Auto-generating Lineups from Depth Charts

[Baby Ruth]

Is there a way to do this and have the game leave your depth charts alone? I've created my depth charts, including when I want other players to play, pinch hitters, and defensive substitutions. I don't want to build lineups myself. How do I get the game to build lineups based on my setup?

[Brad K]

On the actions tab select "Ask manager for lineup" or "Ask bench coach for lineup".

[Baby Ruth]

Originally Posted by Brad K

On the actions tab select "Ask manager for lineup" or "Ask bench coach for lineup".

Thanks. Will this take into consideration people that I want to play every 5th game and stuff like that?

[AdequateRandomGaming]

Originally Posted by Baby Ruth

Thanks. Will this take into consideration people that I want to play every 5th game and stuff like that?

Yes. It should not touch your depth chart. However, your idea of who should be the starter at any given position could be different than the AI's, so it might be a good idea to check back between the generated lineups and your depth charts to make sure there is no overlap.
What I personally do is have the computer generate lineups + depth charts, then go modify the depth charts to my liking afterwards, but that may not be something you want to do if you've put a lot of time on them already.

[Baby Ruth]

Originally Posted by AdequateRandomGaming

Yes. It should not touch your depth chart. However, your idea of who should be the starter at any given position could be different than the AI's, so it might be a good idea to check back between the generated lineups and your depth charts to make sure there is no overlap.

This is what I want to avoid. I've already decided who I want playing where and with which frequency. I don't want anyone deciding who the starters should be. I've already decided that. All I want done is lineups created from the existing depth chart information. Sounds like this can't be done.

[Matt Arnold]

If you have the AI create a lineup, it will create that based on the starters listed in the depth chart. It won't touch the depth charts at all.

By default, it won't set different lineups for when players sit - all those decisions are made in the game itself when it sits players, although you can influence that by the various "force start in lineup spot X" or by setting daily lineups.

[Baby Ruth]

Originally Posted by Matt Arnold

If you have the AI create a lineup, it will create that based on the starters listed in the depth chart. It won't touch the depth charts at all.

That's the impression I got from the first response in this thread, but then the next one said that my 'idea of who should be the starter at any given position could be different than the AI's, so it might be a good idea to check back between the generated lineups and your depth charts.' This implied that the computer would possibly ignore my choices for starters when generating lineups.

If you're saying that lineup generation will be based on my depth charts and won't substitute just because it thinks they should be the starter then I'm ok with that. That's a good starting point.

If let the system create those starting lineups, can it also auto-generate 7-day lineups based on my depth chart plan?

[Matt Arnold]

Originally Posted by Baby Ruth

That's the impression I got from the first response in this thread, but then the next one said that my 'idea of who should be the starter at any given position could be different than the AI's, so it might be a good idea to check back between the generated lineups and your depth charts.' This implied that the computer would possibly ignore my choices for starters when generating lineups.

If you're saying that lineup generation will be based on my depth charts and won't substitute just because it thinks they should be the starter then I'm ok with that. That's a good starting point.

If let the system create those starting lineups, can it also auto-generate 7-day lineups based on my depth chart plan?

No, 7-days are only handled manually.

[Brad K]

Originally Posted by Baby Ruth

This implied that the computer would possibly ignore my choices for starters when generating lineups.

I have been setting the depth charts and using the lineup button as described "forever" and the game does what I want. When I'm not sure who is better at a position and divide the playing time between two players the game does that. There are situations where the game doesn't quite do what I want but this isn't one of them.

[Baby Ruth]

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm convinced that the system won't touch my depth charts unless I tell it to.

I'm still a little confused on how the game uses multiple players I've assigned to a position.

Let's say I have someone I want to play 2nd base every 3rd game. If I generate the lineup I'm assuming that the system will create it based on the primary player. But even though the primary player is the one showing in the lineup will the game put my 2nd choice in his place in the lineup every 3rd game without me having to intervene?

[Matt Arnold]

Originally Posted by Baby Ruth

Thanks for the responses. I think I'm convinced that the system won't touch my depth charts unless I tell it to.

I'm still a little confused on how the game uses multiple players I've assigned to a position.

Let's say I have someone I want to play 2nd base every 3rd game. If I generate the lineup I'm assuming that the system will create it based on the primary player. But even though the primary player is the one showing in the lineup will the game put my 2nd choice in his place in the lineup every 3rd game without me having to intervene?

Yes, if you're simming out, then every 3rd game (or it really ends up being more like "if it has been 3 games since he has started at that position" or the starter is tired), it will sub in the depth player, and then it may shift the lineup around to fit them in - mostly since if, say, Ruth sits for someone, you might not want them hitting 3rd or 4th in the lineup.

[luckymann]

You can also increase your control by editing strategy at the player level, although the problem here can often be overusage as it tends to override depth chart settings when you use the "force play" option. When I'm force-playing a player I usually try to set the "bench when fatigued" relatively high and that will get you some more equitable rotation amongst the group. Tinker about with it and after a bit of trial and error you'll get pretty close to want you want in all situations.

[Baby Ruth]

I don't want to have to delve too deeply into individual player strategies and usage. Those things just aren't very interesting to me as a casual player. I want to mostly be responsible for setting up my pitching rotation and my player usage through depth charts and let the game do the rest. I'm just trying to find the best way to do that.