[mrbill]

Saying the DH is the issue is probably one step away from the true problem.

From what it sounds like, the AI likes to work through MR-SU-CL or just pick the best reliever available regardless of the game situation.

So, no DH means quicker and more often pitcher substitutions, moving through relievers quicker, and getting to the closer in the 9th inning.

Any settings (DH, better SP endurance, or less reliever usage) that would decrease pitching changes means that the AI less often gets to the point where it calls in the closer, so if you're willing to change your league settings (or maybe even team strategies to switch relievers often), you can probably inflate closer usage.

Of course, its not a true fix, it just burns up relievers more so the closer is more often the best reliever left in the 9th.