The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Stetter led the league in '09 I believe, in OPPBA as he only faced lefties. So, I'm glad to have him yet Braddock is a rookie and young. Could become dangerous. I'll keep them both.
Now, what are some good Long Relief pitchers out there? I HATE Sergio Mitre. Talk about a journeymen. He is awwwwwwwful. I believe when Grienke comes back, I'll just send Mitre down and keep Estrada in the Bigs to fill that role, now that I think about it. Also, cannot wait to have Hawkins back to solidify that 7-8 inning slot. Kameron Loe is good IRL, but that doesn't translate over very well, LOL.

Sergio Mitre was money in the bank for me last year in my Yankees franchise.

There was something about sinkerballers in 10'. I'm not sure how well that translates to 11' though.

[ILiveForThis]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Let's put it this way; Estrada-Mitre-Loe all have pitched for me in my Brewers 'chise (sinker ballers). ERA's respectively.. 1.50 (one start, lol), 10.00, 8.50. That's with the majority API calling for sinkers and me 'picking up what the catcher is dropping' if you catch my drift.
I feel the risk/reward is larger this year while using the sinker. If it hangs, or tails inside, you can say goodbye. I believe its the pich that Uggla put into row 18, seat 7 which is located 421 ft away from homeplate.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Let's put it this way; Estrada-Mitre-Loe all have pitched for me in my Brewers 'chise (sinker ballers). ERA's respectively.. 1.50 (one start, lol), 10.00, 8.50. That's with the majority API calling for sinkers and me 'picking up what the catcher is dropping' if you catch my drift.
I feel the risk/reward is larger this year while using the sinker. If it hangs, or tails inside, you can say goodbye. I believe its the pich that Uggla put into row 18, seat 7 which is located 421 ft away from homeplate.

I couldn't help but chuckle at that last line! Priceless.

[BeatArmy]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

To those that feel bad when they can't hit sometimes: that's baseball. If you're having fits against a Hudson who's killing you, wait for the walk or just be more patient. There are times when I can't get anything started that I take a deep breath, close my eyes in a moment of "WTF am I doing??" and then refocus. Baseball has games where you just go in thinking "it's going to be real hard to get this win" but then you get a Zach Duke outing where you know you can pad stats for a few innings.

[37]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Stetter led the league in '09 I believe, in OPPBA as he only faced lefties. So, I'm glad to have him yet Braddock is a rookie and young. Could become dangerous. I'll keep them both.
Now, what are some good Long Relief pitchers out there? I HATE Sergio Mitre. Talk about a journeymen. He is awwwwwwwful. I believe when Grienke comes back, I'll just send Mitre down and keep Estrada in the Bigs to fill that role, now that I think about it. Also, cannot wait to have Hawkins back to solidify that 7-8 inning slot. Kameron Loe is good IRL, but that doesn't translate over very well, LOL.

Dillon Gee from the Mets is pretty solid..so is karstens from the pirates

[ILiveForThis]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Gee has lit me up in AAA in my RTTS and I REFUSE to get a Pirate on my squad. I may just keep Estrada here and salvage with Mitre getting starters innings in AAA Nashville.
Do you guys usually give days rest to your relievers or run them down till the stamina meter basically says 'arm about to fall off'?

[37]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Gee has lit me up in AAA in my RTTS and I REFUSE to get a Pirate on my squad. I may just keep Estrada here and salvage with Mitre getting starters innings in AAA Nashville.
Do you guys usually give days rest to your relievers or run them down till the stamina meter basically says 'arm about to fall off'?

I dont pitch any reliever more then 3 days in a row...and there's a 2 inning max for each reliever besides the long guy

[37]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Gee has lit me up in AAA in my RTTS and I REFUSE to get a Pirate on my squad. I may just keep Estrada here and salvage with Mitre getting starters innings in AAA Nashville.
Do you guys usually give days rest to your relievers or run them down till the stamina meter basically says 'arm about to fall off'?

slowey from the twins is a decent long guy imo

[ILiveForThis]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Round two; ding, ding. (Score is Milwaukee 2, Atlanta 1)
Top 7, Gallardo is cruising. Gets A-Gon to pop out to Betancourt. They pinch-hit David Ross and he gets a 1-out two-bagger. At this point, I'm nervous with Mitre and Stetter warm. I keep Gallardo in to face Prado but he singles to left, but they keep Ross at third. I call a mound visit, Gallardo is at 92 pitches and Stetter is warm, with Chipper coming to the plate (deja vu?).
I make the call and bring in Stetter. After some warm-up pitches, Chipper swings at a first pitch slider and rolls it over to McGehee. He fields cleanly, throws..... right into Corey Hart's glove in right field. Run scores, tie ball game, 2-2.
McCann then proceeds to hit a 3-run homer three pitches later and breaks this game wide open, once again.

Just. My. Luck.

[Kentucky_Gentleman]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I decided to start a Nationals franchise, and my first game was rough.

Got beat 10-2. Surprisingly I was winning 2-1 through 5 innings. In the top of the 5th however I drew a leadoff walk with Adam LaRoche, then did a hit and run with Danny Espinosa, and executed perfectly. LaRoche being the slow **** that he is got thrown out at third though.

Tim Hudson then proceeded to pick off Dany Espinosa, and then struck out Pudge. Needless to say it was HUGE buzzkill. Strasburg was dominating though with 10 K's through 5. However a leadoff walk doomed me. I proceeded to bring in Todd Coffey who was awful and wound up giving up a grandslam to Freddy Freeman.

The rest of the game was just ugly and finished with a 10-2 score unfortunately.

Are there some games where your reliever just DOESNT have it? As it seemed Coffey didn't. Granted it was just opening day but man it was brutal.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I'm happy to see you guys asking such smart questions and making such poignant observations after your franchise tales.

Let's just continue to keep it like that. Otherwise, the mods may refer us to the franchise progress thread.

Kentucky Gentleman, great question. There are definitely days where relievers seem doomed from pitch number one. That's why I always have two of them going, incase one of them gets smacked around.

Sometimes, it seems as if the CPU is just unbeatable (not so unlike real life). Maybe someone can chime in on how to go about combating this? But, first, the indicators:

1. The CPU will begin getting super aggressive early in the count - whether or not it's a pitch/location they've seen before.

2. The CPU's batters eye will narrow itself. They'll begin to suddenly be able take punch out pitches just centimeters off the black. If it ain't a strike...or if it's not THEIR strike...they'll take it when behind in the count (sort of a reverse of the above).

3. The CPU stops swinging and missing. Nothing you hurl at them fools them. NOTHING.

4. (I hate to say this one) The strike zone narrows. Let's please not belabor this one, as I'd like to keep this thread open...but, the umpires will go from one of those close friends that you'd invite to a party, to the guy that you just let go to voicemail. And MAYBE, you'll call him back if you're having a good day.

How do you guys handle these situations?

Pitch history helps, but...what do the rest of you do? One things for sure; if you want to win in this series, these are the moments that matter.

[ILiveForThis]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

heroes, I'll address your 3rd problem..

What I do to have the CPU keep swing and miss is lead them on in a way. I know it sounds radical butttt, if you can get them to a hitters count and throw something, other than a 4SFB right down Main St., they will take a hack. Changeups work WONDERS on 2-0, 3-1, etc. Along with first pitch Changeups, but just not often. On HOF, they will time it.
If it's not a hitters count, play the odds. Up three? Leave one down the middle/in and then counter it next with tailing away 2SFB. You just have to play the odds and (somewhat) hope for the best. You will get hit up and they will make contact, but once you get them off-balance once, you have to follow up and hit them hard!

[wisdom less13]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I actually had Frankie come in for a two inning save. Breezed through the 8th and had a bit of a rocky 9th (shows how realistic this game is haha) Funny part was is that I brought him in early by accident due to how I was juggling my bullpen. All-in-all it worked out for a METROPOLITAN victory. Sick game, too. Back and forth affair until Jose worked his 2nd walk of the game and Harris followed by ripping a two bagged down the line. Just like everyone has been preaching: HAVE GUYS UP AND READY FROM THE 6th ON! It saves a lot of frustration. Niese went down after 4 1/3, but everyone after Beato did work. Keep on truckin fellas!

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I actually had Frankie come in for a two inning save. Breezed through the 8th and had a bit of a rocky 9th (shows how realistic this game is haha) Funny part was is that I brought him in early by accident due to how I was juggling my bullpen. All-in-all it worked out for a METROPOLITAN victory. Sick game, too. Back and forth affair until Jose worked his 2nd walk of the game and Harris followed by ripping a two bagged down the line. Just like everyone has been preaching: HAVE GUYS UP AND READY FROM THE 6th ON! It saves a lot of frustration. Niese went down after 4 1/3, but everyone after Beato did work. Keep on truckin fellas!

I got myself a big ole' hot symbol next to Mr. Brian Wilson currently.

I just may have to capitalize on that the next time I have 6 unlucky hitters to set down.

8-4 Giants win for me last night, gentleman.

My strategy: Hit 3 doubles in the first inning. Seriously guys, if you need a victory, do this.

[wisdom less13]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I got myself a big ole' hot symbol next Mr. Brian Wilson currently.

I just may have to capitalize on that the next time I have 6 unlucky hitters to set down.

8-4 Giants win for me last night, gentleman.

My strategy: Hit 3 doubles in the first inning. Seriously guys, if you need a victory, do this.

Like I said, I did mine due to a brain fart. It worked out. Plus I got mashed out in my first game. I just love the chess match that is this game. Especially when you know you missed your spot. I am very pleased with how the analog was implemented in this years game. It also seems that the hitters can be set up more. I always prided myself on that when I would play my friends. God I love baseball...