MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Diamondbacks sweep Cards

The Cardinals were swept by the Diamondbacks in a 3 game series. As inconsistent as starting pitching has been, the Cardinals inability to drive in runners on base/in scoring position really hurt in this series, especially in the series finale where Luke Weaver went 7 strong innings, allowing 0 runs on 3 hits and fanning 9. The Cardinals took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the 7th on a Matt Carpenter RBI double, but stranded him there and Kelly on 3rd with zero outs. Top of the 8th and Adam Cimber gave up a game a 2 run homerun to Starling Marte and then Dean Kiekhefer gave up a solo shot to Pavin Smith as the D'Backs would go on to win 3-1.

Next up is a pivotal weekend series with the Pirates. Hopefully we can get things straightened out.

[Sweatmonkey]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

*BASEBALL HEAVEN*


***


FROM THE CARDINALS PERSPECTIVE

A 2019 DREAM-CHISE WITH ALL LEGENDS INCORPORATED INTO THEIR RESPECTIVE ORGANIZATIONS

***


“Put em all on notice!”

Looking at the early part of the schedule (through April) it was clear the theme for the Cards would be all about establishing their place inside the division! A freakish amount of games against Milwaukee, who at a glance were certainly at a disadvantage with only 3 historic invites to add ( 1 of those being a younger reboot in Braun). But Yount and Molitor taking hold of the left side of the infield compare to any other in the league. And let’s not forget how good the existing players on this team are as well. The bullpen is ridiculous! A lineup that already has Yelich, Moustakis, Cain, Grandal! Still they lack solid starters even for a normal season. They would definitely be put to the test in this league. And the Cardinals would waste no time doing them that honor sweeping them twice and taking 9 out of 10 games in the first month alone.

The Pirates certainly looked much more formidable with quality bats throughout, solid defenders, quality starters and complete bullpen! They are only 2 pieces short (3rd and SS) of a complete legend batting order. Kendall, Stargel, Mazeroski, Kiner, young McCutchen and Parker. Scary! So taking both first games in Pittsburgh after sweeping in Milwaukee had the Redbirds feeling pretty invincible heading to their home opener against SD. The padres would spoil that with a narrow defeat but the Cards would take 2 of 3 to win the series keeping the optimistic vibe very much alive!
*(It’s also awesome to know Ozzie’s “pre home game flip” would be a ritual again throughout this season!)


But the 1st big date that was circled before the season even began was April 8! The beginning of a 4 game set against the very proud and well represented historic LA/ Brooklyn Dodgers franchise! Arguably the NL favorites and possibly best in league! Boasting a historic invite list as follows:

SP: Orel Hershiser
SP: Don Sutton
CP: Eric Gange
C: Mike Piazza
C: Russell Martin (21 yo version)
1B: Eddie Murray (34 yo version)
1B: Steve Garvey
2B: Jackie Robinson
SS: Pee Wee Reese (would start the year at 3B with Seager playing SS)
CF: Matt Kemp (26 yo version)
CF: Duke Snider

Ummm, yeah! Time to put the big boy pants on haha!! See how we compare to the elites!

Game 1 would see Sutton vs Wacha at Sportsman’s Park where this 4 game set would both open and close per league rules of Monday and Thursday being throwback days! For specific franchise historic stadiums if available, and or uniforms or at least an element of a classic uni. Sutton would bring his A game and leave little question as to why he was in this elite league! Pitching 8 strong 2 hit shutout innings before handing it to Kelly and Gagne in the ninth to finish up. Wacha managed only 5 innings allowing 4 runs on 7 hits! Wainwright and Brebbia looked strong the rest of the way but to no avail. The Cards just couldn’t get anything at all going offensively. Very humbling almost completely deflating experience. But their ace, Gibson, would take the mound in Game 2, so hope was still in good shape despite the loss.

Kershaw vs Gibson was the Game 2 headline, and it would not disappoint! Both came out relishing the rare top level challenge, cutting opposing hitters down as if each wanted to establish themselves early in this league as “The best ever”! The Redbirds manufactured 1 run in the 2nd inning but other than that neither offense could solve the opposing pitcher for the first 7 innings, with the score at 1-0 heading to the 8th. Gibson’s pitch count was already over 100 but was absolutely resistant to any suggestions of fatigue and insisted he had no doubt in his ability to continue doing exactly what he’d done up to that point, and NOBODY would dare question this intensely focused athlete that was in such an obvious zone! Bellinger would put together a solid at bat forcing 12 pitches before finally grounding out. Then Steve Garvey would pinch hit for Kershaw roping a double to left field. This was the pivotal moment but ultimately Shildt decided it was Gibson’s game to win or lose and couldn’t bring himself to take it away and give it to the pen. Next batter Jackie Robinson rips a triple to the deep right center cavern at Sportsman’s Park tying the game. Then Pee Wee Reese hit one to almost the exact same spot for a triple of his own giving the Dodgers the lead. Next Snider bounced a double to left and put it at 3-1! Shildt had finally seen enough and Leone finished the inning without further incident, then Hicks shut down the 9th but the damage was done. The Cards would scrape one run off Gagne but lose 3-2 and learn a valuable lesson about ignoring egos in this league and doing what needs to be done to win. The buzz that was so present before the game was all but gone now, and the season was still very young with 2 games yet to be played against this Empirical feeling team in this series alone.

Game 3 would be another low scoring pitchers duel with Carlos Martinez vs Walker Buehler. Cardinals would take a 2-1 lead in the bottom of the 6th and waste no time giving the ball to what they will soon learn is the best weapon in their arsenal! (The back end of their bullpen) Sutter breezes through the 7th, Hicks handles the 8th and Miller seals the deal giving the Birds a 2-1 victory and restoring hope!

Game 4 would be Micholas vs Rich Hill back in Sportsman’s Park for the series finale. The Dodgers would waste no time in this one with Piazza blasting a 3 run shot in the first frame just over the wall next to the left foul pole. But that would be all Micholas would allow through his 6 innings of work, and the Cardinals would chip away 1 run at a time, station to station, manufacturing runs and playing their game. Micholas would hand the ball again in the 7th to that same group in the bullpen with a 4-3 lead! Miller would enter in the eighth this time though to handle Snider with runners at the corners and 2 out to get the 4 out save. Cards would add 2 in the bottom of the 8th and the final was 6-3! They had escaped with a split in the series but felt like world champs again!



Cincinnati would waste no time reminding them this was by no means a “Busch” league division they could just run through without concern! There were other proud franchises with great periods of dominance! And the vast core of their “Big Red Machine “ would not be disrespected so easy, handing them their first humbling beat down of the young season! The kind that seems like it would never end, pummeling them 10-0! Definitely served as a wake up call, but the Cards responded well with a solid Sunday win to split the 2 game set.


At the end of April the Cardinals had yet to lose a series and had a record of 21-8

A fantastic start to the season!

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[cubbies1744]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

For those getting lots of strikeouts, 1. What level, and 2. How?


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I play in legend with Mike Lowe's sliders and I try to paint the corners and get hitters to swing outside the zone by throwing my curveballs and change ups low. Also I use the meter interface as well.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

[bjenks]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

I play in legend with Mike Lowe's sliders and I try to paint the corners and get hitters to swing outside the zone by throwing my curveballs and change ups low. Also I use the meter interface as well.

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

This is basically exactly what I do. I like to work the inside against righty's and try to work away against lefty's. I don't throw much up in the zone unless I'm forced to.

[cubbies1744]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

This is basically exactly what I do. I like to work the inside against righty's and try to work away against lefty's. I don't throw much up in the zone unless I'm forced to.

I usually work high and in tight to power hitters. Or low and away to them with the breaking stuff

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

[MightyMaxxx13]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

MLB the Show 19 - New York Yankees Franchise

Im out of town at a hotel for the time being and of course I brought the trusty PS4 along with me. The TV I have is terrible with the lag though and the hitting is barely playable. I decided to power through with quick manage, and I’m having fun with it.

2019 Spring Training Recap

All of my starting pitchers looked great in camp, and my front 4 all pitched to ERA’s under 3 (until Happ got roughed up a bit in his final start). With CC on the shelf for the first two weeks of the season I had an open competition for the 5th starter spot, which was not an easy call. Loaisiga, German, and Cessa were all lights out but Cessa would earn the spot pitching to an ERA under 2 and WHIP under 1 in ~ 20 innings. German will also make the team in a swingman role as Loaisiga heads to AAA to get some more innings under his belt.

My bullpen was shakier - offseasom acquisition Adam Ottavino has had a rough start in pinstripes and was pounded in most of his outings. He was guaranteed a spot on the team with his contract so hopefully he turns it around. Britton was also pretty bad, as was Jonathan Holder who heads to AAA. Rookie Joe Harvey forced his way on to the team with a WHIP under 1 in 9 IP - he is my 8th bullpen arm as I’ll roll with a 13-man pitching staff to start the year.

Rotation:
R Severino
R Tanaka
L Paxton
L Happ
R Cessa

Bullpen:
L Chapman
R Betances
R Green
L Britton
R Ottavino
R Kahnle
R Harvey
R German

On the offensive side, Judge and LeMahieu tore the cover off the ball all spring while Torres, Sanchez, and Stanton all struggled. Sanchez will get a lot of scrutiny coming off terrible 2018 but I’m not as worried about the other two. Tulo struggled in the first two weeks but really turned it up toward the end to finish batting near .300 with an OBP of .400 even. Voit beats Bird for the starting 1B role, and Clint Frazier beats Tyler Wade and the surprisingly good Gio Urshela for the final spot. My infield defense was very shaky, something to keep an eye on going forward as we await the return of Didi Gregorius.

Opening Day Lineup:
CF Hicks
SS Tulowitzki
RF Judge
DH Stanton
3B Andujar
C Sanchez
1B Voit
2B Torres
LF Gardner

Bench
C Higashioka
IF LeMahieu
OF Frazier

Last note - Higashioka firmly outperformed Austin Romine during the spring and has earned the backup catcher position. As Romine was out of options, I traded him to the White Sox for OF Ryan Cordell who heads to AAA.

We are favored to win the division but will have to hold off the Rays and Red Sox to make it happen. Houston is favored to win the pennant as of now, but this is a team that should make it to the postseason and have a run at a title if we can weather the injuries.

[Rocket32]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

2 months are complete, and it’s onto June. We sit at 40-18, the second team to reach 40 wins this year. Cleveland was the first with a record of 42-15. The second place Rays sit 9.5 games behind us.

Division Leaders after 2 months:
Yankees 40-18
Indians 42-15
Angels 39-19
Phillies 37-20
Cubs 38-18
Rockies 36-22

Ellsbury cleared waivers and is now a FA, as expected.

Since arriving in NY 5 days ago, Matt Kemp has experienced a major turnaround at the plate after moving to a contender. He introduced himself to the home crowd well with a 2 hit 2 RBI day. He followed that up with a 2 hit 1 RBI game. The next day, a sac fly RBI game to close out the series with SD.

After taking 2 of 3 from the Padres, the Yankees are currently in the middle of a 4 game series with the Red Sox.


Game 1: Sevy Vs E-Rod
In a complete clobbering of the rival Red Sox, the Yankees would win 9-1. 5 scoreless innings from Sevy and a scoreless inning each for Britton, Green, and Ottavino. 3 hit day from LeMahieu including a HR. Another great day from Kemp, a double and a 2 run HR to opposite field. Torres would outdo him though with a grand slam.


Game 2: Tanaka Vs Porcello
The Sox returned the next night showing a lot more fight. Clint Frazier got the Yankees on the board first in the 3rd with a solo shot. Boston immediately responded with a 3 run 4th giving them a 3-1 lead. In the 5th, the Yankees answered back with 3 runs of their own. With runners on the corners and no outs Kemp blasted one to left for a 3 run bomb propelling the Yankees back into the lead 4-3.

Fast forward to the 7th with Tanaka still out there. After a Swihart groundout, Nunez homered to left tying the game 4-4, ending Tanaka’s night. After 1.2 innings of scoreless ball from Green and a scoreless inning from Britton, we were headed to the 10th. In comes Kimbrel, set with the difficult task of going through the heart of the Red Sox lineup.

JDM opened the inning with a groundout to Andujar. Betts would work a walk before Bogaerts flew out to Judge. A wild pitch later, Betts takes second. Then Pearce walks. Instead of making the obvious move of sending in Chapman to take advantage of the lefty matchup with JBJ Boone went with his gut leaving Kimbrel out there. It worked out. A pitch got away from Sanchez a little but he fired to third to nail Betts trying to take third. Onto the bottom half.


Matt Barnes enters. Andujar flies out, Stanton flies out. Up comes Torres. Torres drills it to CF for a 421 foot no doubt walkoff HR!! Yankees win in 10 5-4!
You have to wonder what Betts was thinking, you just don’t make the final out at third in that situation. Big risk that wasn’t worth it.


The next 2 will feature Keuchel Vs Eovaldi and Happ Vs Sale before an off day. The draft is now only 4 days away.

[Sweatmonkey]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

For those getting lots of strikeouts, 1. What level, and 2. How?


Sent from my iPhone using Operation Sports

I play on dynamic and usually live in HOF difficulty. I’m admittedly not legend ready yet haha. But I can tell you from my perspective that the absolute biggest impacting element seems to be confidence! When it’s peaked everything seems to work as planned! When it’s down, well every pitch gets scary! Also if you haven’t noticed already, confidence does carry over through games to a degreee. And with relievers, if you don’t use a guy at all for a stretch, when you finally do they come in at half confidence at best. Not sure if this is as relevant on legend but maybe worth keeping tabs on

[DJ]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Still on my work trip (2 more days), but do have an annoincement: I am going to be decreasing the time spent playing my Mets franchise (Year 3, May 2020) and MLB The Show 19 for a while, in an effort to play games in my backlog.

[bjenks]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

I usually work high and in tight to power hitters. Or low and away to them with the breaking stuff

Sent from my SM-G965U using Operation Sports mobile app

Yeah, bury them in tight and then get them to fish away outside of the zone for the strike out is my best plan.

I have noticed that some hitters will adjust to what you've been doing to them in previous at-bats. I had struck out Kris Bryant on a slider low and away on two straight at bats, and on the third at bat, I got him down 0-2 and he blasted the low and away slider for a HR.

[bjenks]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Stream is about to go up guys. About to start a 6 game road trip in KC. Very poor start to August as I'm just 2-7 to start the month. Very important for me to get this month turned around in a hurry.

Current Record: 57-60

As always, link is in my sig! See you guys in there.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cards drop 2 of 3 to Pirates. 7 games out

The Cardinals dropped 2 of 3 in their weekend series with the Pirates and are now 7 games out of first. Once again, Cardinals pitching (Martinez and Reyes) were letdowns as Martinez did go 6 innings, but walks and homeruns plagued his start. Reyes only lasted 4 innings giving up 7 runs, 6 walks, and only 2 strikeouts. Tyler Lyons actually took the loss as the Cardinals fought back to tie the game at 8 before Josh Bell sent a ball into the right field corner, scoring Ke'Bryan Hayes from first with 2 outs in the 7th. Pirates wouldn't give up the 9-8 lead, as that was the final score.

Jack Flaherty was solid in his start going 7 strong innings, fanning 9 and leaving with a 5-1 lead. But the bullpen would blow up and let the game become tied. Adam Cimber was at the helm of the blow up. He pitched the 8th and walked Ke'Bryan Hayes, gave up a single to Alan Hanson, and then proceeded to let Andrew McCutchen plant one in the 2nd deck of left field to make it a 5-4 game. He only threw 9 pitches. The bullpen, which is exhausted, couldn't get loose fast enough. Trevor Rosenthal would blow the save in the the 9th thanks to an RBI single by O'Neill Cruz to tie the game at 5. The Cardinals would walk it off in the bottom of the 9th thanks to a Harrison Bader 2 run triple.

The Cardinals find themselves 7 games out of first place and just playing horrendous baseball right now. They are about to embark on a 7 game west coast trip to Arizona (3 games) and Colorado (4 games).

They need to turn things around and soon, or they could be looking at being sellers at the deadline for the first time in 6 years.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals and Twins Make Blockbuster Trade

The Cardinals and Twins have agreed to the first blockbuster trade of the 2022 season.

Twins Get:

SP - Alex Reyes
RP - Adam Cimber
2B - Bryan Ramirez (19 Yrs Old - A Pot - 75 OVR)

Cardinals Get:

SS - Ozzie Albies
RP - Antonie Kelly (LH) (18 Yrs Old - B Pot - 68 OVR)

The Cardinals were frustrated with Alex Reyes and his inability to repeat his 2021 season that resulted in him getting a 4 year $20M deal in the offseason. Cimber has struggled this year as well, but not to the level of Reyes. The Twins wanted him, the Cardinals countered, but nothing else worked, so the Cardinals agreed. Bryan Ramirez is a top prospect at 2B and a need of depth for the Twins.

The Twins signed Carlos Correra in the offseason thus putting Albies without a home. They have Nick Gordon and Marco Hernandez amongst others who were playing 2nd. Albies was rotating into the DH spot. Antoine Kelly was part of a deep relief pitching group the Twins have, that are within a year or two of being MLB ready.

In Ozzie Albies the Cardinals are getting their SS, or could be 2nd baseman, of the future providing they can lock him up. He does have one more year of control as he has one more year of arbitration left. The Cardinals though will most likely seek to sign him to a long term deal in the not so distant future.


Related Roster News

Since the acquisition of Albies and the departure of Reyes and Cimber, the Cardinals made the following moves:

Optioned 3B Yairo Munoz to Memphis. His spot was taken by Albies.

Recalled RP Zack Burdi from Memphis. He will take over the bullpen spot of Adam Cimber.

Recalled Miles Mikolas to take the rotation spot of Alex Reyes

When Kolten Wong returns in a day or so, the Cardinals will likely option Paul DeJong down to Memphis.

[bjenks]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals and Twins Make Blockbuster Trade

The Cardinals and Twins have agreed to the first blockbuster trade of the 2022 season.

Twins Get:

SP - Alex Reyes
RP - Adam Cimber
2B - Bryan Ramirez (19 Yrs Old - A Pot - 75 OVR)

Cardinals Get:

SS - Ozzie Albies
RP - Antonie Kelly (LH) (18 Yrs Old - B Pot - 68 OVR)

The Cardinals were frustrated with Alex Reyes and his inability to repeat his 2021 season that resulted in him getting a 4 year $20M deal in the offseason. Cimber has struggled this year as well, but not to the level of Reyes. The Twins wanted him, the Cardinals countered, but nothing else worked, so the Cardinals agreed. Bryan Ramirez is a top prospect at 2B and a need of depth for the Twins.

The Twins signed Carlos Correra in the offseason thus putting Albies without a home. They have Nick Gordon and Marco Hernandez amongst others who were playing 2nd. Albies was rotating into the DH spot. Antoine Kelly was part of a deep relief pitching group the Twins have, that are within a year or two of being MLB ready.

In Ozzie Albies the Cardinals are getting their SS, or could be 2nd baseman, of the future providing they can lock him up. He does have one more year of control as he has one more year of arbitration left. The Cardinals though will most likely seek to sign him to a long term deal in the not so distant future.


Related Roster News

Since the acquisition of Albies and the departure of Reyes and Cimber, the Cardinals made the following moves:

Optioned 3B Yairo Munoz to Memphis. His spot was taken by Albies.

Recalled RP Zack Burdi from Memphis. He will take over the bullpen spot of Adam Cimber.

When Kolten Wong returns in a day or so, the Cardinals will likely option Paul DeJong down to Memphis.

Love this trade. Nice move.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 19 Franchise Discussion Thread

Still on my work trip (2 more days), but do have an annoincement: I am going to be decreasing the time spent playing my Mets franchise (Year 3, May 2020) and MLB The Show 19 for a while, in an effort to play games in my backlog.

Those games will be there in the offseason.