Why is there specific inning roles assigned to relievers? For instance, jimy will only use lidge or dotel (not to mention wagner) in specific inning. usually it goes lidge in the 6,7 8 or dotel in the 7th , or 8th and wagner only in a save situation in the ninth. But sometimes, the most important time of the game happens in another inning. Take yesterday's game for example. in the bottom of the fifth there are two on, with no outs and the 3-4-5 hitters from the cubs coming up, with the astros protecting a 1 run lead against a team that is chasing them in the standings. i can't imagine a more important 3 outs happening in the game than at that time, so why not use your best available pitcher, in the most crucial point in the game? especially when you have 3 outstanding relievers who are all rested. IMo, a save one of the most overrated and unimportant stats in baseball, if you have one great reliever, why wait to use him to start the ninth w/ a three run lead, when you could use him in a more crucial spot
With respect to closers, managers like to keep them in their expected roles, BUT in the case of teams like the Astros who have essentially 3 closers, your question has merit. There is no reason Dotel or Lidge should not pitch in a tight spot earlier than the 6th inning. If there is one, I'd like to hear it from Williams. Had Miceli gotten out of the 5th, chances are Lidge and Dotel would have pitched the 6th-8th anyway. Also if the manager has confidence that Miceli can get out of a 2 on, 0 out situation with Sosa and Alou coming up, he should have confidence in Miceli starting the 6th or 7th if he doesn't want to use Lidge or Dotel for 2 innings. Let Lidge get out of the jam. Let Miceli start the 6th or 7th and have Dotel ready to come in. Many managers manage 'by the book'. It leaves them blameless for the most part. For instance, if the Astros are ahead by one inthe 9th, Wagner will inevitably come in unless there are extenuating circumstances. If he blows the save, then the manager is unscathed because he made the move all managers with capable closers would make. On the other hand, if he doesn't bring in Wagner and they lose the game, he will be forever asked, why didn't he bring in Wagner.
