Just saw something I didn't realize about the new "3 batter minimum" relief pitching rule. from the rule book: In an effort to reduce the number of pitching changes and, in turn, cut down the average time per game, MLB instituted a rule change that requires pitchers to either face a minimum of three batters in an appearance or pitch to the end of a half-inning, with exceptions for injuries and illnesses. If a pitcher faces one batter to end an inning, he may be removed, but if he is brought back for a second inning, he must still face two more batters for a total of three. So, if a reliever pitches to one batter to end an inning, and starts the next inning, if he gets out the first batter and then the mgr wants to use a lefty/lefty matchup, he can't. The reliever must pitch to that second batter in the inning. Didn't know that. Later