MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

[countryboy]

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Cardinals win Game 1 of NLDS against Braves

The Cardinals won Game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves 4-3 on Saturday afternoon. Lars Nootbaar got things started with a 3 run homerun off of starter Ian Anderson in the bottom of the first to take a 3-0 lead early. The Cardinals would go ahead 4-0 on a Dylan Carlson solo shot in the 3rd.

The Braves finally got on the board in the 5th when Justin Dean hit a solo homerun off of Julio Urias, who surprisingly started the game. Things would get extremely dicey in the 9th when Ryan Helsley would give up 2 runs, making it 4-3 with only one out after Austin Riley doubled home 2 runs. Alex Reyes was brought in with the tying run on 2nd and one out. Reyes struck out Matt Olson and Marcell Osuna to end the game and preserve the win.

Game 2 will see Jack Flaherty get the ball for the Cardinals while the Braves will turn to Huoscar Ynoa.

Paul Goldschmidt misses Game 1 with finger bruise

Paul Goldschmidt did not play in Game 1 of the NLDS after brusing his finger during pre-game warmups. Lars Nootbaar was inserted into the lineup at DH, while Nolan Gorman was moved to 1B.

Its unknown if Goldschmidt will be available for Game 2 Sunday night.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals take 2-0 series lead with Game 2 win in NLDS

The Cardinals are one win away from their second straight trip to the NLCS, after beating the Braves 6-2 in Game 2 of the NLDS to take a 2-0 series lead.

Things got off to a rocky start as Ozzie Albies hit the 2nd pitch of the game from Jack Flaherty into the right field stands for a 1-0 lead. Flaherty would get out of the 1st inning allowing just the one run after dancing through trouble. Flaherty would have to get out of tough spots in the 2nd and 4th innings as well and did so without allowing a run, but in the 5th inning with 2 outs, Ronald Acuna Jr delivered a RBI single that would put the Braves ahead 2-0 and chasing Flaherty from the game.

After Johan Oviedo got out of the 5th, Harrison Bader would deliver a two out 2 run homerun off of Huascar Ynoa to tie the game at 2. After a perfect 6th by Oviedo, Nolan Arenado would collect his 6th hit of the NLDS with a 2 run homerun to left center to put the Cardinals ahead 4-2.

The bullpen would shut down the Braves offense and in the 8th inning, Paul Goldschmidt would pinch hit for Lars Nootbaar with one out and 2 on and deliver a 2 run single off of reliever Aaron Bummer to put the Cardinals ahead 6-2.

AJ Minter would strikeout the side in the 9th to preserve the win and give the Cardinals a 2-0 series lead.

Game 3 is Tuesday in Atlanta. The Cardinals will go to Max Fried to try to close it out, while the Braves will turn to their ace, Spencer Strider, to try to keep their postseason going.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals are heading to the NLCS for the 2nd straight year

The Cardinals won Game 3 of the NLDS over the Braves in Atlanta 4-3 to sweep the series and advance to their second straight NLCS.

Max Fried was masterful on the mound after a unsettling first inning where he allowed a run on Austin Riley's two out single. But Fried would be stress free until the 7th when he gave up a run on a Sean Murphy sac fly after Dylan Carlson misplayed a ball with one out in the inning that gave Orlando Arcia a triple.

The Cardinals though, did what they've done this series and fight back. Paul Goldschmidt tied the game in the 4th with a RBI single. In the 6th Nolan Arenado would deliver a two run double to make it 3-1, and Brendan Donovan would reach on an error by Gio Urshela to make it 4-1.

But once again, Ryan Helsley couldn't close the game. Coming into the 9th with a 4-2 lead, Helsley would get Justin Dean to lineout to Harrison Bader, but then Ronald Acuna Jr would hit a solo homerun to right to make it 4-3. Helsley would be forced to face Austin Riley who would pop out to Tommy Edman. With 2 outs, just like in Game 1, manager Oli Marmol would get Alex Reyes out of the bullpen, who would proceed to strikeout Matt Olson on 4 pitches to clinch the series and advance the Cardinals to the NLCS.

League Championship Series set

Both the NLCS and the ALCS are set for the 2025 postseason.

ALCS

(5)Yankees vs (2)Twins

The Yankees defeated the top seeded Rangers in 5 games, while the Twins swept the Orioles in their ALDS matchup.

NLCS

(2)Cardinals vs (1)Padres

The Cardinals swept the Braves in the NLDS, while the Padres needed all 5 games to advance past the Marlins.

Cardinals make changes to postseason roster ahead of the NLCS

The Cardinals have made two changes to their postseason roster ahead of the NLCS. The Cardinals added Jordan Walker to the roster, replacing Paul DeJong. This move isn't all that surprising as Walker would've likely been on the NLDS roster provided he was healthy when it started. Also, Walker provided some key hits/moments in the 2024 postseason.

The other move may come as a shock, but shouldn't, especially to those that have followed the season and moreso the NLDS. The Cardinals added Leonardo Rivas to the roster replacing Tyler O'Neill. Rivas was part of the 2024 postseason roster due to injuries to both Paul Goldschmidt and Brendan Donovan. His ability to play all over the field, along with great glovework and speed help him find a spot on the roster.

Tyler O'Neill was replaced as he continues to struggle at the plate. O'Neill struckout 7 times in 12 at-bats during the NLDS and had the 3rd most strikeouts in the majors during the regular season with 193 punchouts.

Lars Nootbaar will likely start in left field with Oscar Mercado available to replace him as a defensive upgrade in the later innings.


PITCHERS

Julio Urias (L)
Jack Flaherty
Max Fried (L)
Tyler Glasnow
Matthew Liberatore (L)
Johan Oviedo
Chris Stratton
Genesis Cabrera (L)
Jordan Hicks
Ryan Helsley
Giovanny Gallegos
AJ Minter (L)
Alex Reyes

CATCHERS

Ivan Herrera
Ali Sanchez

INFIELDERS

Paul Goldschmidt
Brendan Donovan
Tommy Edman
Nolan Arenado
Nolan Gorman
Jordan Walker
Leonardo Rivas

OUTFIELDERS

Lars Nootbaar
Harrison Bader
Dylan Carlson
Oscar Mercado

[Itsma806]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

2024 Pittsburgh Pirates 08/15-08/18

Overall Record:84-41 (1st NL Central/8.5 over Milwaukee)

Game Results

Game 1
Marlins-2
Pirates-1

Game 2
Marlines-2
Pirates-1

Game 3
Pirates-4
Marlins-3

Game 4
Pirates-4
Marlins-2

Pirates split four game series with Marlins

The Pirates split their four game series with the Marlins after both teams won consecutive games. The first three games were decided by homeruns in the 9th inning. Joe Jiminez came into the game in the 9th inning of game one with the scored tied at one a piece. He also came into the game with thiry innings pitched in Twenty-eight appearances and hadnt allowed a single homerun on the year. That all changed with the first batter he faced, Trayce Thompson who hit his 99th career homerun to give the Marlins the lead. Chase De Jong entered game two under the same circumanstances and also gave up a homerun, his to Jacob Berry.

The Pirates then turned the tables in game three as Andrew Mccutchen hit his 16th of the season to walk it off for the Pirates 4-3 victory.

The Marlins got onto the board first in game four when Jacob Berry hit a rbi double in the fourth inning. Bryan De La Cruz added to their advantage in the 5th inning with a solo shot but that was all Miami could muster for the game. The Pirates came back and scored in the 5th, 6th and 7th inning, four runs in total as they took the final game to tie the series.

The Pirates did welcome back Tucupita Marcano off of the IL. With his return, Drew Maggi was optioned back down to AAA.

The Pirates now head back on the road with their first matchup being an important one as they head to Milwaukee to take on the second place Brewers (75-49). The Brewers currently sit in the second wildcard spot and have been fighting all year and thus far have kept Pittsburgh divisional lead from reaching double digits. The Brewers arent missing any mlb players while the Pirates are still missing Ji-Hwan Bae, Matt Frazier and Bryan Reynolds.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Padres win Game 1 of NLCS

The Padres won Game 1 of the NLCS 4-1 over the Cardinals behind a dominant pitching performance from Joe Musgrove. Musgrove went 7 innings allowing one run on 2 hits and striking out 8. Julio Urias started for the Cardinals was equally as impressive going 6 innings giving up 1 run on 5 hits and punching out 7.

The Padres scored in the Top of the 1st on a Jake Cronenworth sac fly. The game would stay 1-0 until 7th when Brendan Donovan got a 1 out RBI groundout after Ha Seong Kim made a great play deep in the hole but couldn't turn the double play. The Padres would take the lead in the 8th on a Xander Boegarts RBI single and then Ha Seong Kim would take Giovanny Gallegos deep for a 2 run homerun to put the game away at 4-1.

The Cardinals were without Harrison Bader who was scratched from the starting lineup due to stained tricep. He is listed as day to day. Lars Nootbaar who took over in left field after Tyler O'Neill was left off the roster, did his best to fill in for O'Neill by striking out in all 3 of his at bats.

Game 2 will see Jack Flaherty get the ball for the Cardinals. The Padres will hand the ball to Eric Lauer

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Padres walk-off Game 2 to take 2-0 series lead in NLCS

Game 2 of the NLCS was cold, rainy, and filled with a roller coaster of emotions.

Once again the Padres got on the board first when Fernando Tatis Jr took Jack Flaherty deep for a 2 run homerun in the bottom of the 1st inning to put the Padres up 2-0. But the Cardinals would fight back when Jordan Walker hit a 2 out, 2 run homerun in the 4th to tie the game at 2. In the 5th, Leonardo Rivas who started in center hit a solo shot to put the Cardinals up 3-2. The Padres would get that run back in the 6th when Xander Boegarts doubled home a run to tie it again, this time at 3.

Ryan Helsley would once again get into trouble out of the bullpen but Matthew Liberatore came in and got out of a one out, runners on 2nd and 3rd situation in the 7th by striking out the next two batters. He would get thru part of the 8th and Chris Stratton would end the 8th keeping the game tied at 3.

In the 9th, the Cardinals went 3 up, 3 down, and the Padres came to the plate. But before their turn could take the place, the umpires delayed the game due to rain that lasted an hour. The Cardinals turned to AJ Minter due to lefties coming to the plate, but Jake Cronenworth would take the 2nd pitch he saw from Minter and deposit it into cool night sky for a walk-off homerun, giving the Padres a 4-3 win and a 2-0 series lead in the NLCS.

The two teams are off on Tuesday as they travel to St.Louis for Game 3 on Wednesday night. The Cardinals will look to Max Fried to get a victory while the Padres will hand the ball to Corbin Burnes as they look to put a stranglehold on the series.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals win Game 3 behind home fans and strong pitching

The Cardinals won Game 3 of the NLCS 4-1, and now trail the series 2 games to one. The Cardinals did it feeding off the home crowd and dominant pitching.

Max Fried got the ball for Game 3 and went 5.2 innings giving up one run on 4 hits with 5 strikeouts and 2 walks. He was lifted after 93 pitches and the Padres got a runner on in the 6th. Jordan Hicks took care of the 6th, 7th, and one out in the 8th before leaving for Genesis Cabrera who would face left hander Jake Cronenworth and Trent Grisham. Alex Reyes pitched the 9th allowing a baserunner on a walk, but he struck out 2 of the 3 hitters he faced to secure the save and victory.

The offense all came in the 2nd inning where the Cardinals sent 9 men to the plate against Corbin Burnes with 4 scoring. The biggest at bat was Leonardo Rivas, playing for the injured Harrison Bader, delivered a 2 out, 3 run double. Two batters later, Dylan Carlson would single home Rivas after Edman walked to make it 4-0. The Cardinals wouldn't score again, but thanks to the pitching staff, they didn't need to.

The Padres lone run came in the 4th on a Jurickson Profar RBI groundout.

Game 4 is tomorrow with the Cardinals sending Tyler Glasnow to the mound for his first start in the postseason. The Padres will counter with Nick Martinez.

[Detroit Tigers]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Through 126 games of my 2024 season I’m allowing 4.78 runs per game while scoring 4.47 runs per game.

We are 57-69.

33-30 at home
Kinda ok I guess
24-39 away
that’s an issue
16-24 vs the division
also looks bad

Overall we’re not as bad as our record but ultimately 2024 has been disappointing for the Tigers.

Tork: .204/.270/.337 12HR 45RBI
Greene: .294/.346/.506 18HR 74RBI
Tellez: .254/.327/.461 19HR 60RBI
Keith: .275/.327/.437 10HR 46RBI

After a stretch of 4-16 we’ve won 9 of 10. Trying to make things respectable. Trail CLE by 15 games.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals win Game 4 to tie NLCS

The Cardinals won Game 4 3-2 to tie the NLCS at 2 games apiece with the Padres.

Ha Seong Kim got the scoring started with a solo homerun off of Tyler Glasnow in the 1st inning to put the Padres up 1-0. But the Cardinals would get that back in the 2nd inning when Ivan Herrera singled home a run to tie the game.

In the 3rd, the Cardinals would take the lead after Paul Goldschmidt hit his first homerun of the postseason to put the Cardinals up 2-1. Fernando Tatis Jr would tie the game at 2 with a solo homerun in the 6th that ulitmately would chase Tyler Glasnow from the game. In the bottom of the 6th, Tommy Edman would deliver a 2 out RBI triple to put the Cardinals up 3-2. The Cardinals bullpen of Johan Oviedo, AJ Minter, Giovanny Gallegos, and Ryan Helsley would close the game out and preserve the win.

The two teams meet tomorrow night for Game 5. The Cardinals will go back to Julio Urias while the Padres are going with young arm Gordon Graceffo who they claimed from the Cardinals in the Rule 5 draft last winter.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals win Game 5 now one win away from World Series

The Cardinals won Game 5 of the NLCS 4-2 over the Padres and now are one win away from their second straight trip to the World Series.

Things got off to a rough start as Xander Bogaerts hit a solo homerun to lead off the game off of Julio Urias to put the Padres up 1-0. But like they've done in St.Louis, the Cardinals came back and tied the game in the 5th when Tommy Edman delivered a RBI single to score Ivan Herrera. In the 7th, the Padres would take the lead again when Willi Castro would fight off a 3-2 up and in fastball and just dump it over the first baseman's head to put the Padres up 2-1. The Cardinals had men on 2nd and 3rd with 0 outs in the bottom of the 7th, but Harrison Bader grounded out, Herrera lined out, and Donovan grounded out to end the inning.

In the 8th, after Dylan Carlson singled off of Jose Alcara, Paul Goldschmidt would hit a 1-2 slider into the left field seats to give the Cardinals the lead 3-2. 3 batters later, Nolan Gorman would double home Jordan Walker to make it 4-2. Alex Reyes would pitch a perfect 9th for his 4th save this postseason and help put the Cardinals one win away from a trip to the World Series for the 2nd straight season.

Game 6 is Friday night in San Diego. The Cardinals will give the ball to Jack Flaherty while the Padres will counter with Joe Musgrove.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Padres blank Cardinals in Game 6 to force decisive Game 7

The Padres shutout the Cardinals 2-0 last night in Game 6 of the NLCS at Petco Park to force a decisive Game 7.

Joe Musgrove was masterful on the mound going 8 innings allowing no runs on 3 hits and striking out 7. Robert Suarez saved his 4th game of the postseason with a perfect 9th. Grisham would be the only offense the Padres would need as he had a RBI double in the 5th to make it 1-0, and then hit a solo homerun in the 8th off of AJ Minter to make it 2-0.

The Cardinals bats were lifeless in the game only getting 3 hits, none extra base hits, and only put 4 men total on base.

Game 7 is tomorrow night in San Diego. The Cardinals will turn to Max Fried who won Game 3, while the Padres will hand the ball to Eric Lauer who won Game 2.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals shutout in Game 7 of NLCS as Padres head to World Series

The Cardinals will not be returning to the World Series in 2025 as they fell in Game 7 of the NLCS to the Padres 1-0 in San Diego.

Max Fried pitched brilliantly, but one swing by Anthony Santander in the 7th would give the Padres a 1-0 lead and be the difference of the ballgame. The Cardinals were just stiffled by Eric Lauer all game and had an opportunity in the 9th against Robert Suarez when Tommy Edman singled and Dylan Carlson was hit by a pitch. With 2 on and no outs, Paul Goldschmidt would pop out on an excuse me swing, Nolan Arenado would fly out, and Jordan Walker would groundout to end the ballgame and the Cardinals season.

The Padres will face the Yankees in the World Series. The Yankees defeated the Twins in the ALCS 4-2.

Yankees win their 28th World Series Championship

The New York Yankees have won their 28th World Series Championship as they beat the Padres in 6 games.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals offseason outlook

While the ending wasn't what the Cardinals wanted, all in all 2025 was a good season. They won 96 games, they won the NL Central, and they were the 2nd best team in the National League. They also returned to the NLCS, losing in 7 games to the best team in the National League.

With that in mind, the Cardinals offseason will be busy and will offer its own challenges so that the team has a chance to repeat its success in the 2026 season, and improve upon its success.

The Cardinals have a lot of potential free agents this winter as well as contract options to work through. The only starting pitcher that is guaranteed to return is Julio Urias. Jack Flaherty and Tyler Glasnow have player options, while Max Fried and Dakota Hudson are free agents. The bullpen as well is only guaranteed to return Giovanny Gallegos, Johan Oviedo, and Jordan Hicks. Everyone else is a free agent.

Outside of pitching, the Cardinals have Ivan Herrera and Branden Donovan (arbitration), Nolan Arenado, Harrison Bader, Dylan Carlson, and Nolan Gorman (under contract) as the only guaranteed returns for the lineup. Paul Goldschmidt, Tyler O'Neill, and Tommy Edman are impending free agents.

The Cardinals will have big choices to make as to how they fill vacancies in the pitching staff as well as left field (Jordan Walker?), shortstop and first base. As well as fill out depth on the roster.

It will be interesting to see how this plays out for a team that is coming off back to back NL Central division titles and back to back trips to the NLCS.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals re-sign Alex Reyes and Genesis Cabrera

The Cardinals are working to maintain their bullpen and did so early this winter by re-signing RHP Alex Reyes and LHP Genesis Cabrera to contracts.

Alex Reyes signed a 3 year $27MM contract while Genesis Cabrera signed a 5 year $35MM contract. Both were key parts in the regular season as well as the postseason last year for the Cardinals. Now the Cardinals are guaranteed Reyes, Cabrera, Johan Oviedo, Jordan Hicks, and Giovanny Gallegos from the bullpen last year.

Jack Flaherty, Max Fried, and Tyler Glasnow hit the free agent market

The Cardinals went into the winter knowing that the majority of their pitching staff from last year had the opportunity to become free agents, and unfortunately 3 of the big 4 rotational pieces are doing just that. Max Fried was almost all but certain to test free agency as he was on a one year contract last year, but Flaherty and Glasnow had player options. And while the feeling wasn't great that either would exercise them, its still discouraging that both rejected and will hit the open market.

Both have offers in hand, as does Fried, from the Cardinals so hopefully at least one will return to the rotation next year to join Julio Urias, the only one of the big 4 that is still currently on the roster.

[countryboy]

Re: MLB The Show 23 Franchise Mode Discussion

Cardinals re-sign Jack Flaherty and Ryan Helsley

The Cardinals brought back two key components in their pitching staff that has helped this team be successful the past two seasons.

First the Cardinals brought back Jack Flaherty on a 5yr/$170MM contract. The right hander will join Julio Urias in the rotation as a big one two punch combo at the top of the rotation.

Ryan Helsley was brought back on a one year/$11.5M contract. Helsley who was an all-star last year and was the primary closer, did struggle in the postseason. The Cards believe that to be more of an exception versus the rule in terms of Helsley's ability. But the one year deal does mean that if Helsley continues to delcine the Cardinals aren't stuck in a bad contract.

Cardinals sign Michael King to a 4 year deal

The Cardinals continue to address their pitching staff this winter and have done so now by signing RHP Michael King.

King who was the closer for the World Series Champion Yankees last year, signed a 4yr/$46MM contract that will put him with Genesis Cabrera and Alex Reyes for the next few seasons.

The Cardinals continue to look for rotation help as its unlikely that Max Fried or Tyler Glasnow re-sign due to the money they are seeking. The Cardinals also need another left hander in the bullpen.