MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

[NolanRyansSnowmonkey]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Our pitching definitely carried us as we are still last in the majors in batting average. We have somehow become a team that relies on smashing the ball for homers and extra base hits vs that of a team that gets on base and utilizes the running game.

Either way I am stoked to be in the playoffs again. Playing 156 games thus far and its been a grind and a roller coaster ride. Feels good to get a chance to play October baseball having gone through the journey.

Heck yeah! Doesn't matter how you get there, you just find a way. There is nothing like fighting through a season like that. Postseason in this game really has that playoff atmosphere. I actually turned up crowd volume a notch or two just to add to the ambience. When i went to real Rangers postseason games the crowd noise was deafening at times. I wanted to replicate that. I got butterflies before every game just like when i played ball. Lol.

I want to experience that again. Not looking good for this year though. I will live vicariously through you. Haha

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

With 5 days left in the season the following teams have clinched a spot in the playoffs:

Tigers
Astros (Won the AL West)
Cardinals
Dodgers (Won the NL West and home field advantage)

Pennant Races:

AL EAST

Orioles
Yankees 3 GB

AL CENTRAL

Tigers
Twins 4 GB

AL WILDCARD

A's + 2
Twins
Rangers 1 GB
Yankees 3 GB
Mariners 3 GB


NL EAST

Mets
Braves 2 GB

NL CENTRAL

Cardinals
Reds 3 GB

NL WILDCARD

Reds +3
Padres
Rockies 1 GB
Braves 1 GB
Cubs 2 GB
Giants 2 GB

[mlblover15]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I am loving this game. I can hit better even on the lower levels that I play on. Which I could not do in 17 at all. I am by far not the best or even an average player of this game. I haven't had this much fun with a show title since 15/16. do I play this game ultra realistically? absolutely not.

I have a win streak that is right at 30 games right now going into the All-Star break. My personal best for a win streak of any kind was back ASB 05 with a win streak of 42 or 44 games I do believe.

that was on that games hardest level of play. that was also the same season I won 140 games I believe. This year's game is taking me back to those days of just utter domination.

I play this game for fun not for absolute realism at all. I like that is a sim for the most part but I'm glad there is room for a more relaxed fun style of play as well.

I'm def not knocking any of you that play on the middle to highest levels of this game with ultra-realism in mind. that is cool. but that is not the way I can enjoy this game. that would be rage quit city for me game in and game out each and every game.

Last year even on rookie which is the level that I play on now, I was rage quitting all day long. I had less than 24 total hrs of gameplay into franchise last year. This year I bypassed that line in the first weekend it was out.

with one week to go before the All-Star game I have a record of 73-16.

to all of us that live for this game virtually and in real life... here is to our continued enjoyment of this game no matter how we choose to play it. if your trying to rebuild a long time struggling team continued success to you on that path... for those that are playing as our favorite teams no matter how good or bad they are continued success.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

After 159 games, the Cardinals are your 2019 National League Central Division Champions! This is our 3 NL Central title in the last 4 years.

Patrick Wisdom helped us clinch the title with this 3 run bomb in the bottom of the 8th trailing 2-0.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jxHvBYbVGGE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Other clinches:

Orioles won the AL East
Tigers won the AL Central
Astros won the AL West

Dodgers won the NL West and has home field advantage
Reds have clinched a wild card spot

Up for grabs:

AL WILDCARD

A's +2
Twins
Rangers 1 GB
Rays 2 GB
Mariners 2 GB
Yankees 2 GB
Indians 3 GB

NL EAST

Mets
Braves 1 GB
Nationals 3 GB

NL WILDCARD

Reds -- have clinched
Padres
Rockies 2 GB
Braves 2 GB
Diamondbacks 3 GB

Our 3 game series in Cincinnati will now allow us to rest guys and try to get some guys some time facing big league talent and seeing how they fare. Our starters won't sit the entire 3 games, but we'll treat it similar to Spring Training as we are the 2nd divisional team and will host in the NLDS.

Oh how satisfying this title feels!!!!

[NolanRyansSnowmonkey]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

After 159 games, the Cardinals are your 2019 National League Central Division Champions! This is our 3 NL Central title in the last 4 years.

Patrick Wisdom helped us clinch the title with this 3 run bomb in the bottom of the 8th trailing 2-0.


<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/jxHvBYbVGGE" frameborder="0" allow="autoplay; encrypted-media" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Other clinches:

Orioles won the AL East
Tigers won the AL Central
Astros won the AL West

Dodgers won the NL West and has home field advantage
Reds have clinched a wild card spot

Up for grabs:

AL WILDCARD

A's +2
Twins
Rangers 1 GB
Rays 2 GB
Mariners 2 GB
Yankees 2 GB
Indians 3 GB

NL EAST

Mets
Braves 1 GB
Nationals 3 GB

NL WILDCARD

Reds -- have clinched
Padres
Rockies 2 GB
Braves 2 GB
Diamondbacks 3 GB

Our 3 game series in Cincinnati will now allow us to rest guys and try to get some guys some time facing big league talent and seeing how they fare. Our starters won't sit the entire 3 games, but we'll treat it similar to Spring Training as we are the 2nd divisional team and will host in the NLDS.

Oh how satisfying this title feels!!!!

Congrats!

Feels good to wrap it up a bit early. Ready for some postseason baseball.

Now im pulling for the Rangers to get that wild card lol.

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

So I've decided to put my Braves franchise on a temporary hiatus and run a Yankees franchise for the first time since probably '12. The Yankees are my real life team, and I almost never play as them in game as I find it hard to butcher the roster for guys I am actually invested in. Well I'm tired of playing as other teams and figured its time to give this a go. I will be playing every game (combination of playing and quick manage) using dynamic difficulty. OSFM 1.5 rosters with some manual edits to reflect real scouting reports for my prospects. I also adjusted to real life contracts (huge deal for Ellsbury for 3 years, sigh). Goal is to build a perennial winner but stay under luxury tax threshold which is $197M for 2018. I am at about $171M with couches and scouts included.

2018 Spring Training/Roster Outlook

Team is obviously built to win now. I am loaded with young stars but face stiff competition from the Sox in the division.

Starting Rotation

Luis Severino established himself as an elite starter in 2017 and figures to be the rock of our pitching staff and a potential Cy Young contender. Behind him I have Masahiro Tanaka, who had his worst season in 2017 but redeemed himself big time in the postseason and is primed for a rebound. Sonny Gray was acquired from Oakland for prospects in '17 and was shaky down the stretch, but has a shot to be a solid contributor in the #3 spot. We brought back CC on a $10M 1-year deal in the offseason, so he and sophomore lefty Jordan Montgomery figure to break camp rounding out the 4 and 5 spots. Rookie Domingo German and 4-A swingman Luis Cessa will also get some starts in spring as they will be my first line of defense in the event of an injury or necessary spot start during the season.

Bullpen

Early projections have us with the best pen in the majors on the strength of powerhouses Aroldis Chapman, David Robertson, Chad Green, and Tommy Kahnle. Dellin Betances is a 4-time all-star and we need him to return to form. He has no idea where the ball is going and has no command, but is unhittable when he can manage to put something in the zone. Getting him right is a goal for the spring as he could still make a big difference for the team. Our one glaring weakness, if any, is that we only have one lefty in the pen before Chapman in Chasen Shreve.

Infield

Gary Sanchez is the starting catcher, backed up by Austin Romine. We also have Didi Gregorius entrenched at short after a breakout 2017 in which he hit 25 homers. First, second, and third all need to be ironed out before we head north. Greg Bird is the best defender at first, but he needs to prove that he is healthy and can hit consistently. #1 prospect Gleyber Torres is in camp and could conceivably win the second or third base job if he proves he is healthy and ready to hit major league pitching. We acquired Brandon Drury in a trade from Arizona just before spring so he will begin getting the work at third but will have to earn it. Rookie Miguel Andujar has a highly regarded bat but lackluster defense. If he brings the thunder at the plate and plays acceptably in the field he could wrestle either the third or first base job for opening day. Super utility man Ronald Torreyes likely has a job as a reserve infielder but could get the call at second if Torres isn't ready. Finally Tyler Austin has some pop but is limited to first, where he would have to outperform Bird and Miggy Andujar to win a starting job.

Outfield

Aaron Judge will play right, and 2017 NL MVP Giancarlo Stanton will likely handle full-time DH duties to clear some space for the remaining logjam I have here. Aaron Hicks, Brett Gardner, and Jacoby Ellsbury will be competing for reps in center and left and I could wind up with quite a platoon here if all three play well in spring. Clint Frazier and Billy McKinney are in camp but it is hard to envision them having a spot on the team to start the year, barring injury.

Updates to come after spring - top prospects, opening day lineups, and more.

[reyes the roof]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I didn't know this was even mathematically possible, but 47 games in to my season and 11 out of 15 NL teams are under.500

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Congrats!

Feels good to wrap it up a bit early. Ready for some postseason baseball.

Now im pulling for the Rangers to get that wild card lol.

Rangers made the wildcard


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[NolanRyansSnowmonkey]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Rangers made the wildcard


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

Wow im actually surprised, given they were behind with only 3 days to go! Nice! When do the playoffs start? I am assuming you will be hosting either the Braves or the Mets right

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Wow im actually surprised, given they were behind with only 3 days to go! Nice! When do the playoffs start? I am assuming you will be hosting either the Braves or the Mets right

The playoffs have taken place and concluded as I’m behind updating lol.

I hosted the Mets and lost in 5 games in the NLDS, where the road team won every game.

Dodgers won their 4th straight World Series title.

Full breakdown coming


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

[KBLover]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

I didn't know this was even mathematically possible, but 47 games in to my season and 11 out of 15 NL teams are under.500

Those other four must be sporting some very dominant records.

Or the NL is getting killed in interleague play perhaps?

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Atlanta Braves Franchise

2019 Spring Training Wrap Up

Braves Record: 16-13

After a busy offseason the Braves teased a much-improved offense in spring training 2019. We really looked pitiful at first, starting spring 3-8 but finally the offense heated up and we started to look like a team that could make some noise in 2019.

Pitching Rotation

RHP Julio Teheran
LHP Luiz Gohara
RHP Lucas Sims
LHP Sean Newcomb
RHP Mike Foltynewicz

Teheran looked strong as ever at the top, and Gohara looks like he could be poised for a breakout year. Newcomb makes the team though he struggled mightily in spring (9.00 ERA, 2.25 WHIP) and can't seem to shake the command issues that plagued him all of last season. Sims was dominant in his starts and Foltynewicz was just good enough to make his way back into the rotation after a down 2018. Top prospect Mike Soroka was overmatched in 4 spring starts and will return to AAA. Matt Wisler was just OK, but he still earns a long relief role to kick off the year.

Bullpen

RHP Arodys Vizcaino
RHP Bryan Shaw
LHP Grant Dayton
RHP Tony Zych
RHP Jose Ramirez
LHP Sam Freeman
RHP Matt Wisler

LHP Tommy Layne suffered a shoulder separation and is out until at least late-April, so Sam Freeman makes it as a lefty middleman. Rule 5 pick Tony Zych looks like a revelation, pitching 12 scoreless innings in spring and striking out 17. Vizcaino and Dayton return along with Shaw who was stellar to round out the back end. Finally Jose Ramirez looked solid as he looks to turn around a poor 2018.

Starters

C Manny Pina
1B Freddie Freeman
2B Brian Dozier
SS Ozzie Albies
3B Johan Camargo
LF Marwin Gonzalez
CF Ender Inciarte
RF Ronald Acuna

Bench

C Rob Brantly
IF Dansby Swanson
IF Christian Colon
OF Ezequiel Carrera
UT Ryan Flaherty

Obviously the glaring item here is Dansby Swanson does not make the starting lineup. Everyone hit in spring but him. Coming off a season where he batted .230 with just 32 RBI's playing every day, he hit just .155 in spring. Johan Camargo was on fire breathing down his neck, batting .388 with a homer and 5 RBI's playing just part time most of March. It was a very tough decision as Swanson is supposed to be part of the future fabric of this team, but it has gone on long enough and he will have to earn his spot back and prove he can hit like we think he can. Outside of that, this offense was very productive in spring training and should be a leagues better than last year. Top prospect Austin Riley was in camp, but hit the DL with an MCL sprain and is likely slated for AAA when he returns.

We finished 63-99 last year and have a chip on our shoulder. Time to do some damage.

[Rocket32]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

The playoffs have taken place and concluded as I’m behind updating lol.

I hosted the Mets and lost in 5 games in the NLDS, where the road team won every game.

Dodgers won their 4th straight World Series title.

Full breakdown coming


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

So in your franchise universe the MLB basically turned into the NBA?

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Here is the playoff results

NATIONAL LEAGUE

WILDCARD GAME

Reds def Padres

NLDS

Mets def Cardinals 3-2
Dodgers def Reds 3-0

NLCS

Dodgers def Mets 4-3


AMERICAN LEAGUE

WILDCARD GAME

A's def Rangers

ALDS

Orioles def Tigers 3-1
Astros def A's 3-1

ALCS

Astros def Orioles 4-2

FALL CLASSIC/WORLD SERIES

Dodgers def Astros 4-0

DODGERS ARE YOUR 2019 WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONS! THEIR 4TH STRAIGHT WORLD SERIES CHAMPIONSHIP!!!!

On to the 2020 season

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 18 Franchise Discussion Thread

Matt Holliday and Jon Jay retired from our team.

Biggest "issue" we have to tackle right now is that Carlos Martinez wants $16.3M per year and be the ace of the staff. Matt Carpenter wants $12.3M per year. We only have appx $34M in available payroll this offseason without trading anyone.

Carpenter will probably get something close to his asking price and he seems to be flexible. Martinez on the other hand is hell bent on being the ACE and his asking price. He was 6-13 last year (record skewed due to bad beats), but his ERA shot up to near 4 this year.

I have a feeling that we are going to have to let Martinez hit the open market and see what the market is willing to pay for him.

Other exclusive free agents:

Dioner Navarro asking 2 years $7M. Will hit open market
Danny Farqhuar asking 1 year for $4M. Not sure if I'll do a sign and trade or let him hit the market.

We are picking up the club options on Trevor Rosenthal $8.1M and Jordan Walden $6.5M.

The 2019/2020 offseason is underway.