Which is the more important spot in the bullpen and where should I put my better reliever?

Libid21 · 07-15-2010, 09:32 PM

Just wondering... which spot in the bullpen gets more significant innings? Middle Reliever #1 or Setup Reliever #2? I have two similar-rated relievers. I have a closer and setup man already but I don't know which to put the guy with the better 'stuff'. In real life, I would think the set up guy #2 is more important because he'd be used as the 7th inning guy (Peter Moylan from the Braves as an example). But yeah, I'm just wondering. Thanks.

jagreen · 07-15-2010, 09:54 PM

I think a big part of this depends on how good your team is/will be? If you are a good squad the set up man should get more innings. If you are getting pounded regularly then your MR will get more innings.

damientheomen3 · 07-15-2010, 10:14 PM

Top MR is definitely more important than #2 set up man. In fact, I'd say that top MR is more important than top setup man, because the top MR usually has to shoulder the burden out of the bullpen and pitch the most.

RamMan12 · 07-15-2010, 11:09 PM

Whenever I check, my Set-Up #2 guy always plays in less games than my MR #1. I think the AI automatically goes to Set-Up #1 every time in a game unless he is tired, and only then will Set-Up #2 play.

So I'd put the better reliever at MR #1 to get the most out of him.

Killing Time · 07-15-2010, 11:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by damientheomen3

Top MR is definitely more important than #2 set up man. In fact, I'd say that top MR is more important than top setup man, because the top MR usually has to shoulder the burden out of the bullpen and pitch the most.

Agreed.

Left-handed Badger · 07-16-2010, 12:31 AM

Whatever you do do NOT put him in 2nd setup spot. That is the 20 inning a year mop up spot. AI NEVER uses the 2nd setup man for anything. In past OOTPs, I have had guys who I took out of roles totally to get rest in September still pitch more innings than #2 setup guy.

bschr682 · 07-16-2010, 04:03 AM

Kinda on the same note. Wheres the best spot for the lefty specialist? I usually put him in the setup #2 role. Is there a better way to handle that?

kq76 · 07-16-2010, 05:16 AM

OOTP's reliever system leaves a great deal to be desired. You may want to consider doing like some people did and just clear all the bullpen spots.

I figure there's two systems most everyone would be happy with:

1) Modern MLB - set relievers for each inning given the score; best reliever gets put in the 9th in close games, 2nd best in the 8th in close games and so on

2) Classic MLB - bring your best relievers into the game duing the highest leverage situations as long as they're not tired; close game in the 7th with men on? bring your #1 stopper in now because the game might not be close come the 9th.

Ideally, you could tell the AI which method you prefer and then it would do the rest. Or if you'd rather tell it exactly what to do, something like the overall team strategy screen where you get to set things based on inning and score differential would work for both systems. The only thing is in addition to inning and score differential, you probably want to also add in the "men on base" situation.

snepp · 07-16-2010, 08:03 AM

Here's a couple things I do that give me some results I like.

My best reliever gets placed in the closer role and as MR #3 or #4 (depending on bullpen size). This leads to him pitching the most games, the most innings (if decent stamina), and ends up with the most saves.

My second best reliever gets the #1 MR spot.

My best reliever with terrible stamina typically gets the setup #1 spot.

If I only have one lefty, they typically get placed in one of the MR spots and the setup #2 spot.

GMLoophole · 07-16-2010, 10:26 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bschr682

Kinda on the same note. Wheres the best spot for the lefty specialist? I usually put him in the setup #2 role. Is there a better way to handle that?

The only good way I have found to handle this is by managing games. I have had really good luck in my dynasty doing this with Doug Slaten, but in the online league he's gotten shelled. I don't think there's a way to set this, and as pointed out the AI doesn't do a great job of it all the time. I do have to say that when I manage games the AI DOES do a fairly good job of managing righty-lefty splits.

This is a great thread, BTW, so thanks to everyone. I've struggled with these things too and been frustrated when the #2 setup doesn't get used.

07-16-2010, 12:31 AM	#6
Left-handed Badger Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: at the altar of the baseball god praying for middle infield that can catch the ball Posts: 2,036	Whatever you do do NOT put him in 2nd setup spot. That is the 20 inning a year mop up spot. AI NEVER uses the 2nd setup man for anything. In past OOTPs, I have had guys who I took out of roles totally to get rest in September still pitch more innings than #2 setup guy. __________________ -Left-handed groundball specialist -Strikeouts are for wimps

07-16-2010, 05:16 AM	#8
kq76 Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Vancouver, Canada Posts: 11,695	OOTP's reliever system leaves a great deal to be desired. You may want to consider doing like some people did and just clear all the bullpen spots. I figure there's two systems most everyone would be happy with: 1) Modern MLB - set relievers for each inning given the score; best reliever gets put in the 9th in close games, 2nd best in the 8th in close games and so on 2) Classic MLB - bring your best relievers into the game duing the highest leverage situations as long as they're not tired; close game in the 7th with men on? bring your #1 stopper in now because the game might not be close come the 9th. Ideally, you could tell the AI which method you prefer and then it would do the rest. Or if you'd rather tell it exactly what to do, something like the overall team strategy screen where you get to set things based on inning and score differential would work for both systems. The only thing is in addition to inning and score differential, you probably want to also add in the "men on base" situation. __________________ My OOTP Wishlist \| My FAQ List OOTP Wiki \| Your Recommended Team Nicknames, By City (A Crowdsourced Project) Last edited by kq76; 07-16-2010 at 09:15 AM.

07-15-2010, 09:32 PM	#1
Libid21 All Star Reserve Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 540	Which is the more important spot in the bullpen and where should I put my better reliever? Just wondering... which spot in the bullpen gets more significant innings? Middle Reliever #1 or Setup Reliever #2? I have two similar-rated relievers. I have a closer and setup man already but I don't know which to put the guy with the better 'stuff'. In real life, I would think the set up guy #2 is more important because he'd be used as the 7th inning guy (Peter Moylan from the Braves as an example). But yeah, I'm just wondering. Thanks. __________________ "It is the nature of being the general manager of a baseball team that you have to remain on familiar terms with people you are continually trying to screw." - Michael Lewis in Moneyball

07-15-2010, 09:54 PM	#2
jagreen Minors (Double A) Join Date: Mar 2010 Posts: 160	I think a big part of this depends on how good your team is/will be? If you are a good squad the set up man should get more innings. If you are getting pounded regularly then your MR will get more innings.

07-15-2010, 11:09 PM	#4
RamMan12 Major Leagues Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Maine Posts: 482	Whenever I check, my Set-Up #2 guy always plays in less games than my MR #1. I think the AI automatically goes to Set-Up #1 every time in a game unless he is tired, and only then will Set-Up #2 play. So I'd put the better reliever at MR #1 to get the most out of him.

07-16-2010, 04:03 AM	#7
bschr682 Minors (Double A) Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Wisconsin Posts: 119	Kinda on the same note. Wheres the best spot for the lefty specialist? I usually put him in the setup #2 role. Is there a better way to handle that?

07-16-2010, 08:03 AM	#9
snepp All Star Starter Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,459	Here's a couple things I do that give me some results I like. My best reliever gets placed in the closer role and as MR #3 or #4 (depending on bullpen size). This leads to him pitching the most games, the most innings (if decent stamina), and ends up with the most saves. My second best reliever gets the #1 MR spot. My best reliever with terrible stamina typically gets the setup #1 spot. If I only have one lefty, they typically get placed in one of the MR spots and the setup #2 spot.