Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

[jsou4646]

I'm a die hard mlb the show fan, as well as a baseball junkie. In this years game along with last years game I've noticed that the computer on the highest difficulty throws a large percentage of off speed. The team mlb average for fastballs thrown ranges from the bottom at 50% to the top at 65%. I'm seeing a lot of results trending around 30 to 40 %. For me it feels un authentic. As though the CPU is throwing junk mostly and mixing in a fastball on occasion, or pitching backwards constantly. I still play mlb 13 with a couple buddy in a long standing franchise, in that game I'm consistently seeing the CPU use the fastball in the correct perecnetsges just like real life. Does anyone have any ideas on how to fix the newer games issues. I've tried lowering the control in the pitchers off speed through player editing. This helps a little, but I just played a game were Kevin gausman threw 39 off speed pitches out of the 49 pitches he threw. One of my last ideas is to change the difficulty level from legend back to hall of fame. I'd hate to do that because I always end up playing the toughest difficulty in the end. But I think this may help the CPU attack more with the fastball aka like in real life. Any input would be appreciated. Thanks.

[HighCmpPct]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

I've kinda seen this through a ton of games, I feel it actually has more to do with pitch confidence levels instead of difficulty.

Like me, my worse pitch against is the change. I just don't very consistently get hits off of it. Therefore the opposing pitcher usually has a higher confidence in it and winds up throwing it more than they usually would.

So if you sit back and hit most of the fastballs hard but don't do as well against off-speed pitches that's going to lead to you seeing more of those than you normally would.

[jsou4646]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

I've kinda seen this through a ton of games, I feel it actually has more to do with pitch confidence levels instead of difficulty.

Like me, my worse pitch against is the change. I just don't very consistently get hits off of it. Therefore the opposing pitcher usually has a higher confidence in it and winds up throwing it more than they usually would.

So if you sit back and hit most of the fastballs hard but don't do as well against off-speed pitches that's going to lead to you seeing more of those than you normally would.

That is true. I've seen this and noticed this as well. That being said pitch confidence aside it's still too drastic. Thanks for the feedback.

[HighCmpPct]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

Agree pitch confidence is to powerful and effects way to many things in this game, at least to me.

Couple this with the fact that I believe change-ups are still to effective in game as well, and it will drastically alter pitch percentages. I can't tell you how many times 3-0 and 3-1 I've seen the CPU go off-speed or breaking pitch. And while yes it does happen in real life, the percentage at which it happens in game because of pitch confidence is way too often.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

The computer knows what you're bad at hitting. I've noticed a LOT more fastballs since I learned to hit offspeed.

[bad_philanthropy]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

As other have said, I think it's mostly a pitch confidence thing. It really buffs secondary pitches and a pitcher's ability to locate them. I don't mind lower rated pitchers getting hot with the changeup if I'm biting, but I also don't want them to look like Marco Estrada changeup artist out there.

There needs to be a bit more balance between the effects of pitch confidence relative to a pitcher's ratings, and the specific pitch rating.

[HighCmpPct]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

Maybe what we need is some baselines for pitch confidence?

Say pitcher A has a great FB, a good not great change, and a so-so curve. He could have set confidence lows and highs.

Example: FB- 99-70, CH- 70-40, CB- 50-20

On the other hand say pitcher B has a great curve, a good FB, and a so-so change

Example: CB- 99-70, FB- 70-40, CH- 50-20

See what I'm saying? That way a pitcher isn't throwing such a high percentage of a pitch that he's not that great at throwing just because your bad at hitting it.

I mean that's like Clayton Kershaw dominating your entire team with the change-up just because you're not good at hitting it. I mean he's probably going to dominate your team but he's not doing it with the change.

[bobloblah1980]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

I started a thread similar to this last year. The FB % is much better compared to last year . If you struck out once or twice on an offspeeed pitch last year? Lookout it was offspeeed city ! Lol.. I also think the no less than 3 pitches cap is a huge part of the problem. A large number of RP only use 2 pitches and even some SP's do. And most SP'S use 3 MAYBE 4 and of course there is the 5 &6 Pitcher guys , but they are a rare breed.

The best pitch versus worst pitch %'s needs to have more weight in pitch selection too. For example say someone like Joe Kelley of the Bosox, if he gets down 3-1 more often than not you're going to see a FB because that's his best pitch not some change he barely uses

[Sgexpat]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

As other have said, I think it's mostly a pitch confidence thing. It really buffs secondary pitches and a pitcher's ability to locate them. I don't mind lower rated pitchers getting hot with the changeup if I'm biting, but I also don't want them to look like Marco Estrada changeup artist out there.

There needs to be a bit more balance between the effects of pitch confidence relative to a pitcher's ratings, and the specific pitch rating.

should we turn pitch confidence off?

I kinda like how it takes a pitch off the table now and then (which is realistic) and how it keeps the CPU from making the same mistake over and over to the user, but if it causes too much pitching backwards then maybe we should turn it off.

[HighCmpPct]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

should we turn pitch confidence off?

I kinda like how it takes a pitch off the table now and then (which is realistic) and how it keeps the CPU from making the same mistake over and over to the user, but if it causes too much pitching backwards then maybe we should turn it off.

You can't turn pitch confidence off, the only that option in the settings does is turn off the visual for it. It's still there doing it's thing.

[Sgexpat]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

You can't turn pitch confidence off, the only that option in the settings does is turn off the visual for it. It's still there doing it's thing.

darn, I thought that setting turned the functionality off

[jsou4646]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

darn, I thought that setting turned the functionality off

I tried that too.

[nomo17k]

Re: Having problem achieving a realistic fastball % from the cpu pitchers

This could in part be from how you are hitting against fastball vs. off-seed pitches.

It's been said that CPU AI is adaptive to some extent (more so in higher difficulty levels), so if you are strong fastball hitter but not as good at handling off-speed junks, then it is possible that the AI is detecting it and exploiting your weakness.

If you are consistently seeing CPU pitchers' individual pitch confidence max out on off-speed/breaking pitches but substantially lower on fastballs, then that may actually tell how you tend to fare against those pitch types. The AI pitcher would be more confident on pitches that you do not hit well.