[Phillies_Aces35]

I think it's programed like that... for instance

NO starting pitcher in the game comes out to pitch the 9th inning having given up 2 earned runs or more through 8 innings pitched.... regardless of the pitch count/energy. Say for instance I'm pitching against Justin Verlander. If I score 2 runs on a home run in the first inning and he cruises through the rest of the game and has a pitch count of 88-90 pitches, he's not coming back out.

As soon as you give up the 2nd run, the starting pitcher isn't going to finish the game.

I don't think there's been enough emphasis on pitch counts. I mean, rarely, you'll get an Edwin Jackson in 2010 where he'll throw 135+ pitches, but generally, 100 and the guy is pulled. (in the game I mean... way too much in real life).

I also noticed the CPU pitcher never has a complete game loss. He's always taken out after 7 innings regardless of the score. I think maybe once in RTTS I've pitched an 8 inning complete game loss.

... and if they're down 3 or more runs in the 5th in the National League, it's automatic that the pitcher is going to be pinch hit for.