MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Congrats CB on getting that elusive World Series championship.
And man, what a way to do it, coming back from down 3-0.

Thanks man. I have been telling everyone...LOL!

That's the beauty of baseball in that, during this series, we couldn't hit or get out of our own way in the first three games and then the series did a 180 and the White Sox couldn't get timely hits and their pitching fell apart and we capitalized.

Also, in the later games (6&7 most notably) Nolan Gorman got hot and was a key in our offense turning things around. I also think I made a good decision (yes patting myself on the back) by adding C.J. McElroy to the lineup as the RF and moving Bleday to DH. Bleday is a good defender, just slow footed, so some singles turned into doubles early in the series due to him not being fast enough to cut balls off in the gap.

I honestly didn't think we'd come back from 3-0. Winning Game 4 didn't really change that narrative, but after winning Game 5 and us hitting the ball better and the pitching and defense settling in, I really started thinking we have a chance to do something special.

I actually went into Game 7 with the thought that this is our series to lose given how well we were playing at the time. Jumping out early gave me even more confidence, stopping the rally in the 5th from carrying over to 6th and 7th innings really helped and the 6 run outburst in the 9th was unforeseen but damn did it feel good having an 8 run lead, needing just 3 outs in Game 7 of the World Series to clinch the championship.

Now time to get into the offseason and make sure we put a team together that can defend this title and possibly go back to back.

[DJ]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals are the 2026 World Series Champions!

The Cardinals have done the improbable of coming all the way back from a 3-0 series deficit in the World Series, to clinch their 12th World Series Championship!!!

The Cardinals got off early in Game 7 against Michael Kopech taking an early 2-0 lead in the 2nd inning with Bader and Franco driving in back to back runs to put the Cards up.

In the 4th, Harrison Bader would deliver a 2 out RBI that made it 3-0 Cardinals and they would get another run in the 5th when Yoan Moncada delivered a solo shot into the right field seats to make it 4-0.

But the White Sox would fight back in the bottom of the 5th, as Junior Fernandez was touched up for back to back 2 out homeruns by Zack Collins and Logan Sowers. Brandon Workman came in to get Delvin Perez to pop out to end the threat.

The Cardinals would use Dakota Hudson in the 6th to get through the inning and then turned to Corey Littrell to pitch the 7th to get Sheets, Collins and Sowers. He would walk Sowers that would bring the tying run to the plate, but he struck out Delvin Perez to end the threat.

He would start the 8th against Ben Gamel and get Gamel to ground out to Nolan Gorman. With the top of the lineup coming up next, the Cardinals turned to Zach Burdi who would strikeout Madrigal and Engel to get the game to the 9th.

The Cardinals got Roberto Osuna up to take the ball with a 2 run lead and facing the heart of the White Sox lineup (Reyes, Pedersen, and Sheets), but the Cardinals offense took the pressure off, exploding for 6 runs in the top of the 9th to push the lead to 8 runs, capped off by a grand slam by Andrew Knizner.

Roberto Osuna would get Reyes to pop out, but then Pedersen singled to left. Osuna got Sheets to pop out to Gorman and then Zack Collins to pop out to Brendan McKay to clinch the Cardinals 12th World Series title and their first since 2011.

J.J. Bleday was named World Series and NL Postseason MVP. He hit .407 with 2 homeruns and 4 RBI's in the World Series and .365 with 3 homeruns and 7 RBI's in the postseason.

Up next is the offseason as the Cardinals have a few decisions to make as they for the first time in 15 years, will be the defending World Series Champions!

2026 World Series: Cardinals win 4-3

Yes!!!! Finally, CB gets to hoist the World Series trophy! Honestly, this is one of the best pieces of news to come home to after a long week. And to rally back from a 3-0 deficit? Makes it even sweeter.

Hope you take a few days to savor this before starting up the next season.

[Jayyoungjr]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Jay’s Cubs Wrap Up: 2023

World Series Game 4

After having a night to think it over the Cubs decided to go with Yu Darvish for game 4 and Puk will be ready to start game 5. The Cubs wanted a veteran on the bump and felt that the right hander would switch it up after the Angels pummelled the left handed Marquez the night before. LA got things going in the 2nd as he led off with a home run as he was a hard out throughout the World Series. The Cubs struck back in the 4th as Kyle Schwarber drew the walk and Ian Happ homered them both home to go up 2-1. The Cubs would add 2 more in the 4th as Baez plated a pair of runs.

Darvish was stellar in the game as he went 7 innings giving up just 3 hits and striking out 6. The Cubs had made it know then are moving on from the Japanese star at the end of this season; in what will likely be his last start as a Cub Darvish will be able to say he went out giving his best. Darvish ultimately would give up 2 runs in his outing as Nick Gordon closed the gap in the 7th with a solo home run. Making it 4-2 In the 8th Kyle Ryan as the Cubs also moved Reyes to left for Schwarber while Brennan Davis came in to play center. Ryan found himself in trouble as he gave up a single to Rutchsman and Jones singled to put runners at first and 3rd. Ryan was able to get Dickerson to pop up and the slow footed Rutuchsman would not test Davis’ arm. After getting out the Cubs would have Ryan walk Trout to load the bases and have a force at every base and bring in Carl Edwards Jr to face Rendon. Edwards was able to strike the 3rd basemen out on a curveball looking. Edwards continued perfection as he capped off his 11th inning of perfect postseason play getting Tucker to strike out swinging.

In the 9th Kris Bryant started the rally by getting on with a single and was relieved by Velaquez to add speed to the base paths. Mariano was able to easily steal 2nd. Rizzo was up next and drew the walk. With no outs and runners at 1st and 2nd Contreras took out his frustration of not performing to his level by knocking in a run on a double that rolled past Trout. The Cubs had the lead with runners at 3rd and 2nd but couldn’t add anymore as the score stood at 5-2 Clase was in for the 9th and Aguilar would start the inning with a solo home run to right field to cut the lead to 2 runs. The Cubs manager stayed on the bench and let his closer work rather than going to the mound and Clase was able to go to work getting Gordon to chase a slider for the first out. Jo addell missed a pitch in the zone and grounded out. Rutchsman would be the last hope for the Angels and fought back after getting down 0-2 to make it 2-2 but ultimately lost the batter as he harmlessly flew out to Brennan Davis in center. The Cubs win Game 4 5-3 and Chicago will have a chance to close out the 2023 season on halloween night. AJ Puk will face off against Ohtani.



Cubs/Angels Set for Halloween Baseball in Game 5


The Angels will look to keep their season alive and send the series back to Chicago and would have to get past AJ Puk and the Cubs to do that. Los Angeles two way player Shohei Ohtani would be their hope in game 5. Ohtani has played sparingly in the World Series as the Cubs have a lefty heavy rotation. Ohtanie has pitched 10 innings of ball in the post season and has a ERA over 5 and would need a good start if the Angels would fight off elimination.

Things did not go well for Ohtani as Rizzo would take him yard in the 1st as the Cubs jumped to the early lead. In the bottom half of the 1st inning Puk was able to get 2 quick outs but struggled with the heart of the order. Mike Trout jumped on a 00 pitch and got on base for a double. The Cubs decided early in game they would not let the combo of Trout/Rendon victimize them as they had in game 2 & 3 and chose to walk Rendon. The plan was fruitful as Dickerson hit a popper to shallow right but Hoerner was able to unhook the trailer to run down the ball for an out.

In the 3rd Puk was up against it again as he had to battle the top of the line up, Jones and Simmons got on early with a walk and a single. With Mike Trout up Puk looked to have the advantage as he got him to a 0-2 count but could not put him away as future HOF worked a full count in a 11 pitch affair. With the runners in motion Trout lined a single that would score 1and land him on first and Simmons at 3rd. The Cubs again intentionally walked Rendon but Dickerson was able to come through as he hit a ball deep enough to right to allow the runner to tag to make it 2-1. Jo Addell kept the train moving as he storched a double to left for an RBI. The Puk was able to get out of the inning but the damage had been done as he gave up 4 hits and 3 runs in the inning. The Angels kept adding to their lead in the 4th and Will Meyers solo’d to right field.

The Cubs were down 4-1 in the 6. Ohtani had given up hits but just the 1 run and ended the day striking out 9 in 5 innings of work. Ohtani started to lose control as he lead off the 6th hitting Anthony Rizzo to set up a 2 run home run by Contreras to cut the lead to 1. Javy baez got on base with a double but Schwarber could only advance him as he flew out to deep right field and Happ struck out. Colas was able to come through with a soft liner down the first base line that would allow Baez to tie the game up.

The score would hold at 4’s apiece until the 9th inning when Javy was able to draw the walk on a 3-2 count that spelled trouble. With no outs Ian Happ put the Icing on what would be a World Series MVP as he smacked a double that would give the Cubs the lead as Baez hustled home; Dickerson was able to field the ball before Trout could get there and in the end there would be no throw to the plate as Baez scored with ease.
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The Cubs would not be done yet as Oscar Colas atoned for his struggles at the plate as he lined a ball just past the infield and the ball deaden before Trout could get to it to make it 6-2. Victor Reyes walked to put men at 2nd and 1st. Nico Hoerner would allow the Cubs to add one more as he took the count to 3-2 and hit a floater to right that landed and scored another with the runners on the move. The Cubs would entrust Clase with a 7-4 lead. The Angels would have the top of thee order up as faced being 3 outs from elimination. Clase made quick work of Jahmai Jones and he struck out looking at a 101 cutter that was up in the zone. Simmons didn’t fare much better as he flew out. Mike Trout would be their last hope. Trout would take a 100 cutter for a strike on the first pitch. On the second pitch he could only foul off the fastball that was high and away. Down to the last strike Clase threw a slider down and away that Trout could only get a piece of. The ball bounced at the plate and stayed fair. Contreras was able to get to ball and made a tough throw as he was moving away from the bag but was able to nail Trout at first. CUBS WIN CUBS WIN CUBS win.
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Chicago took game 5 with the late inning rally 7-4 to win the series in LA 4 games to 1. The win caps off a 3 peat for the Cubs becoming only the 5th team to win 3 consecutive championships and the last since the Yankees did it in 1998-2000. Ian Happ was awarded the World Series MVP as he hit over .400 in the series and drove in the run to take the lead in the 9th. After their championship in ‘16 the Cubs looked prime to be a dynasty but that dream looked to be stamped out after struggling in the late 2010’s and a bad loss in the NLDS in 2020. The front office decided to roll the dice and keep the team intact and it has been more prolific than they could have imagined. They will revel in their win but some tough decisions will need to be made if they are to do what only one other team has done - win 4 straight championships.

Regular Season Stats;
Bryant - .295/37Hr/73RBI/115R
Rizzo - .255/27HR/73RBI
Schwarber - 274/43Hr/93RBI
Contreras - 319/44Hr/99rbi
Baez - .303/25Hr/85 RBI

Darvish 13-9 4.25 147k/162i
Colas 14-2 3.10 ERA 156k/151i
Hendricks 13-4 2.56 129k/179i
Marquez 15-5 3.18 201k175.1i
Puk 10-4 2.81era 179k178.1k
Class 72app 83.1i 44s 10BS 191k

Cubs MiLB Position Player of the year - Mariano Velaquez - lead AA in stolen bases hit over .300 called up for postseason run.
Cubs MiLB Pitcher of the year - Freddy Mendoza, lead AA in saves posted 0.80 ERA.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

I'm normally more active in this thread, but I had a hard time getting started with this game. Restarted at least half a dozen times trying to find the right settings/sliders for me.

A couple of months ago, I finally settled on something. Nearly every game has been a battle and my stats have never been better. But I almost always pulled out the win in the end. Just seemed like I always got that timely hit where the CPU couldn't. So I took my Braves into San Francisco with a 34-10 record (second best in the league behind the Dodgers) to face a Giants team with an NL worst 11-34 record. And, of course, they swept me. Baseball.

[SirManBoy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

So is this thread more of a franchise diary discussion? It would be cool if there a thread dedicated to franchise management tips. I’d start one myself, but I guess you don’t get thread creation credentials until you’ve been here a while.

[GainzBro]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

So is this thread more of a franchise diary discussion? It would be cool if there a thread dedicated to franchise management tips. I’d start one myself, but I guess you don’t get thread creation credentials until you’ve been here a while.

I have come here to ask for franchise management tips and they sometimes get a response but it seems this thread is more of a news page.

Sent from my LGMP260 using Operation Sports mobile app

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals have busy and choice filled offseason ahead

Fresh off their 12th World Series Championship, the Cardinals will head into the offseason with some big decisions to make in regards to how this roster will look in the 2027 season, and also, who will be running the show.

The Cardinals entire managerial staff had their contracts expire after the 2026 season. Its expected that the Cardinals will look to retain Mike Matheny as manager as well as David Barnswell at hitting coach, Craig Counsell as 3rd base coach, and Omar Canon as first base coach. Pitching coach Mike Stewart decided to retire after the season.

The Cardinals then have some roster decisions to make in terms of what they do with an outfield that has 4 legit starters, given that Juan Fabregas will be returning from injury. Eddie Ortiz had an amazing year at the plate and J.J. Bleday was the NL postseason and World Series MVP. Harrison Bader is your centerfielder and I don't see that changing.

Yoan Moncada let it be known that he's not happy with his contract and while it was kept under wraps during their World Series run, it has been a distraction within the organization and clubhouse. There is a chance the Cardinals will move Moncada in hopes of adding back depth to their pitching staff.

Speaking of pitching staff, the Cardinals will likely move Josh Rogers who had a horrendous second half of the season and even worse postseason. The Cardinals signed the 30 year old lefty to a 4 year $32MM deal last offseason, but I don't expect this relationship to last past this offseason. Rogers still has a market due to being left handed, so expect the Cardinals to try and make something happen.

The primary goal this offseason is to rebuild the depth of the pitching staff. The Cardinals did part of that via the draft and part by trade last year, but more needs to be done. The relief staff really needs quality depth as the Cardinals had few options they felt comfortable with turning to during the regular season to pitch at the major league level.

You can expect your 2027 Cardinals roster to look very similar to this year's team with maybe a change or two. Contracts are favorable for the Cardinals with most of their core players so nothing to address in that regard.

As always each team has a plan for their offseason until they see how the landscape lays out in regards to free agents and trades.

[TheWarmWind]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

So is this thread more of a franchise diary discussion? It would be cool if there a thread dedicated to franchise management tips. I’d start one myself, but I guess you don’t get thread creation credentials until you’ve been here a while.

Yeah we get a lot of "new members" that are actually just spam bots. The mods are good about clearing them out quickly, but obviously you don't want them making threads.

As for guides, we have a few, it's just that they tend to get buried eventually as people get what they need from them and the discussion ends, whereas in this thread the discussion is never ending so it's almost always front page.

I've written a couple of guides myself:

https://forums.operationsports.com/forums/mlb-show/907904-directional-hitting-guide.html

https://forums.operationsports.com/forums/mlb-show/971990-contract-roster-management-guide.html

Other than that, if you had a specific question, feel free to ask it in here or in the Q & A section. Most of the time, if you don't get an answer, it's either because the thread moved too quickly or people don't know. PS the Q & A is currently moving a little slower than this one, and there are quite a few veterans (including myself) who keep an eye on it.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals and Mike Matheny agree to new 4 year deal

The Cardinals and Mike Matheny have agreed to a new 4 year deal that will keep the Cardinals skipper in St.Louis through the 2030 season.

Matheny who led the Cardinals to their 12th World Series Championship last season, will begin his 16th season as the Cardinals manager starting next season.

Cardinals and Michael Wacha agree to one year deal

The Cardinals and veteran Michael Wacha have agreed to a one year $8MM deal that will bring the 35 year old back to St.Louis. Wacha was key in the 2nd half of the season last year helping stabilize a struggling starting pitching staff and helping lead the Cardinals to the NL Central Division championship.

Wacha only pitched in one postseason game before re-injuring his shoulder. Wacha will get a chance to compete for a starting rotation job, but is willing to pitch out of the pen if needed.

[Caulfield]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

So is this thread more of a franchise diary discussion? It would be cool if there a thread dedicated to franchise management tips. I’d start one myself, but I guess you don’t get thread creation credentials until you’ve been here a while.

find 10 threads that are interesting to you and post something that adds value to the conversation and you could be starting threads within an hour

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Cardinals re-sign Paul DeJong to one year deal

The Cardinals and Paul DeJong have reached an agreement on a one year deal that will pay the 33 year old $5MM for the year.

DeJong was a bench player that was the primary DH when playing in American League parks last year. He hit .261 with 8 homeruns and 41 RBI's in his limited play.

He's expected to play a similar role this year.

Cardinals re-sign Brooks Kriske to minor league deal

The Cardinals have re-signed RHP Brooks Kriske to a minor league deal worth $850k. The 29 year old pitched in both AA and AAA last season for the Cardinals organization and was solid at both levels. Kriske is expected to be depth for this club again this year as they look to re-build the depth of their pitching staff.

There's no guarantee that Kriske will reach Spring Training camp with the Cardinals as he is currently on the 40 man roster but its likely as the offseason progresses, he will be sent to waivers as he is removed from the 40 man to make room for another player.

[Rocket32]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

So is this thread more of a franchise diary discussion? It would be cool if there a thread dedicated to franchise management tips. I’d start one myself, but I guess you don’t get thread creation credentials until you’ve been here a while.

I would say it’s both. There’s definitely more people in here that post about their franchise progress then there is people coming in here to ask questions about franchise, but if you have any questions feel free to post them in here too. It there’s no reply then the Q&A thread is a good place to post it too.

If it’s one I can help with I try to reply to questions asked in here sometimes. 99% sure I remember countryboy doing the same sometimes too. Can’t speak for anyone else though, but there’s definitely people that regularly post in here who will reply to your question if they see it.

[Caulfield]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

I would say it’s both. There’s definitely more people in here that post about their franchise progress then there is people coming in here to ask questions about franchise, but if you have any questions feel free to post them in here too. It there’s no reply then the Q&A thread is a good place to post it too.

If it’s one I can help with I try to reply to questions asked in here sometimes. 99% sure I remember countryboy doing the same sometimes too. Can’t speak for anyone else though, but there’s definitely people that regularly post in here who will reply to your question if they see it.

yep.


I've had ?'s over the years I wanted feedback from franchise guys and I'd say at least 75% of the time I'll get responses. but mostly I like reading through the franchise discussion to see how others experience is going. 99% of the time I don't have anything to post so I don't.




I will say this, I'm surprised to hear cb is going for back-to-back championships. I figured he'd retire this franchise now and start up a current roster one. that's the great thing about these carry-overs, you can finally become fully invested playing multiple multiple seasons over different iterations of the Show

[TheWarmWind]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

yep.


I've had ?'s over the years I wanted feedback from franchise guys and I'd say at least 75% of the time I'll get responses. but mostly I like reading through the franchise discussion to see how others experience is going. 99% of the time I don't have anything to post so I don't.




I will say this, I'm surprised to hear cb is going for back-to-back championships. I figured he'd retire this franchise now and start up a current roster one. that's the great thing about these carry-overs, you can finally become fully invested playing multiple multiple seasons over different iterations of the Show

Makes you really stop and think too. I'm in spring training and I'm agonizing over contract extensions. The potential for you to be stuck for literal years with a bad contract is very frightening. I've managed to dodge some major bullets, but it's scary every time you make a big deal.

I just signed my 1B to a 5 year extension @ 19.5 million a year, absorbing 1 arbitration year for some savings in the other 4. If his trends hold, that will be a huge, team friendly contract for my team. If he busts though...

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

[GainzBro]

Re: MLB The Show 20 Franchise Discussion Thread

Makes you really stop and think too. I'm in spring training and I'm agonizing over contract extensions. The potential for you to be stuck for literal years with a bad contract is very frightening. I've managed to dodge some major bullets, but it's scary every time you make a big deal.

I just signed my 1B to a 5 year extension @ 19.5 million a year, absorbing 1 arbitration year for some savings in the other 4. If his trends hold, that will be a huge, team friendly contract for my team. If he busts though...

Sent from my Pixel 3 using Operation Sports mobile app

This aspect of running a franchise can be some of the most fun one will have playing the Show.

Sent from my LGMP260 using Operation Sports mobile app