Why do Closers only pitch 2/3 of an inning?

JDOldSchool · 04-08-2005, 07:56 PM

I've noticed this a few times, pre and post 6.12.

I'm down 6-4 going to the bottom of the 9th. The opposing team brings in a relief pitcher with an ERA over 7. Wondering why they don't bring in the closer, I look to see if he's tired. In fact, he hasn't pitched in the last 5 days.

The reliever (right handed) gets my first batter out (also right handed). Then they bring in the closer (right handed) to get the final two outs.

Why does this frequently happen? Is there something in the programming that causes the AI to not recognize the save situation until an out is made?

ctorg · 04-09-2005, 11:38 AM

I haven't noticed that happening a whole lot. Are there times when you see it happening more than others? Like, does it happen when you're up by only one run as much? Perhaps, since it's not a do-or-die situation, the AI wants to save the closer as many pitches as possible but still get him the save. I don't know.

sporr · 04-09-2005, 12:19 PM

I have noticed this on occasion. The times that it has happened I've chalked it up to some minor quirk in the reliever logic. Hopefully, reliever logic will be much improved in the next version.

jaydh · 04-09-2005, 12:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by sporr

I have noticed this on occasion. The times that it has happened I've chalked it up to some minor quirk in the reliever logic. Hopefully, reliever logic will be much improved in the next version.

true, so many games lost to poor reliever management

BaseballMan · 04-09-2005, 04:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jaydh

true, so many games lost to poor reliever management

Sounds like some real mlb managers to me so maybe nothings wrong.

But could the ERA settings have anything to do with it. Like how soon you bring a releiver in?

I

JDOldSchool · 04-09-2005, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BaseballMan

Sounds like some real mlb managers to me so maybe nothings wrong.

But could the ERA settings have anything to do with it. Like how soon you bring a releiver in?

Well, see, the odd part isn't just that the closer isn't starting the inning. It's that the AI will use a different relief pitcher for the first batter. It's almost like they HAVE to use the set up man before using the closer (I haven't checked to see if the guys entering for 1 out are listed as set up men in the depth chart).

It'd be one thing if they left the starter in for that one batter or even if a reliever who was in the game previously stayed in. But here, the AI actually changes pitchers to start the inning, then again after an out. Very strange.

JDOldSchool · 04-09-2005, 06:45 PM

It just happened again. Same team, same deficit (2 runs), same two pitchers.

04-08-2005, 07:56 PM	#1
JDOldSchool Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,023	Why do Closers only pitch 2/3 of an inning? I've noticed this a few times, pre and post 6.12. I'm down 6-4 going to the bottom of the 9th. The opposing team brings in a relief pitcher with an ERA over 7. Wondering why they don't bring in the closer, I look to see if he's tired. In fact, he hasn't pitched in the last 5 days. The reliever (right handed) gets my first batter out (also right handed). Then they bring in the closer (right handed) to get the final two outs. Why does this frequently happen? Is there something in the programming that causes the AI to not recognize the save situation until an out is made?

04-09-2005, 11:38 AM	#2
ctorg Global Moderator Join Date: Nov 2002 Location: Queens, NY Posts: 9,848	I haven't noticed that happening a whole lot. Are there times when you see it happening more than others? Like, does it happen when you're up by only one run as much? Perhaps, since it's not a do-or-die situation, the AI wants to save the closer as many pitches as possible but still get him the save. I don't know. __________________ My music "When the trees blow back and forth, that's what makes the wind." - Steven Wright Fjord emena pancreas thorax fornicate marmalade morpheme proteolysis smaxa cabana offal srue vitriol grope hallelujah lentils

04-09-2005, 12:19 PM	#3
sporr Global Moderator Join Date: Dec 2001 Location: Muscatine, IA Posts: 8,277	I have noticed this on occasion. The times that it has happened I've chalked it up to some minor quirk in the reliever logic. Hopefully, reliever logic will be much improved in the next version.

04-09-2005, 06:45 PM	#7
JDOldSchool Hall Of Famer Join Date: Dec 2003 Posts: 4,023	It just happened again. Same team, same deficit (2 runs), same two pitchers.