I just started playing WIS (OL $80) and I am learning a lot and taking my knocks, as expected. I've experienced what it means to have a fatigued bullpen (it's like watching a pinball machine !).

I really appreciate all the posts and especially the advice to newbies/rookies such as myself --thanks!

I understand the concept of selecting a ballpark and drafting according to the characteristics of the park, but here's my question: If you pick a ballpark that supresses HRs (-1, -2, etc), is it better to invest in pitchers with really low HR/9#, or can you get away with pitchers who have moderate HR/9# nos. knowing that the park will help them out some? I realize this will only apply to half your games, but what's the conventional wisdom out there on this?

There are very few absolute right answers in this game. One way to think about it is that there are three ways to reduce your opponent's offense. One way is through your pitching staff; one way is through your defense (fielders with A+ range will take away hits); and one way is through your ballpark.

You need to decide how you are you going to use these 3 strategies to your advantage.

Personally, if I am picking a park that is -2 for HR, I am probably willing to select pitchers who allow a few more homers, and instead I'll put my pitching budget toward stopping other parts of my opponent's offense - such as reducing walks, or reducing base hits. There's certainly nothing wrong with selecting pitchers who allow few homers in that case, but to a certain extent you're not getting full value for your $. Part of what you are paying for with those pitchers is the ability to reduce homers - but your park is already taking care of that to at least some degree.

In contrast, if you are playing in a +2 HR park, then you really want pitchers who will allow very few homers. Otherwise they'll be lit up like a pinball machine.

contrarian23 - Thanks so much for the comments. You've confirmed what my intuition was telling me.

It's always a good idea to have low HR pitchers. if you select a ballpark that suppresses HR then it's not quite as urgent but still important. in other words you can get away with a few somewhat low HR pitchers instead of all very low HR pitchers.

Even in parks that supress home runs like the Astrodome or Petco, you probably want to steer clear of pitchers that have a HR/9# > 0.70 or so. In more neutral stadiums, I think people set the limit at 0.30 to 0.50. In+HR parks, I think most draft pitchers with HR/9# < 0.30.

Quote: Originally Posted By zubinsum on 6/07/2010Even in parks that supress home runs like the Astrodome or Petco, you probably want to steer clear of pitchers that have a HR/9# > 0.70 or so. In more neutral stadiums, I think people set the limit at 0.30 to 0.50. In+HR parks, I think most draft pitchers with HR/9# < 0.30.

That's about right, you need to use the HR/9#...