A Little AI Complaint

Charley575 · 08-25-2016, 01:35 PM

So I have a small complaint about in-game AI. Here's the situation...
Bottom of the 9th inning. First game of a double-header. We're up 7-0. Starter is still in the game. He's working on a 2-hit shutout. Walks first batter, then the next guy hits a two-run homer. He's now at 114 pitches. Time for a new pitcher. Who does AI manager bring in? Well, the closer of course.

Why?

We're still up by 5, and there's another game today when you might actually need the closer. Closer shouldn't be in there. Get the guy at the bottom of the bullpen to mop it up and rest everybody else. Now, I know the AI probably doesn't take double headers into account, but shouldn't it? It matters for pitcher rest status.

BoomerSoonerAMH · 08-25-2016, 04:13 PM

Was the rest of the bullpen available? If all the other guys were tired, then maybe that was the cause. Also, was the closer the only left/right hand pitcher available and the AI manager set to highly favor match-ups?

I agree it isn't a move you typically see, but there are certainly scenarios where it isn't crazy. If for example a win would clinch a division title, I'd use my closer to make sure we won the game.

Matt Arnold · 08-25-2016, 04:29 PM

Most likely could be a case of the closer hasn't pitched in a long time, and the AI GM just wanted to get him into a game.

Charley575 · 08-25-2016, 11:15 PM

Update:
Sure enough, game 2 ends in a 2-1 score. We win, but closer was unavailable. Third Middle Relief guy gets the save.

Lockdog · 08-25-2016, 11:37 PM

This supports the addition of the expanded roster rule for doubleheaders, which allows teams to carry an extra player. In this situation it would come in handy to have an extra reliever availale in the second game.

Charley575 · 08-25-2016, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BoomerSoonerAMH

Was the rest of the bullpen available? If all the other guys were tired, then maybe that was the cause. Also, was the closer the only left/right hand pitcher available and the AI manager set to highly favor match-ups?

I agree it isn't a move you typically see, but there are certainly scenarios where it isn't crazy. If for example a win would clinch a division title, I'd use my closer to make sure we won the game.

Yeah, we had 1 guy unavailable. I play with 27 man rosters (it's a fictional league) so we carry 13 pitchers. 5 starters 8 relievers.

Rain King · 08-26-2016, 10:02 AM

The AI just isn't programmed for DH's at this time I'd guess. If there isn't a 2nd game that day then there isn't really an issue (assuming the reason the AI used him is that he hadn't pitched in a while).

Klaus 74 · 08-26-2016, 05:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley575

We're still up by 5, and there's another game today when you might actually need the closer. Closer shouldn't be in there. Get the guy at the bottom of the bullpen to mop it up and rest everybody else. Now, I know the AI probably doesn't take double headers into account, but shouldn't it? It matters for pitcher rest status.

There are already good answers here but I wonder if the manager's rating may have anything do with it. Some in-game decisions by a poor/fair manager would not be made by one that is legendary.

If you get a chance let me know your manager's rating....just curious.

Charley575 · 08-26-2016, 06:04 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Klaus 74

There are already good answers here but I wonder if the manager's rating may have anything do with it. Some in-game decisions by a poor/fair manager would not be made by one that is legendary.

If you get a chance let me know your manager's rating....just curious.

Legendary. Former Pitching Coach.

Klaus 74 · 08-26-2016, 06:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Charley575

Legendary. Former Pitching Coach.

Oooops!! Thx, for your reply.

NoOne · 08-26-2016, 08:20 PM

what's the strategy for use of closers... shift to to situational and they probably do that less often, i bet. if he hasn't pitched in a while, this wasn't related and he likely will pitch in that first game, but it would be a good check to an existing bit of code that decides on putting a closer in for "work." if game 1 of a double header, wait for game 2 if lead is greater than X runs. that would be a simple addition to code that's already there.

days rest =x && blah blah=X && blah bla=blah && !game 1 of double header

would it cause repercussions? no idea, lol. seems easy but might not be in some cases.

08-25-2016, 01:35 PM	#1
Charley575 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 544	A Little AI Complaint So I have a small complaint about in-game AI. Here's the situation... Bottom of the 9th inning. First game of a double-header. We're up 7-0. Starter is still in the game. He's working on a 2-hit shutout. Walks first batter, then the next guy hits a two-run homer. He's now at 114 pitches. Time for a new pitcher. Who does AI manager bring in? Well, the closer of course. Why? We're still up by 5, and there's another game today when you might actually need the closer. Closer shouldn't be in there. Get the guy at the bottom of the bullpen to mop it up and rest everybody else. Now, I know the AI probably doesn't take double headers into account, but shouldn't it? It matters for pitcher rest status.

08-26-2016, 08:20 PM	#11
NoOne Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 7,273 Infractions: 0/1 (3)	what's the strategy for use of closers... shift to to situational and they probably do that less often, i bet. if he hasn't pitched in a while, this wasn't related and he likely will pitch in that first game, but it would be a good check to an existing bit of code that decides on putting a closer in for "work." if game 1 of a double header, wait for game 2 if lead is greater than X runs. that would be a simple addition to code that's already there. days rest =x && blah blah=X && blah bla=blah && !game 1 of double header would it cause repercussions? no idea, lol. seems easy but might not be in some cases. Last edited by NoOne; 08-26-2016 at 08:23 PM.

08-25-2016, 04:13 PM	#2
BoomerSoonerAMH Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2015 Posts: 111	Was the rest of the bullpen available? If all the other guys were tired, then maybe that was the cause. Also, was the closer the only left/right hand pitcher available and the AI manager set to highly favor match-ups? I agree it isn't a move you typically see, but there are certainly scenarios where it isn't crazy. If for example a win would clinch a division title, I'd use my closer to make sure we won the game.

08-25-2016, 04:29 PM	#3
Matt Arnold OOTP Developer Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Here and there Posts: 16,243	Most likely could be a case of the closer hasn't pitched in a long time, and the AI GM just wanted to get him into a game.

08-25-2016, 11:15 PM	#4
Charley575 All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: Ocala, FL Posts: 544	Update: Sure enough, game 2 ends in a 2-1 score. We win, but closer was unavailable. Third Middle Relief guy gets the save.

08-25-2016, 11:37 PM	#5
Lockdog Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Aug 2014 Posts: 263	This supports the addition of the expanded roster rule for doubleheaders, which allows teams to carry an extra player. In this situation it would come in handy to have an extra reliever availale in the second game.

08-26-2016, 10:02 AM	#7
Rain King Hall Of Famer Join Date: Nov 2005 Posts: 3,323	The AI just isn't programmed for DH's at this time I'd guess. If there isn't a 2nd game that day then there isn't really an issue (assuming the reason the AI used him is that he hadn't pitched in a while).