what's the pitch count? What's the recent workload? all those play in. But again, I agree with you but I think it's more complicated than 'just use them'. These guys are preparing for one inning for the most part, and aren't accustomed to the feel of their arm and the amount of warm up required to sit for 10-20 minutes and then get back up and pitch on only 8 warm up throws. Leaving aside the pinch hitting wrinkle, I would agree that they should use Ramon Ramirez for multiple innings one day and then Bobby Parnell the next. I think the box managers put themselves in is when you get Bobby up in the 7th and he struggles that day. You'd want to go to Ramon in that situation but probably can't if you had him throw 45 pitches the day before over 2.1. Now you have to use your third or fourth best guy. It does make sense to me. Use Ramon for 2.1 and worry about tomorrow tomorrow. Maybe Gee throws a CG or 8 dominant innings. maybe you score 30. But one of the biggest things managers get criticized for is bullpen use, so they naturally retreat to these defined roles and narrow usage schemas. I do think there is some value to 'defined' roles though, but that's in a preparation way like if Francisco was randomly summoned in the 5th inning of a game. He's mentally set for the 9th, meaning he may still be playing cards in the clubhouse and not having gone through stretches and warmups and the things he'd probably do in the 7th and 8th as he prepares. But if you tell him 'hey, we may use you first if a starter doesn't go long' he'll make sure he's loose before that.