Too many LH SPs?

Brad K · 12-02-2020, 08:01 AM

Historical game.

Last year I had a league average pitching staff, 8th in runs allowed out of 14 teams and nearly equal SP and bullpen ERAs. SP were 2.5 Stars with one 3.0 Stars. Three of the five starters were LH.

Over the winter the 4.5 star LH CL morphed into a SP while one of the RH SP fell off the cliff. While the CL to SP is a nice improvement suddenly I'm looking at 4 of 5 starters being LH.

After an initial mental scramble for a solution I thought perhaps this isn't a bad thing. What do you think?

CBeisbol · 12-02-2020, 01:14 PM

There's no inherent reason it would be a bad thing

Specifically, it may matter if:
-your stadium favors right-handed hitters
-your division or league opponents have relatively more (or better) right-handed hitters
-your playoff opponents have relatively more (or better) right-handed hitters

But, of course, it may favor you if the opposites are true.
It also may favor you if stealing is emphasized in your league and your left-handed pitchers are better at holding runners

Questdog · 12-02-2020, 02:32 PM

Outs are outs and whoever can get 'em is who I want in my rotation. In my current league, my park favors right-handers and most of my good hitters and pitchers are left-handed. It is not an ideal situation, but the left-handers, even with the disadvantage of the park, are my best, so there they are....

fuzzy_patters · 12-02-2020, 06:24 PM

It shouldn’t be too big of a deal. The only thing that worries me with having too many same-handed starters is the pressure that it puts on the bullpen when playing in the modern era. If you have a lot of lefties, you will face a lot of right-handed platoons, which could mean increased usage for your right-handed relievers in the modern era. For that reason, if two guys are close, I usually give the benefit of the doubt to the guy who gives me a better L-R split in my rotation. If it isn’t close though, start the better pitcher even if they all throw with the same hand. The idea is to get out regardless of what hand you do it with.

Brad K · 12-02-2020, 06:30 PM

Thanks. My early thoughts were it was at worst neutral and possibly and advantage. My home park is symmetrical.

The CL who morphed to a superior SP got injured in spring training out for the season. Then more injuries hit so I've had only two LH SPs most of the season (its late June).

Maybe next year I'll get to try the 80% LH rotation.

Thanks for the input.

Timofmars · 12-03-2020, 01:19 AM

In my limited experience, playoff teams tend to be more lefty batter heavy, which helped them be more successful through the season, so I think it tend to be an advantage in the postseason, if just a minor disadvantage in the regular season. Though it may also give your RHPs in the bullpen a slightly more favorable matchup.

12-02-2020, 08:01 AM	#1
Brad K Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2016 Location: St Petersburg Florida USA Posts: 6,514 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Too many LH SPs? Historical game. Last year I had a league average pitching staff, 8th in runs allowed out of 14 teams and nearly equal SP and bullpen ERAs. SP were 2.5 Stars with one 3.0 Stars. Three of the five starters were LH. Over the winter the 4.5 star LH CL morphed into a SP while one of the RH SP fell off the cliff. While the CL to SP is a nice improvement suddenly I'm looking at 4 of 5 starters being LH. After an initial mental scramble for a solution I thought perhaps this isn't a bad thing. What do you think?

12-02-2020, 01:14 PM	#2
CBeisbol Banned Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Ban land in 3...2... Posts: 2,943	There's no inherent reason it would be a bad thing Specifically, it may matter if: -your stadium favors right-handed hitters -your division or league opponents have relatively more (or better) right-handed hitters -your playoff opponents have relatively more (or better) right-handed hitters But, of course, it may favor you if the opposites are true. It also may favor you if stealing is emphasized in your league and your left-handed pitchers are better at holding runners

12-02-2020, 02:32 PM	#3
Questdog Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: In a dark, damp cave where I'm training slugs to run the bases...... Posts: 16,142	Outs are outs and whoever can get 'em is who I want in my rotation. In my current league, my park favors right-handers and most of my good hitters and pitchers are left-handed. It is not an ideal situation, but the left-handers, even with the disadvantage of the park, are my best, so there they are....

12-02-2020, 06:24 PM	#4
fuzzy_patters All Star Starter Join Date: Jul 2011 Posts: 1,806	It shouldn’t be too big of a deal. The only thing that worries me with having too many same-handed starters is the pressure that it puts on the bullpen when playing in the modern era. If you have a lot of lefties, you will face a lot of right-handed platoons, which could mean increased usage for your right-handed relievers in the modern era. For that reason, if two guys are close, I usually give the benefit of the doubt to the guy who gives me a better L-R split in my rotation. If it isn’t close though, start the better pitcher even if they all throw with the same hand. The idea is to get out regardless of what hand you do it with.

12-02-2020, 06:30 PM	#5
Brad K Hall Of Famer Join Date: May 2016 Location: St Petersburg Florida USA Posts: 6,514 Infractions: 0/1 (1)	Thanks. My early thoughts were it was at worst neutral and possibly and advantage. My home park is symmetrical. The CL who morphed to a superior SP got injured in spring training out for the season. Then more injuries hit so I've had only two LH SPs most of the season (its late June). Maybe next year I'll get to try the 80% LH rotation. Thanks for the input.

12-03-2020, 01:19 AM	#6
Timofmars Minors (Triple A) Join Date: Feb 2018 Posts: 251	In my limited experience, playoff teams tend to be more lefty batter heavy, which helped them be more successful through the season, so I think it tend to be an advantage in the postseason, if just a minor disadvantage in the regular season. Though it may also give your RHPs in the bullpen a slightly more favorable matchup.