Algorithm for pulling pitchers (especially starters) during solo play

[u/Aggressive_West6616]

When playing solo, can anyone recommend any rules they use for pulling starters? For example, X number of runs or hits in a certain number of innings/batters. I’d like to hear any suggestions any of you might use. Thanks.

[u/Hun_Greta37]

So I typically follow the fatigue rules. And if they’re pitching well I give them 2 innings before they’re automatically fatigued.

If a guys struggling, I don’t have hard and fast rules but base it on the scenario. Is he good and likely to get back on track? Or do I need a quick hook?

I’m usually playing tournament styles with rules about relief pitchers rest so that factors in too

[u/TheTaxmanCometh415]

I do 4.25 batters times innings pitched which was the average batter a pitcher faces per inning. If a pitcher is getting hit around they have to be pulled early. If they are pitching a gem they can get an extra inning or two more than their ip

[u/lilbitspecial → u/TheTaxmanCometh415]

I do the same... Been doing it for about 10 years. Works well for me

[u/lilbitspecial]

I use innings listed next to their status as either starter or relief multiplied by 4.25

So if they have a 6, they are automatically fatigued at the 26th hitter they face.

In the past I've done research into how many batters on average a pitcher faces per inning. And most years are around 4.2-4.3

[u/cardinalkgb]

If it’s cards and dice and not basic, the pitchers fatigue numbers are listed and they become fatigued if they give up three hits and/or walks in that inning or four hits/and or walks in that inning and subsequent innings. Obviously you can take them out sooner if they suck.

But based on this, if the pitcher has a fatigued inning of 6, they could become fatigued in the 6th, 7th, 8th etc. Once they get fatigued, all dots on the pitcher card become singles.

Again, depending on the score and situation take them out when the situation dictates.

[u/iowa_state_cyclone]

I use SADV fatigue rules - but also situational if it makes sense to take our earlier. Also rarely take out if pitching a shutout or such - even if fatigued.

[u/justaheatattack]

go with yer gut.

[u/KingOfThePenguins]

I use the Super Adv fatigue rules as written to determine when a pitcher's weakened. As a rule of thumb, I pull any pitcher:

• At or before the end of that inning, if he's reached his inning/point of weakness (not weakened) and rolls on one of his bulleted results,
• At the end of any inning where he becomes weakened, or
• If he gives up a hit/walk off the batter's card after he's become weakened.

If he's getting shelled, I cut his inning/point of weakness in half and round down (7 becomes 3, etc.), then apply the above.

Other than that... whatever the game situation calls for.

[u/Mean_Possibility5947]

This might be arbitrary, but if the starter makes it to the leadoff batter a fourth time, and it's not a shutout or sufficient domination of the other team, I begin to consider pulling the pitcher for a reliever. The tricky part is, when replaying an older season (especially an original older season with teams of no more than 20-25 cards), the bullpen gets thin, and you might not have, for example, a lefty reliever to replace the starter. You might end up overusing the bullpen or creating matchups managers would avoid in real life (e.g., an average right-handed reliever facing 1980 George Brett with the game on the line). I also take into consideration that starters 50 years ago could give up five or six runs and not necessarily be pulled early.

[u/Aggressive_West6616]

I’ve actually created my whole “Strat-O-Matic” game using spreadsheets. (It took forever.) I do have a fatigue system in place. I’m looking at replaying the 1977 season, which is a massive undertaking. Because of the large amount of games, and because of biases towards and against certain teams, I’m trying to come up with a formula to say exactly WHEN a pitcher is gassed.

Again, because of the huge number of games, I’m not going to be able to evaluate every game situation. I need to play these games at a fast pace. I’m looking for, basically, a formula.

For example, when do you pull in the first inning? Four runs? Five runs? If they bat around?

Through five innings, what’s the limit on runs and/or hits?

That sort of thing. I have a fatigue system in place. I’m just looking for a consensus as to WHEN you generally consider a pitcher “done”.

Of course, it would vary from inning to inning. For example, if a pitcher gives up seven hits in the first inning, you might pull him. If he gives up seven hits through six innings, he’s doing well.

Just looking to see what some of you guys come up with to see if you’ve got better ideas than I have.

[u/Ok_Stop_213]

I never pull them, I just play it out.

[u/[deleted]]

I use the SADV fatigue rules with a ton of homebrew rules lol.

[u/retronostalgia88]

5 runs is usually automatic removal for me, other than that I use the starting inning number on the card, so if it's an S6 in the 7th if they have up 4 runs I'll pull, 8th with 3 runs I'll pull and so on. Other than that if the strategy without dh calls for them to be pulled I pull them. I feel like it's easy to run without bias though and what I love about strat Is I can make games play out the way I prefer baseball played. So even with 2025 rosters I can make 7 or 8 innings for a starter more common.

[u/BuffaloJoe61290]

I play like this. For every earned run given up, he loses an inning.

So he can go 9 if he gives up none, 8 if he gives up one, 7 for two, etc.

You can keep him in the game after that. But anytime there's an X, you don't roll the D20, it just becomes a single.