Your right..even the best relievers give up 3 hits in a row. but last year I kind of half heartedly watched the clutch rating. It did not seem to have any effect regardless of if a pitcher had a 9 rating or not. This year I'm going to watch it closely. So far it doesn't seem to be a factor. I just think why have it as a rating if we are not sure, or up for debate on how it works as you said. It can be confusing for new managers. Maybe someone else can add their two cents and say it works for them.