Does anyone else think we should be able to pick our starting pitcher before any game.  We can use our relievers in any fashion, why not the starters?  There are times, especially at the end of a season or the playoffs where I'd go with a 94%-97% starter who's pitching well vs. a 100% guy who isn't. The way it stands now obviously the "ball" goes to the next guy in rotation. I for one would like the option of giving the "ball" to whoever I want.  The one proviso would be the same guy couldn't start 2 games in a row. Anyone like or hate this idea? If so pontificate please.

I believe the rationale is that not everyone who plays on this site micromanages their teams; some only check in once a day, for example.  Not knowing what the next pitcher is (lefty/righty) would be a competitive disadvantage for them.

I agree with you, though, that I would like to see some more flexibility as seasons wind down.  There are plenty of times in close races where I'd have Pitcher A go if I need the win, Pitcher B if my playoff position was determined in the current game.  Or in the playoffs, if you're tied 2-2 I'd like the ability to have one pitcher go if I lose the game, another if I win.

Since you can program your right/left lineup from the managers window, I don't see a disadvantage for those who do not micro-manage. There is no question that as the season goes on in real life there are spot changes in starters. I think we should also have that flexibility, would certainly be more realistic.  Could we have more feedback, I would like to propose this for the next update.  Let's say "starter flexibility" begins after the all-star break, anyone care to vote?

Any reasons why not booger?

A last minute change of starters holds no advantage. If people have a left/right lineup the SIM will automatically use the appropriate one, unless you think there is a psychological advantage which obviously doesn't apply here.  When it starts moving down to the end of the season or the playoffs many managers make a starter change the night before whether to keep someone fresh or if he's badly in need of a win.  I still haven't heard a real good reason why we should not be able to do this also. I would really like to hear from some of the old-timers here.....

people set their lineup based on the opposing pitcher and it's not fair to them if you change the pitcher at the last minute. changing from a 200k pitcher to a stud, or vice versa, would make a big difference in the lineup some would play against you. L/R isnt the only matchup, you could change from a low HR pitcher to a higher one, or change from a high walk low avg pitcher to the opposite, etc. all of this messes up an oponnent who uses any platoons or likes to choose the right time to rest a starter.

OK rbow93, excellent points, none of which I had thought of, thanks for the input.  We all know that come play-off time our studs sometimes become mules and visa versa, was looking (hoping) for a way to deal with it. You're right though rbow, too much room for abuse....so that's that.

Thanks to booger for his insights....

I like it the way it is now. If, for example, I see you are locked into starting Pettibone, then I am going to let SOME of my starters get some rest. It does not seem fair that you can change up to a '95 Maddux at the last minute and catch me at a disadvantage.

I know there are ways around this, and I have employed them in the past, where you show Pettibone starting, but you set him to Tandom A with a pull setting of 5 followed by the ,95 maddux

For most of the season I agree; allowing a last-second pitching change can wreak havoc.  But what about this situation:

Two games left in the season and your magic number is one.  You have a tired ace who you'd like to save for the playoffs, but if you lose the current game you'd use him in the must-win final game.  If you win the current game, you'd start a scrub in the season finale.  Variations of this happen all the time, both in the Sim and in RL  Unfortunately, you don't have that option, although you do with your position players.

The above two comments explain the dilemma. There are times when you must make critical decisions with your starters, perhaps confining this option to the Playoffs is the answer. Although I like grizzly's suggestion of perhaps throwing the last 5-10 games of the season in, and we must insist the same starter cannot pitch two games in a row.  Since we've narrowed it down, should we lobby for this "starter flexibility" change? I think it would add a ton of realism.