1.41 Game AI
Posted: Thu Dec 07, 2006 7:45 am
Computer down 4-2 bottom of 8. Has 2 ph on the bench hitters 7,8 & 9 (pitcher) due up. Computer pinch hits for 7 & 8 hitter so pitcher has to bat.
That's been in the game for a long while - I'd really like to see the AI 'reserve' its last two pinch-hitters as 'PH for pitcher only' when playing without the DH. It always feels a bit 'off' to get into an extra-inning duel where I have pinch-hitters and the AI does not.
It might also need an 'exception' which allows it to put in a starter in an extra-inning duel, as its not uncommon to see a situation something like:
Starter goes 5
Reliever-1 goes 2
Reliever-2 goes 1
Reliever-3 goes 2
Reliever-4 goes 1
Closer goes 9 and 2/3.
I'd rather see
a) the closer get used earlier - probably for a two-inning stint as innings 10 and 11, regardless of the home/away nature
b) low/untrustworthy relievers used after the closer
c) a starter pulled from the rotation to pitch if the game goes long enough, say, when the current pitcher is utterly fatigued -- especially when going into an off day!
It feels like those titanic extra-inning battles are spots where I have a big advantage over the computer manager, because I'm willing to use the relievers and starters as described.