Can anybody give me any pointers on how to manage and staff a bullpen? My bullpens are always atrocious.

Link your players in question

Tried, it says my browser won't allow it, and says I have to use a set of keys including a CMDR key???? I'm using Google Chrome.

Which team of yours?

Jersey league Arizona; Hunter...gets the easy saves, but has blown save or lost ties in around 9-11 games. Other relievers just stink...give up runs in nearly every outing.

Jackie Robinson- Milwaukee...why does Lyons perform so poorly...I've tried him in 3 seasons, now...and he gets shelled...others not so great either, except for Frieri.

And, thanks for trying to help me.

Personally I make sure I have two really good Setup A guys (spend money !) and two or three solid if unspectacular ones below them plus a really good long-reliever who can spot start if required. A top closer is nice but if you have a good bullpen overall you can operate a "closer by committee" system.

I always build around a good rotation with guys who can eat innings so I don't need to use the BP too much but I want to know I can rely on it if push comes to shove.

People still use closers?

Having a closer is such a waste. Your best bullpen pitcher should be SuA. Only way I will have a closer is if he can only throw 30 innings a year.

Posted by hockey1984 on 1/7/2019 11:01:00 AM (view original):
Having a closer is such a waste. Your best bullpen pitcher should be SuA. Only way I will have a closer is if he can only throw 30 innings a year.

I only use a closer when I have a pitcher who has low DUR/Stamina-- Max PC 15 or less-- and who is clearly my best relief pitcher. I'm trying to avoid having such a guy come into the game with a 3-4 run lead. I allow him to enter in the 8th, and so he often does not lead my team in saves because he can't finish the game, but he pitches to 4 or so high leverage batters in most games that I'm leading late.

I suppose I could get a similar result with SuA, enter in 8th inning or later settings. He'd get to pitch when we were down one with those settings, but he'd also pitch at times when we're up several.

I set my bullpen to all be SA and if I need an inning eater or run out of money use a mopup guy. I routinely use tandem as starters. I have never once used a closer even with guys who can only pitch 10 pitches an outing. I do not use the settings on when they can enter the game.

I figured id eff it up if i set it up so i just role with basics

I probably overthink here because I use a closer on both my teams, and they're my third best RPs, The save situation is one I classify as low leverage, Ninth inning, three outs, starting with no one on base. Frankly, any schmuck can do it, once you get rid of the real life mythology of balls and charisma.
On one team my closer is an RP with the third best splits who can't throw a lot of innings. On the other team he's a lefty with a great first pitch and a poor second pitch. I set them for ninth inning, save situation only. The better RPs get the 7th and 8th innings, but the low leverage spot goes to the closer. Probably overthinking it, but this way I save the better guys for more 7th and 8th innings by not overusing them in the 9th. (I'm also one of these guys who bats the pitcher 8th and my best hitter in the 2 hole.) And in the case my closers come up against the other team's best hitters, well, I'm taking my chances with them anyway

Interesting. I bat the pitcher 8th as well. I honestly set up the pen to all Sua the pitch count and pull where I want and let it ride. There is probally not a "right" way its interesting to hear the other ways.

While there may not be a "right" way, it seems we agree it's a waste to have a stud RP dedicated only to Closer.