Pinch Hitters - When to make Substitutions

[ultimate7]

OK, I guess this is mostly for curve pitch players, but I'm wondering when people make substitutions.  Do you always save at least one guy on the bench so the pitcher doesn't bat in the 9th?

For me, we usually play curve/ 1 Starter so often I won't use any PHs until the 2nd or 3rd time thru the lineup.  There are exceptions (Barrett, Owen, Herndon, Santana, etc.).  But a lot of times a like to save PH for crucial situations, plus in latter innings pitcher is more likely to be tired meaning more fat pitches.

[JoeDirt]

I play curve/1 SP, too and I like to save at least one of the lesser PH for the pitcher spot or a one of the weaker spots in the line up...but I won't keep a prime time player out of the line up just to save him for one AB late in the game (ex. Armas, Henderson, Jones, Hendrick, etc).

[fknmclane]

I play curve/1 SP, too and I like to save at least one of the lesser PH for the pitcher spot or a one of the weaker spots in the line up...but I won't keep a prime time player out of the line up just to save him for one AB late in the game (ex. Armas, Henderson, Jones, Hendrick, etc).

Joe is absolutely right.  If the guy is the real deal and you're only hurting your chances by keeping him out, the PH is inserted immediately.  But I usually try and keep at least one guy on the bench for some late inning fireworks.

Chubbs always leaves Morris of the Cardinals for last and the guy always kills me.  In fact, I hope he dies.

[JoeDirt]

Chubbs always leaves Morris of the Cardinals for last and the guy always kills me.  In fact, I hope he dies.

Chubbs or Morris?  Maybe both, just to be safe?

[fknmclane]

After the beatings I received from Chubbs last week, probably both.

[chubbrock]

I know it came up in a previous post, but you tend to have more success w/ a pinch hitter in clutch situations.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

[fknmclane]

I know it came up in a previous post, but you tend to have more success w/ a pinch hitter in clutch situations.  Correct me if I'm wrong.

Apparently, pinch hitters get a power boost for their first at-bat.  I'm sure one of our computer-versed colleagues can elaborate on this point.

[ultimate7]

From what others have posted and data I've seen, PH gets a 64 power bonus on their 1st AB.  Power Totals Range from about 700-950 so that's a 7-10% increase in Power.

[chubbrock]

"Double it, and cut it in half"

[Flood]

there's no way I'm leaving guys like Burks, Rupperto, and ARMAS on the bench...they gotta come in early in the game.

[chubbrock]

Absolutely.  It's guys like Sullivan, and Morris that pay off for me.  Guys that normally wouldn't do shit.

[Baines]

With me it all depends on the team.  Also we play straight pitch/ all pitchers so my strategy may differ a little bit.

I always try to leave at least one PH available for clutch situations but I won't leave a below average hitter in the lineup just to do it.  Basically, I either bring my PH in for the 1st AB or save them for the pitcher if they're not better than someone in the lineup.  

The only time I sub for a position player in the middle of the game is with Boston.  Burks always hits #1, Armas always #8 but I save Hendu to see who pisses me off the most out of Boggs, Buckner and Gedman.

[chubbrock]

The only time I sub for a position player in the middle of the game is with Boston.  Burks always hits #1, Armas always #8 but I save Hendu to see who pisses me off the most out of Boggs, Buckner and Gedman.

Huh.  I normally have success with the Bogger.  Burks #1, Hendu #2, Armas #8.  Sullivan comes in clutch for me.

[Flood]

Burks - 1
Hendu - 2
Armas - 8
Sullivan - P

[chubbrock]

Huh.  I normally have success with the Bogger.  Burks #1, Hendu #2, Armas #8.  Sullivan comes in clutch for me.

Ask Mclane....
NOOOCH!!!

[Baines]

Huh.  I normally have success with the Bogger.  Burks #1, Hendu #2, Armas #8.  Sullivan comes in clutch for me.

I do have to say that Buckner is usually the one who ends up on the bench but I always give them an AB or 2 because it seems like the other two occasionally have games where they just don't get it done.

[fknmclane]

Chubbs has some altar devoted to Sullivan (Red Sox) and Morris (Cardinals.)  He's fucking automatic with those bastards.  Every time, any situation, he goes yard.  It's absolutely uncanny.  Unfortunately for him, its usually does no good, as I'm already up by a half dozen.  Except for the last time.  And the time before that.  Oh yeah, the time before that too.  Shit!  I hate Sullivan!!!  And I hate Morris even more!!!

[chubbrock]

Not as much as I hate T.Pena.

[Gantry]

You can't go wrong with Blank Morris, though I prefer he gets in right away at the #3 spot.  Jose Oquendo is a complete bastard against me, always gets the clutch dinger...

I personally don't keep anyone in for an AB or two, either in right away or subbing for a pitcher.  Lipitz uses the very effective technique of keeping Chet Lemon in until there is a runner on first.  Then he goes with Bergman who hits a dinger at about a 75% clip....

[MarquisEXB]

I play curve ball 3 pitchers only (can't ph for the last pitcher).

Put in the best guy (sometimes 2 best guys - Burks & Armas) for the weakest. Save the 3 guys for pitchers, or clutch situations for weak hitters. I almost always save the LH hitter for a situation where a runner is on first. Sometimes I'll PH a bad guy for a decent hitter, since I feel confident hitting with a bad ph.

Been on a bad streak lately. Got swept in my 70s rom (Reds beat my Yanks,) and just lost another series with Baltimore. I'm down now 3-1 in the knockout rom. I'm convinced that the Reds are unbeatable. :-(

Oh and if someone thinks they can win with pitching, try that rom with the Mets. God are Seaver & Koos unbelievable. I had a tough time beating them.