MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

[franch1se]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

The Regular season has came to an end and we finished with a record of 126-36.

Juan Soto won the National League MVP after hitting .306 with 66 HR's and 126 RBI's and a slash line of .397/.687/1.084.

Joe Musgrove was robbed of the Cy Young after finshing second with a record of 24-1 with a 2.22 ERA. The Cy Young went to Max Scherzer who finished 21-6 with a 2.54 ERA. He had 241 K's to Musgrove's 152 which had to have been the deciding factor.

Josh Hader won the Reliever of the Year Award with 56 Saves and a 1.46 ERA with 75 K's in 61.2 IP

Ha-Seong Kim won the second base Gold glove award, his first in his MLB career with a .998 fielding percentage with 192 PO and 401 assists.

The Padres took home the following Silver Slugger Awards:
3B - Manny Machado .299, 56 HR, 144 RBI!. .371/.634/.1.0004.
OF - Juan Soto .306, 66 HR, 126 RBI. .397/.687/1.084
OF - Fernando Tatis Jr. .250, 39 HR, 102 RBI. .332/.535/.868. Tatis also had 30 SB to join the 30/30 club.

SS Xander Bogaerts and 1B Matt Carpenter finished second.

Xander finished the year with a .313 avg and 15 HR's and 74 RBI.
Matt Carpenter finished hitting .295 with 45 HR's and 112 RBI.

Jake Cronenworth joined the Padres hitters in the 20 HR club hitting an even 20 and a .255 avg. Nelson Cruz went on a tear at the end of the year finishing hitting .272 with 13 HR's and 44 RBI and a slash line of .368/.455/.823.

We will take on the will be taking on the hated LA Dodgers who eliminated the Marlins in the 1 game playoff. Other playoff games are: CLE vs NYY, LAA vs HOU, NYM vs STL.

We will be throwing Joe Musgrove in game 1 vs Walker Buehler, Yu Darvish in game 2 vs Julio Urias, and Seth Lugo in game 3 vs Clayton Kershaw. Game 4 and 5 TBD if necessary with most likely Blake Snell going in game 4. Blake struggled to end the season but a trusted arm by manager Bob Melvin.

[franch1se]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

<center>NLDS RECAP: Games 1-3</center>

GAME 1: Los Angeles 4 San Diego 1
W: Buehler (1-0)
L: Musgrove (0-1)
S: Treinen (1)

The Dodgers came in and took game 1 in San Diego handing Musgrove as many losses as he did in the regular season. The Padres jumped out to 1-0 lead after a Tucker Barnhardt Home run in the third inning. That was all the offense we were able to turn out as the team only had 3 hits the entire game. Buehler shut us down adding 8 k's in 7 IP and no walks.

GAME 2: Los Angeles 0 San Diego 4
W: Darvish (1-0)
L: Urias (0-1)

The boys were able to bounce back shutting out the Dodgers behind 2 Manny Machado HR's. Jake Cronenworth added a 2 run HR in the 8th inning for extra insurance. A big note during this game, Matt Carpenter got injured diving for a ball while playing first base in the very first inning. He was replaced by Jake Cronenworth who proved clutch in the 8th inning. Yu Darvish threw 7 scoreless innings while the lethal back end of the pen of Robert Suarez and Josh Hader shut down the boys in blue in the 8th and 9th inning. We now travel to LA.

GAME 3: San Diego 4 Los Angeles 2
W: Martinez (1-0)
L: Kershaw (1-1)
S: Hader (1)

The Padres came in to LA and took back home field advantage powered by more Manny power. Machado hit his 3rd home run on the post season and was joined in the HR club by Nelson Cruz who also hit a solo HR while going 2-3 in the game and hitting .571 this post season. Ha-Seong Kim also went 2-3 with an RBI and is 4-8 in the post season. Seth Lugo started the game but was only able to go 4 innings. Nick Martinez thew 3 scoreless innings in relief while Suarez and Hader came in for the 8th and 9th.

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

I just did a quick update to my spreadsheet, updating the standings and league news. Some key injurires have occured to Bo Bichette, Max Fried, Jacob deGrom and blossoming star Jose Miranda. Some teams that started out hot in April are cooling off, most notably the Pirates; who were in first place at the end of April and are now one game below .500.

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Washington Nationals

The Dodgers (21-17) come to Washington to complete the season series between the two teams. The Nationals traveled to LA in April and took three of four from the Dodgers. Not much has changed for LA, their offense is strong, but the pitching has been lackluster.

Game 1: Tyler Anderson (4-2, 2.08) vs Josiah Gray (4-2, 2.76) The Nationals took the lead in the first on a Brandon Drury solo home run, but the Dodgers responded in the third when Cody Bellinger drove in Chris Taylor, and Mookie Betts doubled to score Bellinger and Trea Turner. There would be no more scoring until the seventh, although both teams had opportunities. Gavin Lux broke the drought with a two out infield single that scored Trea Turner. The Dodgers added two more runs when Chris Taylor drove in Will Smith in the eighth and Freddie Freeman drove in Bellinger in the ninth . Gleyber Torres hit a solo home but the damage had been done, and the Dodgers walked away with the easy W.

Game 2: Dustin May (2-0, 4.07) vs Zach Davies (1-4, 3.98) Washington was able to load the bases in the first, but couldn’t get anything out of it. Gavin Lux left in the second after making a nice diving stop*, and was replaced by Jorbit Vivas. There wasn’t much action until the bottom of the fifth, when Luis Garcia hit a two out double to score CJ Abrams. Yadiel Hernandez followed that up with a two-run home run. Dustin May started out great, but his pitches began to flatten out as the Nationals stayed patient and were able to force him to throw a lot of pitches. He would get out of the fifth but that would be the end of his day as he was nearing 90 pitches. Zach Davies would go 8 full innings of shutout ball, giving up four hits, no walks (he has still not given up a walk this year) and four strikeouts. Trevor Rosenthal would come in and get the save after giving up two walks and two strikeouts.

*Gavin Lux was taken out for precautionary reasons and is expected to play tomorrow.

Game 3: Julio Urias (2-2, 1.99) vs Cade Cavalli (3-2, 3.57) Cavalli and Urias matched each other through seven innings of shutout ball. Cavalli was pulled after seven innings, giving up just two hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. The Dodgers would end the shutout with two down in the eighth, when Trea Turner singled off of Kyle Finnegan. He then stole second and scored on a Gavin Lux single. They would add on in the ninth, when Will Smith hit a two run home run off Finnegan. Julio Urias would go eight full, giving up four hits, a walk and punching out five. Blake Treinen would come in and get the save for the Dodgers, who take the series 2-1 but lose the season series 4-2.

The Nationals (21-19) will go to Cincinnati for three games against the Reds (12-29).

[bryanm1982]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Washington Nationals

The Dodgers (21-17) come to Washington to complete the season series between the two teams. The Nationals traveled to LA in April and took three of four from the Dodgers. Not much has changed for LA, their offense is strong, but the pitching has been lackluster.

Game 1: Tyler Anderson (4-2, 2.08) vs Josiah Gray (4-2, 2.76) The Nationals took the lead in the first on a Brandon Drury solo home run, but the Dodgers responded in the third when Cody Bellinger drove in Chris Taylor, and Mookie Betts doubled to score Bellinger and Trea Turner. There would be no more scoring until the seventh, although both teams had opportunities. Gavin Lux broke the drought with a two out infield single that scored Trea Turner. The Dodgers added two more runs when Chris Taylor drove in Will Smith in the eighth and Freddie Freeman drove in Bellinger in the ninth . Gleyber Torres hit a solo home but the damage had been done, and the Dodgers walked away with the easy W.

Game 2: Dustin May (2-0, 4.07) vs Zach Davies (1-4, 3.98) Washington was able to load the bases in the first, but couldn’t get anything out of it. Gavin Lux left in the second after making a nice diving stop*, and was replaced by Jorbit Vivas. There wasn’t much action until the bottom of the fifth, when Luis Garcia hit a two out double to score CJ Abrams. Yadiel Hernandez followed that up with a two-run home run. Dustin May started out great, but his pitches began to flatten out as the Nationals stayed patient and were able to force him to throw a lot of pitches. He would get out of the fifth but that would be the end of his day as he was nearing 90 pitches. Zach Davies would go 8 full innings of shutout ball, giving up four hits, no walks (he has still not given up a walk this year) and four strikeouts. Trevor Rosenthal would come in and get the save after giving up two walks and two strikeouts.

*Gavin Lux was taken out for precautionary reasons and is expected to play tomorrow.

Game 3: Julio Urias (2-2, 1.99) vs Cade Cavalli (3-2, 3.57) Cavalli and Urias matched each other through seven innings of shutout ball. Cavalli was pulled after seven innings, giving up just two hits, two walks, and six strikeouts. The Dodgers would end the shutout with two down in the eighth, when Trea Turner singled off of Kyle Finnegan. He then stole second and scored on a Gavin Lux single. They would add on in the ninth, when Will Smith hit a two run home run off Finnegan. Julio Urias would go eight full, giving up four hits, a walk and punching out five. Blake Treinen would come in and get the save for the Dodgers, who take the series 2-1 but lose the season series 4-2.

The Nationals (21-19) will go to Cincinnati for three games against the Reds (12-29).

Tough series but the Nats hung in there and made it a good series.

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Tough series but the Nats hung in there and made it a good series.

For sure! Part of it was user error (swinging at pitches I had on business swinging at) but there were hard hit balls that found gloves and some bad calls by the umps. But honestly, the Nats played the Dodgers really well this year. The Dodgers are still one of the best teams in the National League despite having a rough year pitching-wise, and it's still early in the year. I can live with these results. Heck, I'm just happy with the progress this team has made so far.

[LowerWolf]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

After a mini two-game sweep of the Rays, we took two of the three from the Red Sox in Boston to move back into a tie for first with the Nationals. We're 26-13 in late May of 2023. Our road trip continues with three games in Philadelphia against the third-place Phillies and then three in DC with the Nats.

We'd be in better shape but Nick Anderson and Diego Castillo have developed the propensity to surrender long balls at the worst time. I think I've given up four or five walkoff homers this year.

Freddie Freeman has finally woken up. After a dreadful start to the season, he's got his average back to .239 and he leads the team in homers (16) and RBIs (29). Austin Riley's breakout season continues with a line of .306/12/27. Need to get Michael Harris going. He's having a tough rookie year at .217/2/10.

We continue to tinker with the bench. I acquired Thairo Estrada back in the 2021 season but left him in Gwinnett the entire time. Traded Leury Garcia to the Reds to open a spot for Estrada on the big-league club. We also acquired Steven Duggar from the Giants and sent Kyle Seager to Gwinnett. Seager was 0-for-12 as a pinch hitter, so we're hoping some AAA at-bats will get him going.

Edit: Looking through some of the roster moves ... the Cubs sent Gregory Polanco to AA. Early in the 2021 season, Polanco was having a monster year for the Pirates. He ended up hitting .297 with 26 homers and 74 RBIs that year. He ended up signing with Toronto for 2022 but only appeared in 30 games. And now he's in AA. What a fall.

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Washington Nationals

The Nationals find themselves in Cincinnati to face the Reds, whom they just played a week ago.

Game 1: Stephen Strasburg (4-3, 2.12) vs Taijuan Walker (1-4, 3.38) Not much to say about this one. The Reds scored in the second when Jake Fraley singled, Jonathan India doubled, and Alejo Lopez grounded out to allow Fraley to score. The only other run in the game came in the sixth when Aaron Judge hit a solo bomb. The Nationals had kept him in check in the previous series, but he finally struck back in the first game in this series. Taijuan Walker kept the Nationals hitless for 6.1 innings, and would finally be knocked out with two outs in the ninth. Alexis Diaz came in to get the final out, and the Nationals were shutout on just three hits. Stephen Strasburg pitched well, giving up just five hits and two walks and striking out five, but he is the tough luck loser in this one.

Game 2: MacKenzie Gore (3-4, 4.40) vs Hunter Greene (2-4, 4.46) Jake Fraley hit a two run homer in the first to get the Reds out front, and that was the only scoring until the seventh, when Yadiel Hernandez hit a leadoff solo home run against Greene. The Nationals would then tie the game in the eighth when Lane Thomas struck out but was able to get all the way to second on a terrible throw by catcher Matheu Nelson that ended up in shallow right. Keibert Ruiz would then single to score Thomas. Nelson would redeem himself and then some as with two down and bases loaded in the ninth he roped a single to left center to give the Reds the walk-off win. Carl Edwards could not command his pitches, and gave up a two out double to Kyle Farmer before the Reds would bring in Aaron Judge as a pinch hitter. He would be intentionally walked, but then Edwards would walk Austin Wells before Nelson’s two out, two strike heroics. The Nationals offense remains cold, and they had chances but could not capitalize on them.

Game 3: Josiah Gray (4-3, 2.98) vs Nick Lodolo (2-5, 5.58) The Nationals scored in the first when Ildemaro Vargas and Joey Meneses doubled. Jake Fraley evened the score in the fourth with another home run. Jonathon India followed with a solo shot of his own. Kyle Farmer hit a two run double in the sixth and the Nationals could not find an answer. The baseball gods seem to have turned their back on the Nats, as even well-hit balls are finding gloves now. The Nationals rallied in the eighth and had the tying run at the plate but Jey Meneses struck out, making the Nationals 1-9 with runners in scoring position.

It was an ugly series for the Nationals, and their fans have the right to be concerned. The team played more like the '22 Nationals than the improved '23 team, and with a seventeen day stretch of games coming up, a cold streak is the last thing they need. They are now at 21-22, their first time being under .500 all season.

As for the Reds, they didn’t play particularly well, but they played much better than in their first series with the Nationals. Everything this team does this season will be torn apart and meticulously studied by writers across the country, so one can only guess that people will say this is where the Reds turn their season apart. It will be something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

The Nationals will now have an off day before traveling to Atlanta for three games, the beginning of a 17 day stretch of games that will take them from Atlanta to Washington to San Francisco and finally Phoenix before flying home again. There may need to be moves made as the bullpen will be taxed and the Nationals do not have a long arm on the roster. There are rumors that Enrique Hernandez may be sent to AAA due to his poor performance, but it remains to be seen.

[kinsmen7]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

2023 Washington Nationals

The Nationals find themselves in Cincinnati to face the Reds, whom they just played a week ago.

Game 1: Stephen Strasburg (4-3, 2.12) vs Taijuan Walker (1-4, 3.38) Not much to say about this one. The Reds scored in the second when Jake Fraley singled, Jonathan India doubled, and Alejo Lopez grounded out to allow Fraley to score. The only other run in the game came in the sixth when Aaron Judge hit a solo bomb. The Nationals had kept him in check in the previous series, but he finally struck back in the first game in this series. Taijuan Walker kept the Nationals hitless for 6.1 innings, and would finally be knocked out with two outs in the ninth. Alexis Diaz came in to get the final out, and the Nationals were shutout on just three hits. Stephen Strasburg pitched well, giving up just five hits and two walks and striking out five, but he is the tough luck loser in this one.

Game 2: MacKenzie Gore (3-4, 4.40) vs Hunter Greene (2-4, 4.46) Jake Fraley hit a two run homer in the first to get the Reds out front, and that was the only scoring until the seventh, when Yadiel Hernandez hit a leadoff solo home run against Greene. The Nationals would then tie the game in the eighth when Lane Thomas struck out but was able to get all the way to second on a terrible throw by catcher Matheu Nelson that ended up in shallow right. Keibert Ruiz would then single to score Thomas. Nelson would redeem himself and then some as with two down and bases loaded in the ninth he roped a single to left center to give the Reds the walk-off win. Carl Edwards could not command his pitches, and gave up a two out double to Kyle Farmer before the Reds would bring in Aaron Judge as a pinch hitter. He would be intentionally walked, but then Edwards would walk Austin Wells before Nelson’s two out, two strike heroics. The Nationals offense remains cold, and they had chances but could not capitalize on them.

Game 3: Josiah Gray (4-3, 2.98) vs Nick Lodolo (2-5, 5.58) The Nationals scored in the first when Ildemaro Vargas and Joey Meneses doubled. Jake Fraley evened the score in the fourth with another home run. Jonathon India followed with a solo shot of his own. Kyle Farmer hit a two run double in the sixth and the Nationals could not find an answer. The baseball gods seem to have turned their back on the Nats, as even well-hit balls are finding gloves now. The Nationals rallied in the eighth and had the tying run at the plate but Jey Meneses struck out, making the Nationals 1-9 with runners in scoring position.

It was an ugly series for the Nationals, and their fans have the right to be concerned. The team played more like the '22 Nationals than the improved '23 team, and with a seventeen day stretch of games coming up, a cold streak is the last thing they need. They are now at 21-22, their first time being under .500 all season.

As for the Reds, they didn’t play particularly well, but they played much better than in their first series with the Nationals. Everything this team does this season will be torn apart and meticulously studied by writers across the country, so one can only guess that people will say this is where the Reds turn their season apart. It will be something to keep an eye on as the season progresses.

The Nationals will now have an off day before traveling to Atlanta for three games, the beginning of a 17 day stretch of games that will take them from Atlanta to Washington to San Francisco and finally Phoenix before flying home again. There may need to be moves made as the bullpen will be taxed and the Nationals do not have a long arm on the roster. There are rumors that Enrique Hernandez may be sent to AAA due to his poor performance, but it remains to be seen.

Ouf. Tough luck. Saw yesterday that you had the Reds coming up, and figured you were guaranteed 2/3, if not a sweep.

Never like to count a team out in May, but that 17 game run that you've got coming up seems like it's probably make-or-break time.

Shock the world!

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Ouf. Tough luck. Saw yesterday that you had the Reds coming up, and figured you were guaranteed 2/3, if not a sweep.

Never like to count a team out in May, but that 17 game run that you've got coming up seems like it's probably make-or-break time.

Shock the world!

I thought the same thing, but it really looks like the Reds are ready to turn their season around. They went to Philly after that series and have taken the first two games there as well.

The good news for me is the second half of this long stretch of games is against San Francisco and Arizona, and San Fran has been slumping mightily as of late while Arizona hasn't figured out their season at all and is one of the worst teams in baseball. The first three series are more difficult and are in-division series, but if I can get this offense turned around I can come away looking pretty good.

Seriously loving this franchise either way.

[kinsmen7]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

I thought the same thing, but it really looks like the Reds are ready to turn their season around. They went to Philly after that series and have taken the first two games there as well.

The good news for me is the second half of this long stretch of games is against San Francisco and Arizona, and San Fran has been slumping mightily as of late while Arizona hasn't figured out their season at all and is one of the worst teams in baseball. The first three series are more difficult and are in-division series, but if I can get this offense turned around I can come away looking pretty good.

Seriously loving this franchise either way.

Yeah, I'm definitely jealous. I'm in the dog days of summer right now, and it's definitely feeling like a grind. We're *too* good right now (if that makes sense?). Good news is, I know that the playoffs are going to be really, really tough.

That being said, I've got 2 games before the allstar game, which is perfect timing since I head south for a week in a couple of days. Good chance to take a little break from the grind, and figure out what to do for trade deadline around the league.

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Yeah, I'm definitely jealous. I'm in the dog days of summer right now, and it's definitely feeling like a grind. We're *too* good right now (if that makes sense?). Good news is, I know that the playoffs are going to be really, really tough.

That being said, I've got 2 games before the allstar game, which is perfect timing since I head south for a week in a couple of days. Good chance to take a little break from the grind, and figure out what to do for trade deadline around the league.

Don't be jealous, remember I played every pitch of every game for a 56-106 team...but it does make sense to be bored of being too good. Maybe a break is just what you need to get back into it. And a lot can happen between now and the postseason, for better or worse.

[franch1se]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

<center>NLDS RECAP Games 4-5</center>

GAME 4: San Diego 1 Los Angeles 4
W: Noah Syndergaard (1-0)
L: Drew Pomeranz (0-1)
S: Blake Treinen (2)

The Padres got a good start behind SP Blake Snell who went 6 innings and gave up only 1 run with 6k's however the bullpen could not do their part, which is a rare thing to say given how good they were throughout the year with Drew Pomeranz giving up 2 runs in only .1 IP and Robert Suarez giving up 1 run in .2 IP. The Dodgers powered their way with 3 homeruns (Lux, Betts, Smith) to even the series and force a final game 5 which shifts back to Petco Park.

GAME 5: Los Angeles 0 San Diego 4
W: Joe Musgrove (1-1)
L: Walker Buehler (1-1)


Juan Soto, who struggled the entire series (0-16) prior to the game belted a Solo HR to start off the game and the team never looked back. The Padres received further support following a Manny Machado 2 run HR. Joe Musgrove dominated the game throwing 6.1 innings and allowing 0 runs with 4 Ks. Although not a save situation, the Padres went with their 7-8-9 combination of Nick Martinez, Robert Suarez, and Josh Hader to eliminate the Dodgers for the second straight season. The Padres now advance to the NLCS for the second straight year to take on the St. Loius Cardinals who eliminated the New York Mets.


ALCS will be the Yankees vs Astros.

[LegendKillerOne]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

Don't be jealous, remember I played every pitch of every game for a 56-106 team...but it does make sense to be bored of being too good. Maybe a break is just what you need to get back into it. And a lot can happen between now and the postseason, for better or worse.

That is my biggest hurdle is I lose interest fast if I feel like I am just going to win none stop and never lose

Even this upcoming year when I start a new franchise with the Mets. They are my favorite team. I have a roster that is expected to win 100 games and be in the series mix. but I still make sure i have settings that will not guarantee me the title every year. If I win the title every year with no shot to lose it I can not get into that at all. I see some people post here they win 140 games and while it makes me happy they enjoy it i rarely can read the recaps. Like to me if they won 105 games ok great. But when has any team won 140 games or 4 titles in a row? Your recaps are super exciting cause you took a team that actually stinks and now your starting to win. you earned it all. enjoyable reads all the way

[dragster646]

Re: MLB The Show 22 Franchise Discussion Thread

That is my biggest hurdle is I lose interest fast if I feel like I am just going to win none stop and never lose

Even this upcoming year when I start a new franchise with the Mets. They are my favorite team. I have a roster that is expected to win 100 games and be in the series mix. but I still make sure i have settings that will not guarantee me the title every year. If I win the title every year with no shot to lose it I can not get into that at all. I see some people post here they win 140 games and while it makes me happy they enjoy it i rarely can read the recaps. Like to me if they won 105 games ok great. But when has any team won 140 games or 4 titles in a row? Your recaps are super exciting cause you took a team that actually stinks and now your starting to win. you earned it all. enjoyable reads all the way

To be fair, as bad as the 22 Nationals team was...I'm not that great at this game either lol. I bet I could take the Dodgers or Padres and finish around .500 with them. Which would make for quite some interesting updates for sure. The thing that keeps me going is the storylines and young players that are on my team or that I've drafted. I'm already getting the itch to call up last year's first round pick, but I know that I should wait.

I'm glad people really enjoy my recaps, hopefully one day they will include some postseason action haha.