[Pelican]

Remember also that a mound visit normally includes the infielders and the catcher, of course, as well as the pitcher. So the Manager can ask the catcher “how’s he doing” or “what’s wrong”. Tell the pitcher to bring the heat or to stick to offspeed on a dead-red hitter. He can discuss and set the defense, suggest a pick-off trick play, or simply stall for time to let his reliever in the bullpen throw a few more pitches. Not that I expect the game to capture all of these nuances. But those things all can happen IRL, so it provides context.

For example, if the other team sends up a pinch-hitter, young guy, just up to the majors, as Manager I might want to discuss with my battery how to pitch this mystery man, with my infield how to play him, even gesture to the outfielders to move around.

Does it always make a difference? Of course not. Sometimes all that talk and strategy backfires. In OOTP and IRL.