I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

[Therebelyell626]

Title says it all. I feel like the CPU is trying to "nibble" a bit too much, especially in situations where they really need to come back in the zone. I am averaging more walks this year by a large margin, and I have never been a patient hitter lol. Does anyone else notice the CPU being a little to reluctant to pitch to contact?

[countryboy]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

My experience is no. I'd say its essentially the same as its been in year's past. I did have a game where I drew 14 walks against the Braves, but I've also gone games where I've walked maybe once or twice (I don't believe I have a zero walk game) and struck out multiple times.

I haven't noticed any difference in the cpu pitching pattern in '19 versus '18 using the same settings.

[Therebelyell626]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

My experience is no. I'd say its essentially the same as its been in year's past. I did have a game where I drew 14 walks against the Braves, but I've also gone games where I've walked maybe once or twice (I don't believe I have a zero walk game) and struck out multiple times.

I haven't noticed any difference in the cpu pitching pattern in '19 versus '18 using the same settings.

You drew 14 walks?!?! Jeeze that's the definition of patience CB lol. Most I have got this year is 4 and I thought I was being more patient then ever.

I did have the CPU issue a bases loaded walk in two out of three games last night. That's what got me thinking this way. I felt maybe he should have pitched to contact and got the out. Wasn't even a great hitter at the plate.

[bcruise]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I actually agree to some extent on this, but it didn't start this year. What happens is that I feel like there are a ton of 2-0, 3-0, 3-1 counts when I'm willing to just sit back and take pitches. There is a trackable stat in this game comparable to one in real life which can kind of illustrate this - First pitch strikes on the pitcher analysis. They're almost always below a pitcher's average in real life in my games.

What I think is going on is that in real life, hitters are swinging at more pitches than they used to - including ones that are not strikes. Meanwhile, in the game I'm still able to read ball and strike a lot easier, even on Legend difficulty. So my chase rate is very, very low compared to what happens in real life. As such, I don't strike out very much, either.

I've solved both of these problems for myself by raising the strike frequency slider - maxing it, actually. It only affects early counts and it forces me to be more proactive on those pitches, and swing if they look like they're going to be strikes. Otherwise I'll end up in a lot of 2-strike counts, which naturally lead to strikeouts. And yes, with the slider maxed I can still take walks. Once the count gets past the early counts (0-0, 0-1, 1-0, 1-1), that slider doesn't affect the AI's decisions to throw a ball or strike.

[ryanmc564]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I seem to walk a lot more this year than any years prior. (hitting or pitching) One game I had 7 of my batters reached base by walks which is highly unsual for me, since I sometimes fall in the habit of swinging at everything from time to time. The pitching and batting interface seem to be way more realistic year.

[countryboy]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

You drew 14 walks?!?! Jeeze that's the definition of patience CB lol. Most I have got this year is 4 and I thought I was being more patient then ever.

I did have the CPU issue a bases loaded walk in two out of three games last night. That's what got me thinking this way. I felt maybe he should have pitched to contact and got the out. Wasn't even a great hitter at the plate.

Yes.

I haven't come close since....LOL

Like I said, the pitching pattern(s) don't seem any different to me than they were in last year's game, but that doesn't mean they aren't. I do seem to be able to get into more deeper counts, but I think its due to me not chasing as many pitches this year, which in turn I equate to the fact that off-speed pitches aren't as effective this year as they have been in the past.

I haven't looked deep into it because I didn't notice anything that much different.

[Therebelyell626]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I may try bcruz slider adjustments. It just feels like I am constantly in 3-0 3-1 and 3-2 counts, and usually the 3-2 counts are only because I fouled a couple off

[countryboy]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I may try bcruz slider adjustments. It just feels like I am constantly in 3-0 3-1 and 3-2 counts, and usually the 3-2 counts are only because I fouled a couple off

I'll be curious to hear what your experience is with bcruise's sliders after a few games. If obtaining walks becomes too much, I may look (gasp..I don't like messing with sliders) into making this change myself.

[bcruise]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I know CB plays on Legend, but what difficulty do you play on rebel?

Part of the reason I make that change is to counter the effect of the higher difficulties throwing more pitches out of the strike zone - its intent is to make you chase more often and get yourself out, and when you don't you'll draw walks.

If you're on All-Star or below this might not work as well because the CPU tends to come over the plate more often on the lower difficulties. In that case raising the strike frequency might actually kill your walks entirely.

[Therebelyell626]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I know CB plays on Legend, but what difficulty do you play on rebel?

Part of the reason I make that change is to counter the effect of the higher difficulties throwing more pitches out of the strike zone - its intent is to make you chase more often and get yourself out, and when you don't you'll draw walks.

If you're on All-Star or below this might not work as well because the CPU tends to come over the plate more often on the lower difficulties. In that case raising the strike frequency might actually kill your walks entirely.

After being stuck on veteran for a while (dynamic difficulty) I've finally worked my way up to all star plus. Could be why I am getting weaker contact on squared up good hits. Come to think of it, the walk issues actually started becoming prevelant when I got bumped to all star so could be the reason I am seeing them nibble a bit more. Also I noticed when I moved up to all star the umps started getting a bit more generous to pitches outside of the zone for the CPU

[TheWarmWind]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

Personally I like the pitching strategy this year. Way less meatballs for the sake of a strike.

I did find out that on my difficulty level the CPU needed a bit of a boost to control though. They just didn't have parity with my pitchers without it.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

[Drty_Windshield]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

Play on legend with maxed out pitch speeds which is pretty darn close to seeing a real pitch and tell me how many times a game you draw a walk.

[Therebelyell626]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

Play on legend with maxed out pitch speeds which is pretty darn close to seeing a real pitch and tell me how many times a game you draw a walk.

I will not do this. One because I already suck at this game. 2.) because that level of frustration would probably turn me into some kind of psycho.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I will not do this. One because I already suck at this game. 2.) because that level of frustration would probably turn me into some kind of psycho.

I will say though, if you're taking to many walks, you probably need to turn pitch speed up.

Unless all of those balls are well out of the zone, it does sound a little like your pitch recognition is too good.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

[Therebelyell626]

Re: I feel like the CPU is way to willing to issue walks this year

I will say though, if you're taking to many walks, you probably need to turn pitch speed up.

Unless all of those balls are well out of the zone, it does sound a little like your pitch recognition is too good.

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

It's on 4 right now, and that's already too fast for me. In my experience the CPU won't come into the zone until they are 3-0 or 3-1. It's very rare for me to get a pitch that's hittable on the first pitch