Quote: Originally Posted by rudyjuly2

I'd like to see the fatigue done better for relievers. They can pitch too long on default. They need to find a way to let relievers stamina drain faster during a game but also let them heal quicker between games so you can use them more. Right now it appears that starters and relievers use the same system to recover which isn't right. Maybe I'm wrong but it just seems off. A guy like Todd Jones for the Tigers (at least a couple years ago before he retired) couldn't even give you two innings of effective relief. He was a one inning only guy. Some closers can go two innings. But even though Jones couldn't pitch long per outing, he could still give you 2 or 3 straight days of one inning appearances before needing a rest. I do think this is something that needs tweaking. I'd also like to see the cpu AI improve in the NL as they rarely use the double switch when I use it all the time.