Regular Season Roster vs. Playoff Roster

[RoteLaterne]

Should I make changes from my regular season roster once the playoffs start?

I am thinking this: sending SP Nr. 5 to my reserve roster and adding one more reliefer/closer because they seem to have a better stuff rating compared to starters. 4 starters should be enough during the playoffs. I am normally playing a 4-men rotation (strict, on occassion highest rested in the playoffs).

What do you think about that adjustment?

Any other thoughts on that Q?

[daves]

Since there are planned days off in the post season I reduce my rotation from 5 to 4. I also send one pitcher to the reserve roster and add a player with speed, like Lou Brock, to be a #1 pinch runner.

[Dunzie]

Yeah that's my tactic too... drop whoever I decide had the worst regular season to the bullpen and go 4-man. Keep in mind some starters gain a bit of stuff being changed to a RP so play around with that a little. If one of your starters has weaker stamina or faded when not fully rested a little, they might make the best fit.

I generally check how my opponent did against RHP and LHP and tweak the rotation a little if there's a big discrepency and I have LHP to throw in the mix.

Lastly, sometimes worth swapping up your rotation order based on how the series is going, how the parks play into things, and of course if you are up or down in the series you may want to move up or down your 'ace' if one of your starters is clearly better than the others.

As for lineups, may want to see how your players did against their team and starters in the season if you played the team a lot, or look at their park and defensive ratings to get the best matchup.

[DonkeyKongSr]

Originally Posted by daves

Since there are planned days off in the post season I reduce my rotation from 5 to 4. I also send one pitcher to the reserve roster and add a player with speed, like Lou Brock, to be a #1 pinch runner.

Billy Hamilton, also set as defensive replacement in CF if you like, is a super cheap and awesome player to use for this. I've seen one instance of my own and twice on other teams where he pretty much manufactured the winning run in the playoffs with his legs. In my case he stole second, then stole third and strolled home on an errant throw to win the game.

[daves]

Originally Posted by DonkeyKongSr

Billy Hamilton, also set as defensive replacement in CF if you like, is a super cheap and awesome player to use for this. I've seen one instance of my own and twice on other teams where he pretty much manufactured the winning run in the playoffs with his legs. In my case he stole second, then stole third and strolled home on an errant throw to win the game.

Exactly the point I was trying to make. A lot of close games in the playoffs. A speedster can be a key late in the game.

[RoteLaterne]

Originally Posted by daves

Exactly the point I was trying to make. A lot of close games in the playoffs. A speedster can be a key late in the game.

Thanks for your thoughts. Appreciate it.
Added Lou Brock (value 64!) and Billy Hamilton (value 61!) and I will replace my starter nr. 5 with one of them.

Hopefully they don't have to bat too often.

[Dogberry99]

Depending on how your team is constructed, an infielder such as Aparicio or Belanger could also make a lot of sense in similar roles.

[daves]

Originally Posted by Dogberry99

Depending on how your team is constructed, an infielder such as Aparicio or Belanger could also make a lot of sense in similar roles.

Very true. A defensive backup can help as well.

I would have added just one of the speedsters, but since you added both, watch out base paths!

[OMGPuppies]

who are the best utility guys to have on your bench? How many relievers to carry?

[RoteLaterne]

Originally Posted by daves

Since there are planned days off in the post season I reduce my rotation from 5 to 4. I also send one pitcher to the reserve roster and add a player with speed, like Lou Brock, to be a #1 pinch runner.

How do you have his personal strategy set?
frequent base stealing and aggressive base running, right?

What about adjusting the team strategy?
I assume I only put him in in late and close situations, right?

[daves]

Originally Posted by RoteLaterne

How do you have his personal strategy set?
frequent base stealing and aggressive base running, right?

What about adjusting the team strategy?
I assume I only put him in in late and close situations, right?

I have not done this but it make sense to update his personal strategy. Depending on your team I am reluctant to change the team strategy since Lou might be you only speedster. Maybe put pinch run up a notch?

[RoteLaterne]

(1) I adjusted his personal strategy (stealing, running, bunt for hit)

plus

(2) global strategy of team using pinch runner in 9th with the score tied or +1/-1

[daves]

Originally Posted by RoteLaterne

(1) I adjusted his personal strategy (stealing, running, bunt for hit)

plus

(2) global strategy of team using pinch runner in 9th with the score tied or +1/-1

Good Luck