Well... assuming 200 IP per starting pitcher -- which is probably a bit high for some pitchers -- and 60 IP per reliever, 6 starting pitchers + 5 relievers = 1500 total IP, safely below the limit. On the other hand, it's always been my reasoning with pitchers that you don't want to get out too far ahead, because you'll be able to play safer later in the season, when you have some idea how pitchers are doing. At the same time, I don't think there's any harm in closing out your IP allowance a week or two early... better than closing it a week late, if you catch my drift. Provided you're not pitching mediocre guys to drive up your total IP, of course.
Mostly, I'd just pitch guys when you think they can get you good numbers, and sit them when you don't.
I'd probably run a couple extra relievers over an extra starter, if you can get a couple solid relievers... it's not unusual for a good reliever to get his 60 innings at a sub-3.50 ERA, whereas if you had a starter who could say the same, he would've been picked up fairly early. Plus, you know,
holds. Who understands those things? I confess to a slight degree of confusion on how to acquire the pitchers who will acquire the holds, but more relievers = more holds. I have figured out this much.
As far as the question of your strikeouts, how many strikeouts per nine innings have you got? That's going to be your question -- if you've got 80 strikeouts in 120 innings, yeah, that's not so impressive. But if you've got 80 strikeouts in 80 innings, who cares if everyone else has only pitched 60 innings so far? You keep up that pace, and you're going to win strikeouts, it's as simple as that.
Subject: Hi Everyone! 
Sat Apr 11, 2009 5:55 pm
