I am not sure how smart Sparky is so I'm not sure if this will work. I am thinking it won't.

I've got Robb Nen as my best reliever... his '98 season, 89ip with a 1.51erc# and 1.14ip/g

I can probably set his PC at 20-25, and if he averages about 22 pitches a game he can pitch in about 70 games.

So... he'll never use 89ip as a closer, and probably won't even use it if I uncheck the "only use closer in save situations" box

I'd like to set him to be available in the 8th inning, but I'd only want Sparky to bring him in with 1 or 2 outs if there's trouble. What I DON'T want is Sparky using him to start the 8th, having him hit his MPC with 1 out in the 9th and then pulling him for someone crappy. 

Has anyone ever done anything like this with any success? (It's a progressive league, so "don't use Nen" isn't really an option)

I do this a lot. Having him available in the 8th and uncheck the save situation box is your best bet. I found sparky won't bring him out in the 8th until your previous reliever has hit his pitch count or let some runners get on, but will bring him in to start the 9th no matter what. If he does get pulled in the 9th, so be it. You're still get his max pitches in a high leverage spot. After that just hope you have another decent set-up A (or closer B) that'll be brought in to get the last out or two.

He probably still won't top out with IP though, so I wouldn't hesitate to stick him in as a set-up fairly often when the rest of your pen is tired.

As you know, it won't work entirely like you want it to.  Nen will sometimes start the eighth.  You may also need to uncheck Nen's PH and PR boxes on the hitter advanced settings so that he doesn't get yanked for a pinch hitter/runner between the eighth and ninth.  That may occasionally lead to a nonsensical Nen at bat if he blows the lead in the eighth.

thanks guys. if i'm in a league where i have more flexibility, usually i'll try to burn off 60 of the guy's innings in the first half and then switch him to closer, but i don't know if i will have another good option at closer in a progressive.

good question, I want to try this in my open league as well.  When my bad setup guys are available for the 8th I have them on a high pull # but not sure if that will be enough to bring in the closer in the 8th.

Posted by minnow on 9/16/2011 1:15:00 PM (view original):
I do this a lot. Having him available in the 8th and uncheck the save situation box is your best bet. I found sparky won't bring him out in the 8th until your previous reliever has hit his pitch count or let some runners get on, but will bring him in to start the 9th no matter what. If he does get pulled in the 9th, so be it. You're still get his max pitches in a high leverage spot. After that just hope you have another decent set-up A (or closer B) that'll be brought in to get the last out or two.

He probably still won't top out with IP though, so I wouldn't hesitate to stick him in as a set-up fairly often when the rest of your pen is tired.

I agree with minnow.  I would probably designate him setup A and roll the dice that way, though.  You won't get the exact use you want out of him but it it will maximize his innings.

I regularly do something like this. I rest the pitchers I don't want in the game. If the pitchers I designate pitch well, & the game doesn't go into extras, it works well. It is a bit of a tightrope walk, but we all have a good sense of balance...right?

I don't worry too much about Saves. if he pitches the 8th and half the 9th he's still doing his job. he's not credited with the save but the only one who cares is his agent because you're not padding his stats.
I agree Setup is probably better he'll get more appearances.

my biggest problem with 8th inning closers is pinch hitting. if his bat comes up between innings you either pull him early or give up a good PH opportunity.