The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Ride King Felix until his arm falls off. Seriously, that's about the only way I win games these days. That is with my Seattle all-Analog setup (Veteran hitting, HOF pitching, AS fielding/throwing) where I only play games that King Felix and Pineda start.

I'm still trying to get my settings in order for my Rockies franchise. I agree with you on Classic pitching; it's very much feast or famine.

Your tips on the first page are good, so not sure what I would add since I lose more games than I win.

Me too.

That's one of the reasons I started this thread. As you can see in my initial post, I don't always follow my own advice.

Hopefully by writing it out...best case, I put some of these tips into action and finally get on a winning streak...

And worst case, some other OS'er can get their team into the playoffs...and I can AT LEAST vicariously follow someone on here winning games over in the franchise progress thread! LOL!

[Bobhead]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I am second place in my division and 22-21, after starting 3-10. My I just went on a 5 game win streak, lost a game, then went on a 6 game win streak. This game is insanely hard though, and I couldn't imagine playing it on all default sliders.

I think the biggest thing is to just start with your offense. If you can get guys on your team to catch fire, you will rack up the streaks before you know it. Focus on scoring a lot of runs and taking good approaches, starting rallies, etc... I don't really have much to offer in the way of advice though. I'd imagine I'd be pulling my hair out on default sliders also.

[ChopTalk]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I'd imagine I'd be pulling my hair out on default sliders also.

Actually the wonderful game I just played was pretty much default HOF, timing hitting analog pitching.

Had a few minor tweaks that heroes told me to do.

[Bobhead]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I meant in terms of win/losses... at the end of the day its only a game, and losing 162 games is not fun no matter how realistically they play.

[ChopTalk]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I win probably a 3 to 1 ratio of my games, i'm just good at pitching, I'm not bragging or being cocky but it's the one thing I can do in game.

If I don't try to go for the nice looking strikeout, I can shutout my opponet almost every game with the Braves staff... thats on hall of fame and legend....

I just cannot hit, and usually win by a HR, or last minute single.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Actually the wonderful game I just played was pretty much default HOF, timing hitting analog pitching.

Had a few minor tweaks that heroes told me to do.

I'm not telling anyone to do anything...

I think I know what you meant. I just wanted to point that out.

On near default HOF, I think the reason I lose so much is because the game is slightly tilted towards the CPU's favor. Not that the game is made that way, but based on my ability, the computer has a definite advantage.

I'm just too good to pitch on AS.

Basically, I play in the hopes of recreating realistic stats. If I lose, I lose. Sure, it's hard to stomach. But as long as I see pitchers/hitters on the league leader boards, and my team averages fall in line with true-to-life numbers, I have to assume that the wins will follow as long as I play my cards right.

[VonD]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

#2

The game seems to have some internal code that puts relievers at a disadvantage; I'm very reluctant to bring my relievers in if my starter is cruising.

My closer, Lyon, has blown 5/18 saves and my bullpen routinely coughs up 7th-inning leads. It seems like, from the seventh inning on, every mistake will be crushed to the upper deck.

I don't even think about bringing in relievers until my SP starts walking guys and leaving pitches up, and even then I'm hesitant.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

#2

The game seems to have some internal code that puts relievers at a disadvantage; I'm very reluctant to bring my relievers in if my starter is cruising.

My closer, Lyon, has blown 5/18 saves and my bullpen routinely coughs up 7th-inning leads. It seems like, from the seventh inning on, every mistake will be crushed to the upper deck.

I don't even think about bringing in relievers until my SP starts walking guys and leaving pitches up, and even then I'm hesitant.

I get the same feeling with my bullpen. I think this is why I use my starter past his expiration date, so to speak.

I chalk it up to starting over fresh with the confidence meter.

Yet, time and time again, this instinct of going with what's working (the starter) has caused me an enormous amount of games. Only, to finally go to the pen once it's too late and have my reliever set em' down 1,2,3.

Go to the pen. Pitch to your relievers strengths. Use more 'effort' on their pitches (as stamina isn't much of a concern), and know when to play the lefty/righty match-ups.

And, if your reliever IS struggling...and a mound visit doesn't help, get him out of there ASAP (having another one ready to replace him).

Also, don't forget about your warm-up pitches.

[nomo17k]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

#2

The game seems to have some internal code that puts relievers at a disadvantage; I'm very reluctant to bring my relievers in if my starter is cruising.

Many people feel this way, but I actually don't see it myself... Sure, some relievers are scrubs, that's why they are relieving.

I think the issue is that the confidence has way too much an impact on how a pitcher performs in this game. If the starter pitches long enough, he often has a very high confidence at that point. Then you bring in a reliever with average confidence, and the difference between a mediocre pitcher with average confidence and an above average pitcher with good confidence gets magnified. Relievers don't usually pitch long enough to max out their confidence.

And that transition happens when you bring in your reliever, roughly in 6th or 7th inning. See how that's the time many of the gamers are complaining about how CPU has unfair advantage? I think it's all due to confidence.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Many people feel this way, but I actually don't see it myself... Sure, some relievers are scrubs, that's why they are relieving.

I think the issue is that the confidence has way too much an impact on how a pitcher performs in this game. If the starter pitches long enough, he often has a very high confidence at that point. Then you bring in a reliever with average confidence, and the difference between a mediocre pitcher with average confidence and an above average pitcher with good confidence gets magnified. Relievers don't usually pitch long enough to max out their confidence.

And that transition happens when you bring in your reliever, roughly in 6th or 7th inning. See how that's the time many of the gamers are complaining about how CPU has unfair advantage? I think it's all due to confidence.

Well put, Nomo.

That's basically what I was trying to say in the third line of my post above.

[Bobhead]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I agree with you guys 100%...

I finally thought of some good advice: I see a lot of posts talking about how they had the game won, then brought out "Doug," the A-potential reliever, then Doug blew the game. Then the next game, they bring Doug out again, with RISP and wonder why the game falls apart again.

Confidence is definitely a "permanent" thing. I don't think it directly carries over to the next day, but, when a pitcher is removed from the game and still has high confidence, he is more likely to have high confidence in his next appearance. This is at least what I have observed.

Learn to rotate your bullpen and always be aware of who the last pitcher was to have a great outing. If a pitcher comes out already low on confidence, odds are he will not perform well if it is a high pressure situation or close game. On the other hand, if your long reliever is on fire and striking out everyone he sees, do not hesitate to bring out in the 8th inning in a 1 run game, even if it isn't his "job."

I've even closed out a few games with my Set up man (J.P. Howell) because he has a running ERA of about 1.5 this year.

And yes I agree that the CPU definitely has an advantage in terms of skill in this game. I think it is most pronounced offensively (especially for Zone/Analog players). The CPU's plate vision and timing is impeccable at default. It's almost like the CPU needs to have its "Pitch Speed Slider" turned up in future games.

[Dogbarian]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

If you continue to have trouble with the relievers coming in so poorly, you can go to the sliders and bump the Human Pitcher Consistency up, that is supposed to affect their starting confidence.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I just lost back to back games with the lead (entering the 8th and 9th).

Game one: Two errors in the late innings allowed the CPU to score the winning runs. This was WITH appropriate defensive substitutions. The second error was a no out throwing error from my 3B in the 9th. The runner advanced 2 bases.

Game two: I blew a six run lead in the 8th inning. Two separate relievers, both with good confidence to start. Two batters walked on what I thought were strikes. This dropped both pitcher's confidence meters (which is sensitive for relievers). I also used my mound visits.

I'm not blaming the game. I just can't win. No matter what I do. Thems the breaks I guess. I'm not gonna lie. I'm getting frustrated.

[antilowpe]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Surprisingly, my pen is lights out.
Whereas my ERA as a team is sitting at a good 3.71 ERA (due to a late streak which saw my ChiSox allowing only 8 runs during the last 6 games), none of my relievers has an ERA above 2.00
My closer Thornton is 14/14 in saves opportunities. And my pen has only blown 2 saves in 56 games.

However I find that avg as a team (not for me .256) for the others 29 teams is a bit high.
The "average" batting avg should be on the .250-.260. But there are many teams with a better avg than .260 in the game. It seems the "average" batting average sits at .270.

And if I have a tip, learn how to run the bases. If you have a slow guy on 3rd with no outs and you hit a not so deep SF, do not send the runner.
Same idea with a slow guy on 2nd and you hit a single. If you don't have 2 outs stop him @ 3rd.

Another one who costs me RISP, do not try to reach next base on a missed outfielder's throw. Indeed, the defense is always well placed and you'll be out before even starting to slide.

[BeatArmy]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

After much fussing with sliders amidst a franchise season, I've got them just where I like 'em and the stats seem rather realistic even though Michael Young is hitting .265 (but Kendry Morales is hitting .355). I tend to lose the games while keeping my SP in to pad some stats. I couldn't agree more with liberal use of the bullpen when needed. I keep 3 long guys (Owings for extra innings since he (with edit) doesn't require a PH, Ogando and Rowland-Smith) and have gotten to the point where keeping 12 pitchers might not be a good idea since people aren't getting realistic innings totals. But I've always got a guy I can go to and am thinking about picking up a couple in the coming offseason to make sure my team keeps wins in the late innings.

I like the fact that in this game I do lose. I get frustrated in games where you just run roughshod over everyone and finish 155-7. Where's the fun in that? In '09, my drafted roster averaged about .290 with six guys over .300 on zone hitting. It fun to lose every so often since, well, you should.

I think, though, that the OP is right with the stat padding that keeps us unconsciously keeping guys in we know are burnt. Defensive replacements are definitely necessary (I keep Pie and his .195 average around just to sit Mags in 8-9) and, although they're not perfect, they're something you certainly have to do this year.