As St. Louis Cardinals fans know, high leverage pitching situations can happen anywhere, in any inning of the game. They should be serviced by the best available live arm. The best available live arm should be evaluated based on a host of factors.
Charts and matchups, yes. But pennant-race and play-off situations are “all hands on deck” and so the evaluation should include a quick determination of whose arm looks live in bullpen warm-ups. “Who seems most ready, mentally and physically?” That is the question.
It should also involve a quick-hook by the manager if a pitcher seems to be going south in live-action.