In the pre-game of Play-by-Play mode, each team also has a Team Lineup and Starting Pitcher screen where last-minute adjustments can be made.

The top half of this screen contains the team roster. Below that is the lineup. The starting pitcher is listed in the lower right part of the screen, together with an "in-progress" box score. The Lineup and Starting Pitcher screens for the home and away team are identical, except that you can only adjust your opponent's lineup if you are the commissioner.

How are the Lineups and Starting Pitchers determined?

When you arrive at this screen, both teams already have lineups and a starting pitcher "penciled in." Your team's initial lineup will be determined by the computer based on the setup you performed in the Lineups and Depth Charts screen prior to starting this game. For example, if you are facing a right-handed pitcher, and there is no designated hitter, by default the lineup for this game should match your lineup for "vs RHP." However, the computer will also make substitutions where necessary. For example, if your star shortstop has played 150 straight games and is exhausted, the AI may place your reserve infielder in the starting lineup instead. But never fear, you can still change this if you want to work him to death! Just think of this screen as representing a "draft" of the lineup that your bench coach has provided for you to approve.

Adjusting the Lineups and Starting Pitchers

In fact, this screen behaves almost identically to the Lineups and Depth Charts page. Drag players into the lineup to make any necessary changes. Players who are currently in the lineup are listed with green text. Change starting pitchers by dragging a new pitcher over the existing pitcher in the Starting Pitcher box on the right. Note that any changes you make here are for this game only!

You can take advantage of OOTP's views and filters and common drop-downs here, and you can also view Player Profiles by clicking on any player's name. However, in this case, each Player Profile screen has a new button at the bottom called Return to Game. Click this button to return to the Team Lineup and Starting Pitcher screen.

Finalizing the Lineups and Starting Pitchers

Once you have made any necessary adjustments to your lineup or game options, click on the Start Game button in the bottom right to begin play. This will take you directly to the BNN Broadcast screen.

Note: Once you click on Start Game, you have submitted your lineup to the umpires. After that point, any changes to your lineups or pitchers are considered in-game substitutions!