This exclusive content, questions asked by readers and answered by Hal McCoy himself, is usually reserved for subscribers of our Reds Insider Newsletter. The newsletter includes the Reds Connection questions plus the latest news and updates on your Cincinnati Reds.

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The following questions are the ones Hal answered this week:

Q: As do you, I hate the designated hitter, but one of the reasons for it is so a manager doesn’t have to pull a pitcher who is doing well for a pinch-hitter in a close game. I know there are fewer and fewer complete games due to specialization. Are there more complete games in the American League than the National League due to the DH? — Tom, Dayton
A: Actually, the DH was implemented to get more offense into the game, using a DH to hit the whole game instead of a pitcher. As for complete games, they are rare in either league — 64 in the AL and 56 in the NL. All the DH does is make American League managers lazy when it comes to strategy.

Q: When a team makes a double switch, the incoming player goes into the batting spot of the outgoing player, meaning an incoming pitcher goes into the spot of the outgoing position player. Why don’t they just let the incoming player go into the same position occupied by the outgoing player? — Bob, Springboro
A: Because positions have nothing to do with batting orders. A batting order is an entity unto itself and a manager can stick any player anywhere he wants in the order. Next you’ll want me to explain the infield fly rule, right?

Q: I try not to be a Dusty Baker basher, but why with an 11 ½ game lead do we still see Johnny Cueto and Homer Bailey throwing 110 to 120 pitches and staying in games seven and eight innings when the playoffs are approaching? — Wilmonger, Independence, Ky.
A: Once the division is clinched (very soon) you will see Baker start to cut down innings and pitches on the starters. You can’t just shut them down and wait for the playoffs. They need to stay sharp and pitching is the only way to stay sharp. Some pitchers thrive on work, do better with a lot of work. See Bronson Arroyo.