how exactly does pitching rotation work?

[Schaefling]

I just tried to get my New York Mets pitching rotation ready for the playoffs. My number two starter was scheduled to pitch with three games left in the season. I set up the guys I wanted to throw in the two, three and four spots in the rotation assuming this was who would start.

Lo and Behold the computer starts my number two and three starters and then switches to my number one starter who I wanted to start the first game of the playoffs. Is this a glitch? If not is there someplace I can go to read up on exactly how to control my pitching rotation so this does not happen again?

[christoph]

The computer works its way through the line up, so your number one guy may not have played right away because maybe another pitcher was due up. Also, when juggling your rotation you have to pay attention to who is rested and who is not. Double-clicking the players will tell you how many days (0-4 days) a pitcher needs before he can start. Maybe you tried to start an unrested pitcher and your manager chose the next rested man instead.

[hwt1313]

The computer uses your highest ranked pitcher who is fully rested. After your 2nd and 3rd place starters pitched, your #1 pitcher must have been rested, so the computer jumped up.

If you really want to rest the top starters, move them to AAA. Call it using rookies from your 40 man roster.

[Schaefling]

I apprecaite the input. I now have a better understanding of how starters are used by the computer.

By the way all my pitchers were well rested so the computer must have switched to my number one starter as soon as he was fully rested.

In my thread entitled five-man rotation I indicated it would be nice to be able to force the computer to use five pitchers one after the other. It allows GMs to more easily rest their pitchers which I think is crucial for the playoffs.

A five man rotation also means you dont have to dip into your minors as much which increases the chances of one of your starters winning Pitcher of the Year.

Now after hearing that the computer automatically goes back to the number one starter as soon as he is rested I wish not only to be able to force a five-man rotation but also to force a four-man rotation when needed such as at the end of the season or more importantly in the playoffs.

This info further explains why many great pitchers get bombed in the playoffs. They are obviously exhausted from overuse by the computer.

[christoph]

If it is true that the five man rotation is not in effect, it certainly needs to be. What's the point of having the numbering if the computer does not follow this order. I often juggled my rotation to match specific pitchers against specific teams. Since I usually have not paid close attention to game summaries in this regard, I simply assumed that the computer started who I wanted. The computer ought to work its way through the rotation, i.e., if my number four guy is next up, the five guy should be next, then back to the first, and so on.

[Schaefling]

I agree completely with this last statement. To me it's obvious that the pitching rotation mechanics need work. Just look at my post "Glitch in Rotation" to see what I mean. My chances of winning the opening round of the playoffs were greatly reduced because the computer chose to start my number five starter on its own and against my wishes. By the way I lost that series in five games.

P.S. I urge all players to pay closer attention to how their starting pitchers are being used. You might be very unpleasantly surprised at what the computer does at times. Hopefully, though Clay will improve the mechanics of using the pitching rotation and ultimately give more control to the players.

[christoph]

Maybe somebody should send a note on this matter directly to the administrators. I am still not sure how pitchers are actually used, but I want the rotation to be as I set it. Considering that the rotation is numbered 1-5, I assumed that we had full control over the rotation. Are you absolutely positive that this is not followed? Again, having not closely checked my game summaries, I just assumed that this was the case. If it were not, why have the numbers?

[Clay Dreslough]

The computer cycles down through the rotation, with one exception: if the #1 pitcher is well rested, it will pitch him instead.

This is USUALLY a good idea. If you have a day off during the season then the rotation will go from #4 to #1, and skip the #5 pitcher, giving more starts to your best pitchers.

This is bad AI at the end of the season though when you are trying to set up your rotation for the playoffs, so it does need to be improved.

Would you prefer to see a strict 5-man rotation?

Or maybe a check-box that forces a 5-man rotation instead of going back to #1?

As this is something that needs some improvement, I'd like to hear your suggestions.

Clay

[nevets72]

I think a check box for a four man rotation would be good.

[christoph]

I would like to see a strict five man rotation. However, if possible, I would also like the OPTION of having the manager default to my best pitchers if they are well rested. But only as an option since I usually set up my rotation to maximize wins, i.e., I want my best staff members to pitch against the more difficult clubs. (What I really would like to see is a proper 40-man roster so that my bullpen could have more depth.)

[Schaefling]

Baseball mogul Online is shaping up great but the pitching rotation still needs work.

Using a check box to force a five-man rotation would really help but when players opt to use a four man rotation the computer should use all four pitchers in a row and not sometimes only use three pitchers which is what just happened to me.

As Colorado I was playing St. Louis in the NLCS or second round of the playoffs. My number two pitcher started game one and then my number three went. At this point the computer went to my number one pitcher for game three. Having pitched my number one pitcher the computer pitched my number two pitcher again on three days rest! My number four pitcher who went 20-4 with a 2.18 ERA was not used at all!

THIS IS NOT RIGHT. If it's a glitch it needs to be fixed. If it's rotation mechanics the code needs to be re-written.

Down three games to zero I probably would have lost anyway but who knows.

On a side note there is definitely something wrong in the playoffs with starting pitching. Many if not most starters seem to get progressively weaker as the playoffs go on. It's quite common to see starters go two or three innings while getting bombed and even good performances often only go five or six iinnings. It's like the starters have suddenly become exhausted in the playoffs and even resting them during the season often does not help.

[Schaefling]

I would love more feedback on this topic as I think it's one area where Baseball Mogul online could be improved. Please players read the posts on this topic and tell us what you think. Clay himself has asked for feedback on this topic so please speak up.

[kingjames]

I think it would be good, especially at certain points of the season, to be able to force either a four-man or five-man rotation. You should also be able to set the order and be certain that, provided he's rested, the next pitcher in the rotation takes the mound.

If you want your best pitcher going whenever he can, that should be an option. However, it should not be the ONLY option.