How do you play franchise mode

[lakerhater]

Hey all, I’m 100% enjoying MLB The Show this year and typically play March to October for a sped up franchise experience… but I don’t like the the fact you can’t initiate trades…I’d like to have that so obv I look at franchise mode but 162 games is LONG haha. So I was curious how you all play your franchise mode. I remember seeing a thread on this ( I know I know sorry) about players only playing certain games … was curious what your style or formula is for lack of a better term. Thanks !

[DallasRocks]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

I've been using quick counts the last couple years with fast play on and have the CPU use quick pitch. I am able to play a complete game in 20-30 minutes and play every game with feeling like I have full impact. It also helps with getting decent walk totals and pitch counts. I am able to play all 162 games and usually finish around June or July. Also creates a better challenge because you might start off with 2 strikes at the plate or 3 balls on the CPU

[lakerhater]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

That’s how unfamiliar I am with franchise mode I had no idea about quick counts. I like it.

[NiteLordz]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

QC is nice, but it lacks as well. Never get some counts. Most have one ball minimum, which leads to higher pitch counts earlier in the game.

That said, it definitely helps getting walks and making the game quicker

[lakerhater]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

QC is nice, but it lacks as well. Never get some counts. Most have one ball minimum, which leads to higher pitch counts earlier in the game.

That said, it definitely helps getting walks and making the game quicker

I’m def gonna look into it. I’m thinking of that or playing the 1st game of every series and dimming to end if it’s a blowout. I love the speed of March to October and the mode is nice, I get it. But I’m looking for more immersion ya know ?

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

Play one, sim two. Almost every team will win 54 and lose 54. That other third of games is the difference between first place and 30th place. I've said that before but I dont think I can stress it enough.

[eric7064]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

I play the first 5, sometimes 10.

Then I do 1 game a series after. Sometimes I'll skip a series and do 2 games of a more interesting one. I play all playoff games if we make it. I'll also play more September games if I'm in a close race. I quick manage all the others so I still feel I have some impact on them. I get through quite a few seasons with this method.

[kinsmen7]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

Quick counts on, play every game.

I don't play fast-play, so it typically takes me between 35-45 minutes to get a game in.

As @nitelordz mentioned, there are some downfalls to quick counts, but when I look back after I complete a season, starting pitcher innings pitched stats are reasonably similar to real-life.

It definitely helps me get a more realistic walk rate, but it's also a lot easier to strike out, both offensively and when you're controlling the pitcher.

I've done a bit where I play 1, sim 5, so I basically roll through my pitching rotation, and the season goes a lot quicker, but I prefer to settle in for the long grind of an MLB season.

[NiteLordz]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

One thing I'd like added in, is if you have QC enabled and the CPU brings in a relief pitcher, it starts at an early count

It happens more than I like, that a relief pitcher comes in and the QC is 2-2 and have no idea what the pitcher looks like.

Be nice to either see their warm up ( maybe 2? ) or the count starts at 0-0

Just a little thing, but doesn't ruin the game by any stretch

[hbr_rocket]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

I play all 162 games with me playing every inning, every pitch and every hitter at the plate.
I just want to play one season and it takes me pretty much all year to do it. Well it will take me up until The Collage Football game comes out then I switch over to it until December.
I then take a couple months off to await MLB The Show in mid March.
I never really have a desire for more than 1 full season. I also play some RTTS. I started out in High School but passed on the collage playing since I got drafted in the 5th round by a team In would not mind playing for. I hate to play for a team I have no interest in.

The unknown this year is the upcoming new NASCAR Game, that may peak my interest enough to play around with it until January of February to start a season and play it in between The Show and the NCAA Football

[Ghost Of The Year]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

I play all 162 games with me playing every inning, every pitch and every hitter at the plate.
I just want to play one season and it takes me pretty much all year to do it. Well it will take me up until The Collage Football game comes out then I switch over to it until December.
I then take a couple months off to await MLB The Show in mid March.
I never really have a desire for more than 1 full season. I also play some RTTS. I started out in High School but passed on the collage playing since I got drafted in the 5th round by a team In would not mind playing for. I hate to play for a team I have no interest in.

The unknown this year is the upcoming new NASCAR Game, that may peak my interest enough to play around with it until January of February to start a season and play it in between The Show and the NCAA Football

MLBTS25, CFB26 and the next Nascar game are my three most wanted for 2025.

[SmashMan]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

If you like March to October, check out the Custom Game Entry Conditions in Franchise. It’ll prompt you to do them when you’re starting your Franchise, but if you skip it then you can also find it from the Calendar screen later.

[NYJin2011tm]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

Before quick counts I would sort of do like a football schedule. I would play division two series( one home, one away), then sim(where I manually start the game with my lineup then sim to end). All other opponents I would play one series then sim the same way as division opponents.

I’ve also in the past done play one game each series then sim.

Since quick counts I play every game. I just like the quicker flow with quick counts. I used to do fast play but I do do broadcast now and just skip what I don’t want to see.

[NightOwl]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

In the franchises I start where I don’t want to play all 162, I utilize a 1, 4, 2, 5, 3 method. Those numbers pertain to my starting pitchers but it essentially works out to a play one, sim two method, and that’s just how I keep track of where I’m at in my notes section lol.

Im seeing a lot of mention about quick counts though and I used to be an avid quick counts user many years ago. I may have to give that a whirl again this year. Something about bringing a reliever in, essentially mid at-bat, bugged me enough to stop using it back then, but now I don’t think I’ll care… between that and never getting to “jump on the first pitch” bothered me a lot. But neither are stats tracked by the game anyway so idk why I let it bother me so much

[CgyFlames]

Re: How do you play franchise mode

I really enjoy position lock. Two ways I like to do it:

1. With an MLB contender: Rotating position lock. Opening day you are the pitcher, then rotate C, 1B, and so on until RF. Repeat. You’ll play 18 games at each position.

2. With a rebuilding organization: Each weekend, play the Double A game Friday, Triple A Saturday, and MLB Sunday. Rotate positions by weekend. The first weekend you are the pitcher in all games, second weekend the catcher, and again like above. You’ll play 3 weekends at each position by season’s end.