Striking the AI Out

[Mike Lowe]

I wanted to open up discussion on the art of striking the AI out in MLB The Show 15, as it seems a bit unstable when compared to other stats in a game (and real life). While I've been able to replicate accurate swing and miss % on pitches outside of the zone (about 30%), and while the game does an outstanding job with foul ball % (about 15%), it seems the AI goes into defense mode with 2 strikes every time they are up. This is merely an observation, as I've noticed the rate at which I can get 2 strikes on a hitter seems vastly higher than getting an actual strikeout, and it seems my team totals for Ks is lower than I'd expect when compared around the league.

I've really focused the slider set I'm using to produce swings and misses for both sides, as outside of the box, these seemed lacking. However, it seems tough to produce accurate strikeout numbers for your pitchers, but tinkering too much elsewhere will likely throw things like some of the percentages I mentioned above out of wack.

Maybe on HoF the AI just is that much better at putting the bat on the ball? But in my opinion, anything lower the HoF the AI is incapable of consistently being a threat on offense.

What are you all seeing? Are we seeing enough swings and misses (or taken strikes) and strikeouts overall when compared to the other AI teams in franchise mode and/or MLB?

[NDAlum]

Re: Striking the AI Out

I just alter the sliders. Timing is what does the trick for me. Think I put them down to 4.

[Fours]

Re: Striking the AI Out

This is one of the most frustrating things about pitching in the game.

I play on HOF too, and even 130+ K hitters become very defensive and have unrealistic plate coverage with 2 strikes.

But more than that.. When the RH CPU fouls off a down and away change-up from a LHP, and I check the swing info and it shows he was sitting on an belt high inside fastball, I just want quit the game.. Not only is he a mile away, but he sure wasn't looking inside for a change or slider.. So he was badly fooled on location and speed, yet somehow gets wood on the pitch to stay alive..

Adding more realism "under the hood" would go a long way to improving the game. Even if a lot of people wouldn't have known to complain about something like that.

[TheRealC7R]

Re: Striking the AI Out

I would suggest playing with CPU foul frequency as that slider is the one that protects batters on 2 strike counts. Timing can also influence whiffs, but the foul frequency is the one that seems to be most helpful when you just can't get the batter to miss the ball in deeper counts.

[Mike Lowe]

Re: Striking the AI Out

Guys, thank you for the input. I actually have foul sliders set to 0 for both sides and I still am seeing 15% foul balls, which is perfect. You still will see some odd fouls still happening as described above.

I will try and lower swing timing and see what that does. I honestly forget where I have that on my slider set (I'm on my phone).

[Fours]

Re: Striking the AI Out

I have both foul freq sliders set to zero, and CPU timing to 3 or 4(I think)..

I also have fielder reaction up 2 notches, and fielder speed down 2.

CPU pitcher consistency is dropped 1 or 2 notches..

Everything else is stock.

Any other suggestions for HOF sim style?

[bcruise]

Re: Striking the AI Out

Guys, thank you for the input. I actually have foul sliders set to 0 for both sides and I still am seeing 15% foul balls, which is perfect. You still will see some odd fouls still happening as described above.

I will try and lower swing timing and see what that does. I honestly forget where I have that on my slider set (I'm on my phone).

I'm so glad to see people warming up to this idea, I've played like this for a couple years now and love it. It requires patience at the plate as the "safety net" you had when swinging at corner strikes is gone, but ultimately I think it's a much more rewarding experience.

[Mike Lowe]

Re: Striking the AI Out

I have both foul freq sliders set to zero, and CPU timing to 3 or 4(I think)..

I also have fielder reaction up 2 notches, and fielder speed down 2.

CPU pitcher consistency is dropped 1 or 2 notches..

Everything else is stock.

Any other suggestions for HOF sim style?

Checking my sliders, I have fouls at 0 and AI timing at 4. I might try 3 to see how it goes.

I also have fielder reaction at 7, but have fielder running speed at 0 which has been AWESOME. You see some really tough plays being made out there, but not all of them which leads to far more hit variety, especially on hits that fall in between OF and IF.

Last, I have pitch consistency also set to 0 for both sides as this is the only way you'll see your players hit by the pitch enough to keep up with the rest of the league's totals.

Fours, check out the sliders in my sig. If you're playing HoF, they may be a match for you.

[NDAlum]

Re: Striking the AI Out

Pitch consistency, to me, is the most important slider for pitchers. When you put their consistency down you get a ton of balls over the meat of the plate or way out of the zone. I found that when I put their consistency to 2 or 3 I was just destroying the CPU pitchers. Also when I put my consistency up I did significantly better on the mound.

My personal opinion is that pitch consistency needs to stay close to 5. When you put it down you get too many balls that catch almost all white.

I also have fouls at 0 and like the current rate.

[Mike Lowe]

Re: Striking the AI Out

Thanks, ND! For me, year after year, if I don't have consistency as low as possible, I lead the league in BBA by a mile. Now, I'm seeing games where I'll walk 3, 4, 5 and even 8! Then, David Price will come out and walk just 1 in a complete game. I'm completely comfortable with where I have the sliders at for me, personally, but I just don't see enough swings and misses on pitches with 2 strikes on the hitter, especially pitches in the zone.

My belief is that the AI goes WAY defensive with 2 strikes, even for big-time power hitters.

As a hitter myself, I rarely RARELY use the defensive swing, and I basically never use power swing.

Thanks again for the feedback!

[Fours]

Re: Striking the AI Out

I'm not sure which setting is best, but there's no doubt you have to something about CPU pitcher control.

On HOF with default sliders, a good CPU pitcher puts about 60% of his pitches within an inch of the strike zone border.

That's insane