MLB 11 The Show "Franchise/Season" Progress Thread

[Scruffy05]

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

Alright, how do you guys usually set up your playoff rosters? I'm getting to the point where I need to start considering that. I usually run 12-13 pitchers through the season with 13-12 hitters.

However, during the post season, playing every day, I don't need that many pitchers, do I?

During the season I usually have on the team:
6 starting pitchers (5 in the rotation, one long relief, spot starter) with at least one left, preferably 2.
one left handed setup
one right handed setup
One closer
three - four various remaining relievers whom I trust. Preferably a mix of speeds.

On the bench I have my starting nine
One backup catcher
at least one backup outfielder
one backup infielder
one pinchhitter
one pinch runner (who can be my backup outfielder)
Various positional depth


However, in the playoffs O can just see me needing 4 starters (3 in rotation and one 'uh-oh' long reliever style guy'
My back three bullpen arms and maybe one other.

The rest of the roster positions can probably various bench players.

How do you set up yours? Should I have a second lefthanded bullpen arm?

Current team:

SP Carpenter
SP Wainwright
SP Garcia
SP Kuroda
SP Westbrook
SP Bonderman

RP Gallagher
RP Motte
RP Mclellen
SU MacDougal
SU Miller
CP Bell

1B Pujols
2B Schumaker
SS Guzman
3B Young
LF Holliday
CF Rasmus
RF Berkman

OF Jay
PH Betemit
IF Theriot
IF Punto
C Laird

As an option, I also have Ben Revere.

So as I approach the deadline, I feel I am looking for:

A decent lefthanded reliever. Some put away lefty specialist.
Another speed threat so I am not relying on Punto, Jay and Revere on the basepaths.

I'm thinking of making my 3.5 potrseason pitchers Carpenter, Wainwright, Garcia and Kuroda....

Ideas?

[GatorChomp2345]

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

Really going to need some pitching help very soon. Went into the three games against LA 12-17. Come out 13-19, which should have been 15-17. Won a game, next game our bullpen combined to blow a 8-3 lead in the 9th. Then in the rubber match Gallardo got us to the 6th up 4-3. Mark Rogers gives up run number 4. And in the 9th gives up run number 5 to lose yet again

Unbelievable. Next is a homestand against the Reds for three and the Rockies for four. Hopefully we can get at least 4 wins out of that.

[Scruffy05]

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

Really going to need some pitching help very soon. Went into the three games against LA 12-17. Come out 13-19, which should have been 15-17. Won a game, next game our bullpen combined to blow a 8-3 lead in the 9th. Then in the rubber match Gallardo got us to the 6th up 4-3. Mark Rogers gives up run number 4. And in the 9th gives up run number 5 to lose yet again

Unbelievable. Next is a homestand against the Reds for three and the Rockies for four. Hopefully we can get at least 4 wins out of that.

I have had great success pitching with the following guys, who should be rather easy and inexpensive to acquire:

LHP:
Trevor Miller STL
Jesse Carlson TOR

RHP
Mike MacDougal LAD
Sean Gallagher PIT


Trever Miller especially. He only has a mid to high 80s fastball put he can place it and his slurve is DEADLY no matter what hand of hitter you bring up... He can place all his pitches and has a great change up.

I hate it when a pitcher's changeup is only 2-4 mph less than their fastball... that is not change of pace, that is a disinterested fastball.

Also, he is expensive at like 400k per year, but Merkin Valdez ALWAYS gets waved and has a good live arm on him. You can pick him up for some kind works and some haagen daaz and pitch very well with him.

[l3ulvl]

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

Really going to need some pitching help very soon. Went into the three games against LA 12-17. Come out 13-19, which should have been 15-17. Won a game, next game our bullpen combined to blow a 8-3 lead in the 9th. Then in the rubber match Gallardo got us to the 6th up 4-3. Mark Rogers gives up run number 4. And in the 9th gives up run number 5 to lose yet again

Unbelievable. Next is a homestand against the Reds for three and the Rockies for four. Hopefully we can get at least 4 wins out of that.

I figure you mean help by adding players and not help with actual pitching strategies right?

I need help with strategies lol. Specifically keeping my pitch count down. If I attack the strike zone they foul off a ton of pitches, if I throw a few junk pitches they rarely swing, if I nibble the corners they rarely swing at the non-strikes and foul off the strikes. I just gave up on an at bat against Ian Kinsler after 18 pitches and just intentionally walked him. He literally fouled off 10 consecutive pitches (combined with other fouls earlier in the AB). How do you guys limit your pitch count?

[Scruffy05]

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

I figure you mean help by adding players and not help with actual pitching strategies right?

I need help with strategies lol. Specifically keeping my pitch count down. If I attack the strike zone they foul off a ton of pitches, if I throw a few junk pitches they rarely swing, if I nibble the corners they rarely swing at the non-strikes and foul off the strikes. I just gave up on an at bat against Ian Kinsler after 18 pitches and just intentionally walked him. He literally fouled off 10 consecutive pitches (combined with other fouls earlier in the AB). How do you guys limit your pitch count?

One thing I can do is pitch... lay off high fastballs? no. Pitch? Yes.

1. Never through a slider to an off handed hitter. If your pitcher is a righty and the hitter a lefty, leave the slider alone. It gets hit hard, they see it all the way.

2. Mix speeds constantly. I mean constantly. Don't love your fast ball.

3. A high and tight fastball or a inside fastball is hard for the CPU to lay off and a strike out machine.

Typical pitch progression for me versus a RHB with a RHP:

1. Backdoor slider to the lower inside corner. Hopefully strike one but a tough pitch to place.
2. Fastball on the outside corner, maybe low, sometimes mid.
3. High and tight fastball.
4. Curveball to the far and away corner dropping just out of the zone.
5. High outside fastball right on the corner.
6. low outside changeup
7. Fastball inside and thrown as hard as humanly possible.

Usually you will have them on the 3rd, 4th or 6 pitch.

Also, one I like to do with Carpenter on a free swinger (think Soriano):

1. High and tight fastball for a strike.
2. Changeup in the zone (just) low and away.
3. Curveball out of the zone low and away.

The speed keeps going down and each pitch looks similar to the last. I can usually three pitch him.

[l3ulvl]

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

Great stuff Scruffy, appreciate the tips.

Part of my issue is I have very poor control. It's difficult to spot my pitches, some of my guys I could aim straight down the middle and have no idea where the pitch will actually end up.

[GatorChomp2345]

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

No no help on strategy lol. But at this point anything can help. Our bullpen just blew another late game lead. Up 4-3 in the ninth and this time our trusted Axford blew his first save of the year. Thanks for the advice Scruffy, I have been searching around and was actually looking at Miller as a possible pickup. I also might try to get K-rod like we do in real life. That would be a great arm to have in the 8th. But I don't know how much of a possibility that is seeing as the Mets are the best team in the MLB.

[citizenbrain]

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

No no help on strategy lol. But at this point anything can help. Our bullpen just blew another late game lead. Up 4-3 in the ninth and this time our trusted Axford blew his first save of the year. Thanks for the advice Scruffy, I have been searching around and was actually looking at Miller as a possible pickup. I also might try to get K-rod like we do in real life. That would be a great arm to have in the 8th. But I don't know how much of a possibility that is seeing as the Mets are the best team in the MLB.

i hope you're scouting RP's. hehe... George Sherill (braves) is decent, he's 33yrs old but his ratings are still pretty good and he's a lefty. I've had success with him, usually get a lot of strikeouts. His pitches have a good amount of break/control, and average speed. he doesn't have much stamina, but for one inning he's great, maybe 2 innings but that's it of course. I'm sure you could come up with a reasonable trade for him. i think you'd be happy with the results, check him out.

[citizenbrain]

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

I figure you mean help by adding players and not help with actual pitching strategies right?

I need help with strategies lol. Specifically keeping my pitch count down. If I attack the strike zone they foul off a ton of pitches, if I throw a few junk pitches they rarely swing, if I nibble the corners they rarely swing at the non-strikes and foul off the strikes. I just gave up on an at bat against Ian Kinsler after 18 pitches and just intentionally walked him. He literally fouled off 10 consecutive pitches (combined with other fouls earlier in the AB). How do you guys limit your pitch count?

18 pitches? i would have beaned him with a high fastball.

[decga]

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

i hope you're scouting RP's. hehe... George Sherill (braves) is decent, he's 33yrs old but his ratings are still pretty good and he's a lefty. I've had success with him, usually get a lot of strikeouts. His pitches have a good amount of break/control, and average speed. he doesn't have much stamina, but for one inning he's great, maybe 2 innings but that's it of course. I'm sure you could come up with a reasonable trade for him. i think you'd be happy with the results, check him out.

About George Sherill. He is a stud for me in my Braves franchise. 33 games, 34IP, 1.93ERA. He is on point vs righties and lefties. I am in the month of July in my season. I will post stats in next update of my franchise.

[GatorChomp2345]

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

I will give Sherill a look as well. He could really be great for that one inning to get to Axford or Braddock who has been lights out thus far.

[citizenbrain]

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

I will give Sherill a look as well. He could really be great for that one inning to get to Axford or Braddock who has been lights out thus far.

well you better do something before you dig yourself a hole you can't get out of.

[GatorChomp2345]

Trust me Citizen I know. We are already 8 behind the first place Cards. We need to start winning soon. But it still is very early.

[Shield]

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

Season 1 didn't go as terribly as I thought, ended at 76-86 with a rather low payroll. SD took the NL West by a few games over COL. World Series pitted ATL against DET and the Braves won in 5.

During the offseason I had to make the tough decision of letting Broxton go, actually it wasn't tough at all he had a 6.75 era with 9 blown saves. Why would i pay him $7 mil per for 5yrs? One team did, the champion Braves, odd since they have Venters and Kimbrel. I might just have to strike a deal for one of them but Kuo's my closer for now.

I did have some good luck with cheap contracts. For some reason CJ Wilson signed with me for 2yr/5mil rather than taking a larger offer from KC. Angel Pagan signed for 4yr/7.5mil, JJ Hardy signed for 2yr/2mil, Pierre 2yr/1.8mil. I took advantage of signing as many A potential free agents as I could, mostly for trade bait.

Kemp, Kershaw, Dan Hudson all got their big paydays but they actually earned it so I gave it willingly. Hope to make the playoffs this year!

[cardsfan2222]

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

After taking the first 3 games in LA, coupled with a Milwaukee loss, I am now up 3 games with 4 to go. Barring a collapse, I will face either the Braves or Phillies in the divisional round. Neither option is all that appealing.