That is the rule but it is definitely not followed by the computer. An unmanaged team basically won the RT2 2000 playoffs last year because the starter (not a reliever masquerading as a starter) kept on getting pulled after three innings and Lowe would come in (he must have been set as a reliever) and shut the game down. The plyoff rest periods and Lowe's BFA and recovery numbers allowed this to happen repeatedly -- at least 5 times btw the championship and world series with a win every time for the unmanaged team. I don't think a managed team can take advantage of this bug though.