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At least in OOTP5, half of my strategy is how to convince the AI to handle my staff appropriately in on-line legues. The following is what has worked for me.
I tend to go with starters with relatively weak stamina (cheaper salaries, easier to acquire, and easier to develop). Also, I use an extremely quick hook, and even a short pitch count for weaker starters. As a result, the bullpen is central to my success -- or failure.
I go with 6-7 relievers. I aim to have at least two top notch guys in the pen, one as my CL and the other as my #1 MR. If things work ideally:
*My starters tend strongly towards right (or left) handers, and my #1 MR is opposite.
*My #1 MR has very good stamina, and racks up a huge number of innings. (I've had this guy lead my team in wins in some on-line leagues. Trinidad Valdez of my ABA Brahmas got something like 24 wins one year.)
*Most of my other middle relievers and setup men match the MR's handedness, but the CL is opposite.
To support this strategy, I draft a lot of middle relievers. This is easy because, practically always, a middle reliever is the best player available. I then convert a few to starters, using the five stamina points. Of course, I can convert any MR to closer. I rarely draft anyone with "avoiding BB" talent less than good. For many of these players, I annually put the five spring training stamina points into the other three areas, especially control.
It will be interesting to see how this translates into OOTP6. Several of my co-owners have told me that it may not work as well due to the new combined starter/reliever endurance rating, and maybe they are right, although I don't think it will matter so much. I will be more interested in seeing whether the AI continues to favor the #1MR heavily. If I can count on the AI continuing to use that guy repeatedly, as long as he is not tired, I think the basic strategy will continue to work. However, if my stratgey of pulling starters means that tons of innings will go to the dregs of my bullpen, then my on-line teams are in trouble.
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