It does time the launches for short cruise time and lower energy required, but since the cruise time is significant that doesn't work out to launching at the mo

It does time the launches for short cruise time and lower energy required, but since the cruise time is significant that doesn't work out to launching at the moment of closest approach. See https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_mission_to_Mars https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Human_mission_to_Mars section "Travel to Mars" for some discussion.