SIM COMPLETE - 1998 - SIM 25

[Delandis]

Because I'm gonna continue to harp on bullpen usage.

Classic case of a GM trying to completely castrate his manager.

[Carlos]

Classic case of a GM trying to completely castrate his manager.

Oh, we're firing him at end of season. I already have the bench coach making decisions and my team has been "better" for it, though his handling of the pen in September is gonna make me lose my rocker. (To be fair, I don't think this can be resolved. The game is simply choosing the best relievers I have and using them instead of the rookie pitchers I'm trying to showcase for next year).

One of those act like a GM in this game things that I do. Is it stupid? Maybe. But I enjoy the GM aspect of it rather than the managing every little aspect of it.

[Dave]

Because I'm gonna continue to harp on bullpen usage.

A theory I have, but haven't exactly studied to prove just yet, is that bullpen usage will vary according to record.

So a team like Virginia is more likely to see their bullpen used as they want than a team like Denver.

Why? Value.

I'll elaborate.

My theory is that the AI Manager will always try to save his best relievers for winnable games.

So, in Denver's case, the top relievers appear in less games because they have less opportunity to actually hold a lead (take for instance Juan Jose Gonzalez appearing in 17 less games than Curt Stewart who is lower on the SU depth chart. Granted Gonzalez was injured for two weeks, but two weeks does not cover 17 appearances. At most it could only cover 14 and no one is appearing in every game for two weeks). Rather, the AI Manager has opted to place the least talented of the relievers into the game believing that the score is already out of reach and it makes more sense to spend that reliever's arm than the more valuable reliever's.

In Virginia's case, because starters are going deeper into games (they are more talented starters) and the offense is keeping games out of reach (more than a team like Denver's can), quality relievers are used more often to hold onto late leads (look at Gray's usage in comparison to every other reliever). This allows a few things:

1. The top reliever on the chart is used more often because he is the top reliever.
2. The top set-up reliever is used more often in late-game situations because he is the top set-up reliever.
3. Both of those relievers throw fewer innings per appearance because they will only throw 0.1-1.0 innings per appearance, allowing them to remain fresher and to be used in more similar situations (see that Gray has appeared in 84 games and thrown 84 innings; Adrian Martinez 63 games and 60 Innings. Compared to Juan Jose Gonzalez appearing in 51 games and throwing 70 innings. And stamina isn't the reason because Martinez is by far the most capable of throwing 10 innings in a game if needed).

In contrast:

Because the lesser team is holding back quality relievers and losing more games, the lower quality arms begin to fatigue hard (see Julian Rodriguez's innings per appearance. He is routinely placed at the bottom of the depth chart, yet is used hard by the AI Manager). This then forces the quality relievers to appear for more innings per game in games that do not require them holding onto a lead (see again Juan Jose Gonzalez or Ole Mens or Ivan Olivo. For Olivo he was a starter but look at his usage history with Virginia as a closer and his usage history as a closer for Denver. The innings per appearance are much higher with Denver). And this test continues as you start looking at other winning teams compared to losing teams.

This usage creates a domino effect that inadvertently destroys the very basic class system of the bullpen depth chart.

TL, DNR.

[Clay]

So... not to over simplify... better Starters dictate Bullpen usage more in line with Manager setup? That makes sense.

[Carlos]

TL, DNR.

Can not understand vernacular.

edit: Figured it out. All it took was assuming it was too long for you to read.

I'll still assume you did. You know you did.

So... not to over simplify... better Starters dictate Bullpen usage more in line with Manager setup? That makes sense.

I think. I don't know for sure. I guess there's a relation because I'm sure having a strong rotation equals more wins. History tells us that.

I just don't know what would happen if a team had a poor rotation but an offense so good it could counteract any pitching deficiencies. Have we had a team be successful with that formula?

[fsquid]

I'm pro alcohol

[Carlos]

I'm pro alcohol

Have you seen my team?

There's no one more professional with a bottle than me. Well, except for maybe Jake.


You know, because his team sucks! (Oh, you thought this was gonna be about him giving away alcohol? M. Knight, bitch).

[Delandis]

Can not understand vernacular.

edit: Figured it out. All it took was assuming it was too long for you to read.

I'll still assume you did. You know you did.



I think. I don't know for sure. I guess there's a relation because I'm sure having a strong rotation equals more wins. History tells us that.

I just don't know what would happen if a team had a poor rotation but an offense so good it could counteract any pitching deficiencies. Have we had a team be successful with that formula?

I think our early '90s teams probably fit this model.

[Carlos]

I think our early '90s teams probably fit this model.

You think?

I don't know. I mean, yeah, you won games, but in 1991 when you had a stupid high 4.53 Team ERA, you missed the playoffs. Sure you won 93 games but you didn't get to the tournament.

Then the next two years you had a much more respectable 4.07 and 3.79 Team ERA and made the playoffs.

Circumstances affected you, I understand. Play in a different division (say Lager, Pilsner, DL in particular, or Bock) and you get in.

Anyway, I checked and your bullpen inning distribution seemed pretty much intact with one exception being that Romano Gonzalez was used constantly despite not being a solid reliever (like at all). You seemed to adjust for that a bit by acquiring DeLacy and Krsnich and they did take the ball a lot in that second half for you. I guess for Gonzalez it was just a priority to get another arm to throw no matter how awful.

To be fair, your Team ERA was mostly high because you had some really crappy bullpen arms after the two mentioned above and Don McKay - your closer.

Only one of your regular starters had an ERA higher than your Team ERA (Tim Nathan).

It's a push for me.

[tomr1962]

[QUOTE=Carlos;170622]Or maybe my team just sucks. That explains everything.


I also believe the game does not give you enough control over your bullpen. My bullpen sucked , but my starters do not pitch enough innings. I am seeing that the 6 starter system is something i need to embrace. I miss the 40 start days of the 60's-70's. Back when pitchers were men not primadonnas.

[nelmsm]

Well a 3-3 sim including taking 2 out of 3 from the Windy City Playboys, who I would think would be a natural rival for Davenport but if not I'm going to act like they are since we won 2 out 3 from them. Sounds like maybe more alcohol is a formula for wining as I'm sure I was tossing down a Sam Adams or some Crown last export. Did I mention we took 2 out of 3 from Windy City? Man, it's hard to find things to brag about when your 26 games out. Well as a real life Cubs fan I know how to say "we'll get them next year"!

[Carlos]

Sounds like maybe more alcohol is a formula for wining as I'm sure I was tossing down a Sam Adams or some Crown last export.

I drink immediately after I import the league file.

[Jistic]

Well a 3-3 sim including taking 2 out of 3 from the Windy City Playboys, who I would think would be a natural rival for Davenport but if not I'm going to act like they are since we won 2 out 3 from them. Sounds like maybe more alcohol is a formula for wining as I'm sure I was tossing down a Sam Adams or some Crown last export. Did I mention we took 2 out of 3 from Windy City? Man, it's hard to find things to brag about when your 26 games out. Well as a real life Cubs fan I know how to say "we'll get them next year"!

Son .... Let me tell ya a story about a man named Riverman...

[spot]

Son .... Let me tell ya a story about a man named Riverman...

[tomr1962]

Son .... Let me tell ya a story about a man named Riverman...

Go one better and tell you a story about a gal named Riversong