First, I've played about 10,000 games over many different years. As long as I have the following set properly, relievers just aren't used as starters.


Go to "Set Default Manager Options"

Set your team as follows:

5 starters, all set to rotation
A couple short relievers, 2-3 middle relievers, and 1-2 long relievers(you can also have a closer if you want). 10-12 men on the pitching staff.

You must also make sure everyone has a set responsibility. As well as not being tired.

Remember that if you brought up a guy from the minors before the 5 games series, he won't have a manager option set to him.

All it takes is one tired guy that can't pitch when he should have, or one guy without a manager option. Things go major screwy if you aren't careful.