dannyjoe, I do not agree with your conclusion that the statement "In summary, Sparky will manage according to your instructions EXACTLY as you have provided them to him" is inaccurate. However, I do agree that the closer label needs some clarification. The closer label means "only use this pitcher in high leverage situations," as the customer support instructions clarify.

So unchecking the "use closer in save situations only" box does NOT mean "consider the closer to be available in any situation." Instead, unchecking that box means "use the closer in a close game in the late innings even if it's not technically a save situation."

I have tried to clarify this point in the information on page 1.

Thanks contrarian, your clarification on page 1 looks accurate.

Concerning Sparky's decision to remove a pitcher based on performance (before reaching a pitch count), my anecdotal experience is that earned runs seem to be an important factor. If a lot of runs score after there are two outs in an inning that was extended by an error, the pitcher is more likely to survive than if the same number of runs were scored without an error. A pitcher with Call Bullpen = 3 might give up 8 runs in a such a game, if few of them are earned runs, but would not be allowed to stay in a game long enough to give up 8 earned runs. I don't have any box scores handy to back that up, it is just the impression I've developed.

I've been on this site for a long time but am considering using an approach I've never used before due to the limitations of a league I'm joining.
In short I have great starting pitching and more than enough of it and for all purposes no quality relievers.
If I set all my starters to be available for relief and my other pitchers to mopup will Sparky pick one of my starters in all but mopup situations or will he always pick one of the mopups first. Trying to understand whether I will have to pick one of those starters as my "reliever" or can I share that role across all of them

Yeah that will work like you want it to. The mop ups won’t come in unless it’s a blowout. Just make sure you set the inning available for the starters to early in the game.

Also, to determine which starter to use in relief, the sim will first use the starter whos furthest away from his scheduled start. So you can determine the exact order of who comes in when.

Thank you. Thats the way I'm going to go. 4 strong 300IP starters 1 mediocre long reliever and the rest mop ups.
Should be fascinating to watch.

The sim will always put the long reliever in rather than one of the starters checked for use in relief so be careful with that.

good luck!

Does anyone have an idea as to creating a League in the 80 -- 90 -- 100 Million Range using these Ideas ...
I have saved a post by grizzly that I thought was fascinating and brilliant out of the box thinking although have not really applied it to anything yet I am in ... Am very busy ...

https://www.whatifsports.com/forums/Posts.aspx?topicID=525659&threadID=12558238#l_12558238

"How To Optimize for Saves Topic" --- (Including the Long Save and a 149ip kershaw type)

"I would put Walsh to Closer A and 6th inning (None/None-1 pull.) Save only clicked.

I would put other decent pitchers to Closer B 5th inning (4 pull). Save only. An A will always come in first for a save. If all you have are closer's B will come in first in a non save situation.

All other pitchers set to MOP 5th inning and click losing only option (3 Pull). They will only pitch if losing.

Your team needs to be built to win but pitching heavy yes. Pitchers park too.

Starters set to 70/75 1. Very few CG if any at that count.

Last point, that Walsh should not be the choice. 150+ (Do more if uncomfortable, low OAV#, low HR#, 6 IP/G.

If I were to try this I'd look seriously at Elton "Ice Box" Chamberlain at 135 IP (Possibly not enough.)"