MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

[cardsfan2222]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

After losing the series to Seattle, it was back home to face Colorado. Pujols hit his 8th home run in the 1st to make it 2-0. The Rockies tied it up in the 2nd, despite not hitting a ball out of the infield. Hawksworth got ground balls that should have been double plays 3 times, and all of them were botched, with throwing errors on two of them.

In the 6th, Hawksworth let the Rockies tie it up at 4 on a home run by Barmes. I went to the bullpen for the 7th, and they were disastrous once again. Freeman, Calero, and Motte combined to give up 6 runs in 2 innings, leading us to a 10-7 loss.

I simmed the next game, and Salas and Miller gave up 4 runs in the 10th, leading to the fourth loss in a row. This is one of the most inconsistent teams I've ever played with. It seems like everyone has gone through a slump at some point this season, and I'm not even through May yet.

[thaSLAB]

Crazy thing in my franchise is that Cleveland has the best record, just as they do in real life. I'm 3 games behind as of May 8th. That's some crazy realism for you... and the team ratings have them at #28 overall.


Sent from my PC36100 using Tapatalk

[cardsleadtheway]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

Started a series against the White Sox. Danks was the starter and I got a pop each for Pena and Dunn telling me to sit them since they are both around 160 against lefties. I ignored the advice. In the first inning with a runner second, Pena singles up the middle to drive in the first run. Adam Dunn at the plate. Danks tosses in a slow cutter that just lays across the middle of the plate. Dunn didn't miss. He took that thing over the right field wall to the sum of 365 feet, making that home run number 500 for his career. It was more or less the same cut scene as 400, but it was cool nonetheless. Even the White Sox fans were cheering him on. The only downside is that ever time he gets up to bat, a banner flashes the countdown to 600. I hope that won't happen every time, else it might burn into my screen.

I get Gio back in a couple of days, but Drabek has been holding his own. He actually went 9 innings and gave up only 1 run (sim game). Krol also had a CG (also sim), but still got sent down when Capps and Paxton came back.

By the way, how is Hawksworth to pitch with? He is one of those free agents that spent the whole season without a team, which means I can sign him for dirt cheap if I need to. My bull pen will probably see some serious depletion come the off season.

[cardsfan2222]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

Hawksworth has been great for me. He's 5-0, with an ERA around 3.15. He sims pretty well too. He's not overpowering, but he gets a lot of ground balls. I used him as a middle reliever for most of last season until I traded Lohse away. He'd definitely be worth getting.

[duke776]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

Just had an exciting one against the White Sox in my Athletics franchise. Pitching matchup was Bronson Arroyo (me) vs. Donnie Brooks (Sox).

Jose Reyes led off the game with a single to right field. Then promptly stole 2nd base. Then Brian Roberts walked on 4 straight pitches. Rick Ankiel struck out. Then my DH Winfred Dempsey comes up and hits a line drive into the left center field gap for a double scoring Reyes and moving Roberts to third. My 1st baseman Jimmie Parsons then grounds out to 2nd base while advancing both runners (scoring Roberts) and putting me up 2-0. That was the last time we scored for a while. Arroyo steps on the mound and he is just rolling, it felt like it could be something special. Through 4.2 IP it was as he had a perfect game going. On an 0-2 count to Jack Cust I decide to try and throw a slider down and in out of the zone. I wanted to take it back the moment I pressed the X button to pitch, I had a feeling it would hit him, and it did. I got the next batter to ground out though and the no hitter was still in tact. Then bottom 6 with 2 outs, Jerry Owens breaks up the no hitter with a single up the middle. No harm done though as Arroyo sets down the next batter. In the 7th Carlos Quentin homers to break up the shutout and make the score 2-1. Bronson got out of the inning with no other damage and ended up with a line of 7IP 3H 1R 4K's. Then in the bottom of the 8th I bring in Will Ohman to keep the lead but he gave up a run, and got in a jam. I brought in Santiago Casilla and he mowed down the White Sox hitters to get out of the jam. Then we both had 3 straight scoreless innings where there were a total of 2 baserunners. Top 12, new aquisition for us, Mark DeRosa, leads the inning off with a double. Then my catcher Jerrod Bacon singles up the middle and DeRosa scores and we take a 3-2 lead. We threatened for more runs but were untimately shut down and kept to a 1 run lead. Billy Wagner comes in the bottom of the 12th and converts a 3 pitch save. He induced 3 straight ground balls to secure the victory for us. Just in time too as I had to run to class. Wins like these are sooo rewarding.

We are now 20-20 on the year just 3.5 GB from the Angels. As I mentioned above I aquired Mark DeRosa. I traded Nate McClouth to the Indians for Mark DeRosa and Ben Francisco. The Indians won this deal in talent because McClouth is a .300/25HR/30SB guy while DeRosa is only a .280/15 guy and Francisco is just okay, but I absolutely love Mark DeRosa and also like Francisco. I never liked McClouth too much even though he was great for me and when I saw Mark DeRosa was just sitting in the minors for the Indians I started exploring a trade right then and there. He's not a great player, hits decently but has an absolute dreadful arm and I don't believe his defense or baserunning is all that good but I've been a huge fan of his since he played for the Cubs a few years ago. He's now my starting Right Fielder, and can fill in anywhere really (besides catcher and pitcher I believe). Francisco is just depth for me just in case anyone goes down with an injury and I'll have a decent replacement.

There was a scare in DeRosa's first game with us, he left with an injury in the 6th. But he was only out a couple days luckily. Speaking of injury news, Chad Durbin tore his hamstring a few games ago and is out 1-2 months, he had been solid especially eating innings because he has decent stamina and can operate as a long man if need be. Brandon Lyon also was injured recently but again I avoided too much harm as he is just Day-to-Day.

[TallyBoi7]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

I just started my Atlanta Braves Franchise and lost my first game to the Nationals 4-3 in 11 innings...after giving up a run in the 4th inning, Chipper Jones hit a two-run shot to right center field to give me a 2-1 lead...at that point I really thought I could play solid defense and hold onto the lead, but of course the Nationals answered right back to go up 3-2....in the 8th inning, Jason Heyward, who was 0 for 3 at that point, hit a one-run opposite field home run to tie the game up..but the Nats won on a walkoff basehit by Jerry Hairston...it was almost a walkoff HR, but just bounced of the top of the right field wall.

Ryan Zimmerman ended just about every rally I had by making so crazy diving stop at 3rd base...I really should've won that game...and Stephen Strasburg injured himself early in the 3rd inning and had to come out.

[andrewochs615]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

Im rebuilding the mariners and did a lot of sim through the first season. They didn't make the playoffs obviously but i simmed to the World series just to see how things play out. It was the Rockies and Yankees in the World series and the rockies go up 3-0.

So i decide to play the 4th game in coors field against the yankees. The game goes to the 10th tied at 1, and with 2 outs i decide to pinch hit jason giambi for the picther. Sure enough I hit a walk off hr with giambi ironically against his former team to win the WS.

My point being, people always complain about the WS celebration not being more energetic. however when you hit a walk off hr to win the WS it is really really cool and the animations are great. Giambi was jumping up and down as he rounded the bases and Matt V was screaming like move over carter move over mezoraski and it was really cool. Just thought i share it.

[Mike3207]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

So I finished my first season of franchise, simming all the games. The Reds went 101-61 in the regular season. I followed a strategy of trading most of the big salaries on the Reds(except for Arroyo). I got a budget increase of 8% for beating the Yankees in the World Series, 4 games to 2.I'm now in the offseason, attempting to control budget issues. One tip I want to give is that once a player hits 26, you can sign him to a deal for up to 6 years. I've got 38 million in cap room, and will have to decide on who to keep***le 5 will be a challenge, deciding who to put on the 40.

[TallyBoi7]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

Just finished up my opening series vs. the Nationals in my Braves franchise. We experienced a power surge slugging 10 homeruns in the series(I didn't use power swing at all and actually had power set at 4). Chipper Jones hit 4 homers in the series. I lost game one 4-3...but I won games two and three by the scores of 10-5 and 5-1...getting ready to start a 4 game series vs. the Brewers next.

[Celebrity]

Re: MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

Oh my. I am currently in the middle of a great game. 3rd game of my opening series against Detroit. [Fantasy Draft]. Game starts off smooth, but I noticed Dallas Braden is having some trouble hitting his spots. But I think no biggie, he's doing well enough. In the second inning, my 3rd basemen...Evan Longoria, hits a solo opposite field blast. So I have high hopes. The next inning, Braden sits everyone down in a one two three inning but their pitcher does the same to me.

4th inning comes...they score five runs on me. I had to take Braden out. He was just getting rocked out there. 5-1, Detroit. The next half...I get hits after hits. Eventually, I am able to put the game 5-3 with 1 out with a man on first and second. McCann is up to bat. I am able to work the count to 3-2 and the following pitch is just destroyed. A no doubter to right center. 6-5, Yankees.

The next inning...they start it off with a triple and get that run in thanks to Coco Crisp. Damnit. Game is tied. Coco steals second and the following is a hit driving him in. 7-6, Detroit.

7th inning stretch.

Edit: They ended up scoring 6 more runs. Gosh, I really wish I focused on my bullpen during the draft >.<

[Cod]

Re: MLB 11 The Show &quot;Franchise/Season&quot; Progress Thread

Just ended my first free agent period. Nothing too serious, but I was able to lock-up Scott Kazmir to a 3-year, 15 million dollar deal with a club option for a forth year at 5 million dollars.

Probably going to start Spring Training in the next few days with my "new look" Nats. Ramos full-time catching, Scott Kazmir at the #2 spot in the rotation, platooning Roger Bernadina and propsect Eury Perez in center, and keeping a close eye on my new AAA squad (Norris, Harper, Moore, and company)....may see some mid-season call-ups (can't start the service clock too soon).

[Steelersfan85]

Re: MLB 11 The Show &quot;Franchise/Season&quot; Progress Thread

Started a franchise with the Pirates. Currently I am 5-5 after a 2-0 start in which I shutout the Cubs in back to back games with a 3 hitter and a 1 hitter. Really enjoying playing with them and having a lot of fun.

[Celebrity]

Re: MLB 11 The Show &quot;Franchise/Season&quot; Progress Thread

Oh damn. Just had a great game. Zito [my team] was definitely struggling early in the game. Gave up only one run but he was constantly leaving guys on base and I felt that if he pitched on more inning, they'd tear him a new one.

With the game 1-0, I was able to get an RBI double with Longoria, scoring Billy Butler from second. Gotta love those down the line hits!

Game was tied 1-1 for most of the game. Andy Sonnanstine held the game pretty damn well.

But in the bottom of the 8th, Angel Pagan belted a 2-2 pitch to deep left center. You have no idea how hyped I was. I had to stand up and pace back and forth for a couple seconds lol.

My closer, Leo Nunez, then came in and did the job, getting two guys to groundout and then striking out the final batter. Game ends 2-1, me. Such a great game. Games like that are just so awesome.

[Howie5]

Re: MLB 11 The Show &quot;Franchise/Season&quot; Progress Thread

Now 23-24 with my Red Sox...Just won game 1 of a 3 game series @ Cleveland. Have yet to get above .500...which is frustrating, but I think we will here soon then get the momentum going. The Yankees have built a huge lead in the AL East, but there's lots of time left in the season & the wildcard will surely be up for grabs. Goods news...my starting pitching has been very good and were now hitting better as a team (.251). Gonzo, Youk, Ortiz & Crawford have been leading the way...so far Pedroia is the biggest dissapoint hitting at around a .220 clip. Still have him in the 2 hole. Scutaro is struggling big time as well, hitting around .180. Let's see if we can't turn this around.

[Mike3207]

Re: MLB 11 The Show &quot;Franchise/Season&quot; Progress Thread

So I'm done with the offseason. My big splash in FA was to sign RP Joel Zumaya to a 4 year deal, 1.4 million per year. You just don't see pitchers with A velocity in franchise much.One of the decisions I've got to face going forward is what to do with Volquez/Leake. It'll cost 5 million per year to extend Leake to a 6 year deal with a player option now. I could trade Volquez , sign Leake to that deal, and promote Wood. Decisions, decisions.