Working the count

[saucerset]

I've been practicing working the count lately vs the CPU. Today I had the starting pitcher at 105 pitches in the 6th inning with only 1 run in and 4 hits. Do any of you do this in a strategy move to get the starter out and get into the bullpen?

[physicx]

Re: Working the count

Always, it's a part of the game. Look for the spin and height on the ball out of his hand just like in real life. The key is to not get greedy against relievers, it's your first time seeing them late in the game

[NEOPARADIGM]

Re: Working the count

There's nothing quite as demoralizing as getting to the 7th or 8th and see that the starter has only thrown 68 pitches or something.

I basically always try to run his count up as much as possible, or at least enough to where he's not just coasting along at 10 pitches per inning or something.

I pretty much always try - at least in a "back burner" sort of way - to have them throw 20 or more pitches every inning.

Not to mention, if you want anything resembling realistic BB numbers, you pretty much have to work the count basically all game.

Last point, I'm pretty sure the game is actually coded so that hitting is literally easier on hitter's counts, so it's just good sense to try to get into as many of them as possible.

[ggsimmonds]

Re: Working the count

Yes and no. I try to be patient at the plate but I also avoid taking pitches just to run up the pitch count. If I see a fastball up in the zone to Chris Davis I crush it. I don't care if it is the first pitch or not.

So sometimes I get the starter into a high count early and sometimes not so much. It depends on what the pitcher is doing

[Frank is the Tank]

Re: Working the count

There's nothing quite as demoralizing as getting to the 7th or 8th and see that the starter has only thrown 68 pitches or something.

Been there before, and you couldn't have said it any better.

I try and treat everything in the game as you should when you play in real life. It makes it more entertaining to see how things play out!

[nick_sr]

Re: Working the count

Just started taking every first pitch and it has helped a lot! I suggest guys having trouble hitting do the same

[Arrowhead21]

Re: Working the count

I try to see an absolute minimum of 15 pitches per inning, but I find that walks are hard to come by on base sliders.

[ggsimmonds]

Re: Working the count

Just started taking every first pitch and it has helped a lot! I suggest guys having trouble hitting do the same

If you mean it as a universal rule I would advise against it. Numerous times I have decided to take the first pitch prior to seeing the pitch and numerous times it was a pitch I could have hit hard. Not only was I then down 0-1, but you also think "man I missed a good pitch to hit, cannot do that again."

So the next pitch is a changeup below the knees and much of the time that causes a swing and a miss. Now down 0-2 and that is not fun.

Do not universally predetermine to take or swing. Certain situations yes, such as leadoff hitter, after a walk, reliever just entered, etc. but not all the time.

Tangent: Conversely there have been several times where a pitcher lays one right down the middle and I take a good rip at it only to see a negative result. Reason? My genius batter decides to look for something down and away on the first pitch, because why not right? Ah the troubles of timing hitting...

[rspencer86]

Re: Working the count

You have to be smart about it, though. If you have a power hitter up and are taking 3-0 fastballs right down the middle, you are missing opportunities to do damage just for the sake of running up the pitch count.

If a guy is pounding the strike zone, taking pitches is the last thing you want to do. Look to be aggressive and get some hits so he is forced to throw more out of the zone. Then you can be a bit more patient.

Early in the count, I am looking for a specific pitch or a specific location (or both). If it's in the strike zone but not in the place I'm looking, that's OK. When you get to two strikes, then you have to be protecting the entire zone.

[ShaBoomer]

Re: Working the count

I play by old school rules....

I look fastball until I have 2 strikes, then I protect the plate.

Keep in mind that the AI in The Show will adapt to your batting style. If you take a lot of first pitches, the AI will start to throw more first pitch strikes. If you free swing a lot, the AI will start to throw out of the zone to make you chase.

If you're a sucker for a certain pitch (we all are I think), then you'll see a lot of them until you show you can lay off.

If you check out your Universal Profile, on page 2, you can see what kind of a batter and pitcher you are in the game.

[bibibanax]

Re: Working the count

Yes, the CPU pitcher adapts to your strategy. If you always take the first pitch, when it will come to your second turn of your lineup, expect to see many first pitch in the middle of the zone.

Same thing if you swing at everything. They will throw sliders and change up nowhere near the strike zone.

My strategy is to take the first pitch, but with a power hitter or with 2 outs bases empty (or if the pitcher already throwed a lot of pitches in the inning), I swing and the success rate is high.

[ManiacMatt1782]

Re: Working the count

I kind of do I hybrid. I only swing first pitch, if I am sitting dead red on a location and it is right there. otherwise I let it go. I can work counts fairly well, and get some 7,8,9 pitch atbats after fouling off some close pitches with 2 strikes.

[Mitchrapp]

Re: Working the count

When I get 2 strikes I keep the bat on my shoulders until the last moment..foul off as many as possible until I get that pitch. No better feeling getting a 9-10-11 pitch at bat even resulting in a ground out.