Another thing I want to point out: The in-game managing situations is where the clean and theoretical will become problematic. Sure sometimes stacking will work well, or at least not interfere, but not always, and mybe not even a majority of the time. Let’s say the first “stack” pitcher has made it through four shutout innings and no one can touch him. Do you leave him in for another inning? Or what if the second pitcher guy comes in and immediately shows he has nothing that day. Does Baldelli* still commit to the second guy for three innings? At that point it’s a matter of consulting with your coaches and going to the bullpen and just making pitching changes like any other manager has done for the last 30-40 years. So nothing unusual or surprising is really happening on the field, except that the front office has spent time, hours, and made personnel decisions introducing a new concept and expecting to change the game, except that the game didn’t change and a gut call still needs to be made. I just don’t see the advantage. * Edit: that's assuming the manager still makes all the in game decisions. Maybe front offices are directing more of the in game substitutions nowadays, don't know