The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

[Bobhead]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Ok my problem isn't giving up runs late in the game because i rarely have the lead. It's just the opposite for me which is the ability to score runs from the 6th inning on. The main reason for this, i'm discovering, is that it seems every reliever i face has a arms-flailing, ball shooting out of the shoulder, very distracting type of release which makes it difficult to pick up the release point. The fastballs are livelier. The breaking balls are sharper so I find myself basically guessing instead of hitting if that makes any sense. Am i the only one experiencing this? (probably)

Yeah, I've run into my fair share of relievers with funky side-arm deliveries and the guys with the ultra-slow windups.

Same boat here as well. I sometimes feel like the pitched ball's path isn't properly animated for some of these guys, because every pitch looks like a breaking ball, even a 95 mph fastball. It's rather annoying.

I too am usually guessing, although I've found that the guys with weird deliveries have a hard time staying inside (ie their pitches almost always seem to run across the plate), so I usually just hold the PCI towards the opposite side. Left against a left-handed weirdo, and right against a right-handed one. (My camera is behind the catcher. Anyone batting with a behind-the-pitcher camera would reverse this: left against a righty, etc...)

Other than that though, I have no problems scoring in later innings. I think the key is that patience is even more important against relievers than it is against starters. These guys are coming into crazy situations, generally with their confidence in a random spot somewhere around half-full. Not to mention the CPU seems to be more likely to nibble and try to get you to chase when pitching in the later innings.

I'd say about 60% of my walks come from the last three innings of the game.

Don't press the issue. Just sit and wait for your pitch.

[derelictojama]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Great OP, great comments all along the way. So, since this thread was actually started for last year's game, what do we think of the bullpen management/pitcher confidence issue? Still the same this year? If they're going to have confidence as such a focal point, the confidence carry-over for bullpen pitchers should be more noticeable... if Kimbrel hasn't blown a save all year, has a hot streak going, era under 1.00... his confidence should be full the minute he walks into the game. My opinion, of course, but isn't that what great relievers do? Walk into the game and just take it over with their attitude as much as their stuff (I mean, Brian Wilson's beard didn't make his pitches better, but it sure did make him seem a lot scarier. Without that beard he is not very scary.).

As for strategies, someone mentioned it somewhere above (last year... forgive me for not digging for the exact quote; it's in there somewhere), USE YOUR WARM UP PITCHES. I have no proof of this but my own experience, but I know that as you throw different warm up pitches, the confidence rating on them varies. I figure, if I'm bringing in Kimbrell, I'm gonna have him throw the FB like 6 times, and throw the 2 breaking pitches 1 time each, jack up that confidence in the FB. Someone prove me wrong if you can, but I swear, it makes a difference. Plus, you do get to see what kind of "stuff" the guy has that day.

I'm so much better at pitching (whether I use classic or meter, which I go back and forth on) than hitting, that most of my losses come from an inability to get the key hit. I'll dink and dunk a guy for 9 hits over 6 innings, and work a few walks, but hit into that timely double play or get stuck in a pitcher's count and end up leaving runners in scoring position, take that close 3rd strike, drive up the pitcher's confidence. Some of it is just baseball, but some of it is me, getting too jacked up and forgetting everything I know about the fundamentals. So my main strategy is to really try to get that starter rattled early--drive up pitch counts, be really aggressive on the bases, play small ball ridiculously early--and then, if it works, I can usually put a big inning together in the gap between the starter getting tired and the reliever getting in the game, 5th or 6th, and then I have a chance of getting into a groove and putting the game away.

I also always, ALWAYS get my relievers up and throwing in the 5th/at least the 6th. I don't care if the guy's throwing a no hitter and I'm up 10-0 (well, that's a bit extreme, but you know...), I'm getting somebody up and throwing. If the game's close, it'll be a strategic decision, if it's not, I'll just make sure I at least have the long guy loosening up (love "stretch and toss!"). I almost always get a lefty and a righty throwing (having 2 lefties is not just a good strategy I think it's an absolute necessity--thankfully with Venters and OFlaherty, I'm good), no telling at what point the starter is going to run out of gas. Now what I don't know for sure, is what if any effect that has on the bullpen--I mean, I think Livan has warmed up for me at some point in virtually every game I've played with the Braves so far (end of July), and he never seems to get tired unless I actually bring him into the game (that could just be Livan, he's apparently something more than human).

I win more than I lose, but most of my wins are pretty close, and most of my losses are, too; blowouts are a bit too infrequent, but I don't play every game, so I figure simming roughly half the games, I get a decent balance. For me, the difference between winning and losing is usually my own execution and commitment to doing things the right way--execute well and follow the game plan (or change it up in a GOOD way), I'll usually win; execute poorly, deviate from my plans (in a bad way), I will lose, or if I win, it's just luck (or Hinske--having a left handed power hitter on the bench is a pretty good strategy, in and of itself).

[derelictojama]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

... and reading around some more (there's always more to read) I find that indeed all of the points I spent so many words getting to above are actually made much, much better by you, heroes, in the classic pitching discussion. So... I tried. I'm not wrong, of course, just long-winded and unoriginal.

[xboxxerx]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

In regards to the bullpen, I would be interested to see how guys run their rosters NL franchise versus AL franchises.

I currently run a Angels 'chise. I run a 7 man bullpen. 1 long reliever, 4 middle relievers ( 2 lefties/ 2 righties), 1 SU, and a closer. My bench is a 4 person crew consisting of a OF,
M-INF, a corner guy, and catcher.

I am sure its tougher for NL guys to organize their roster cause you need to plan more situational. But, I myself have taken the LaRussa approach with the bullpen.

Btw. Great topic. My bullpen as many that I have read, has their ups and downs. No real problem pulling starters early or late. Just the bullpen getting the ball from starter to closer. I do like/use the idea of warming up multiple pitchers. I usually start stretching them out in the 5th.

[Bobhead]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I have 7 in my pen right now also, but I will probably send someone down and call up another position player, as I'm finding I'm not really needing all 7 guys... Tampa franchise... I'm running the starter into the 7th inning pretty much every game.

It's to the point where I've been using my middle relievers in the 8th inning in close games, just because my middle relievers have a cumulative total of like 10 innings pitched. I'm 30 games in.

[KingV2k3]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

I have been popping in and out of this (really informative) thread, so apologies if this one was already mentioned:

When you go 3-0 to ANY decent hitter...

WALK HIM WITH AN INTENTIONAL BALL FOUR!!!



The AI seems to love it, and instead of you next pitch being a meatball, it usually ends up being a double play inducing grounder to the next batter...

Overall:

The game LOVES AND REWARDS traditional baseball strategy...bordering on the conservative / old skool approaches to L/R splits (with regard to both relief pitching and pinch hitting) and late inning defensive upgrades...

Oh yeah...

ALWAYS use your warm up pitches, because you'll see the confidence bars increase with each practice strike thrown...

You also get a sense of whether he's locating, but I find that sometimes the "opposite" happens when you get in game...

Poor location practice, suddenly locates well, and vice versa...

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Great OP, great comments all along the way. So, since this thread was actually started for last year's game, what do we think of the bullpen management/pitcher confidence issue? Still the same this year? If they're going to have confidence as such a focal point, the confidence carry-over for bullpen pitchers should be more noticeable... if Kimbrel hasn't blown a save all year, has a hot streak going, era under 1.00... his confidence should be full the minute he walks into the game. My opinion, of course, but isn't that what great relievers do? Walk into the game and just take it over with their attitude as much as their stuff (I mean, Brian Wilson's beard didn't make his pitches better, but it sure did make him seem a lot scarier. Without that beard he is not very scary.).

As for strategies, someone mentioned it somewhere above (last year... forgive me for not digging for the exact quote; it's in there somewhere), USE YOUR WARM UP PITCHES. I have no proof of this but my own experience, but I know that as you throw different warm up pitches, the confidence rating on them varies. I figure, if I'm bringing in Kimbrell, I'm gonna have him throw the FB like 6 times, and throw the 2 breaking pitches 1 time each, jack up that confidence in the FB. Someone prove me wrong if you can, but I swear, it makes a difference. Plus, you do get to see what kind of "stuff" the guy has that day.

I'm so much better at pitching (whether I use classic or meter, which I go back and forth on) than hitting, that most of my losses come from an inability to get the key hit. I'll dink and dunk a guy for 9 hits over 6 innings, and work a few walks, but hit into that timely double play or get stuck in a pitcher's count and end up leaving runners in scoring position, take that close 3rd strike, drive up the pitcher's confidence. Some of it is just baseball, but some of it is me, getting too jacked up and forgetting everything I know about the fundamentals. So my main strategy is to really try to get that starter rattled early--drive up pitch counts, be really aggressive on the bases, play small ball ridiculously early--and then, if it works, I can usually put a big inning together in the gap between the starter getting tired and the reliever getting in the game, 5th or 6th, and then I have a chance of getting into a groove and putting the game away.

I also always, ALWAYS get my relievers up and throwing in the 5th/at least the 6th. I don't care if the guy's throwing a no hitter and I'm up 10-0 (well, that's a bit extreme, but you know...), I'm getting somebody up and throwing. If the game's close, it'll be a strategic decision, if it's not, I'll just make sure I at least have the long guy loosening up (love "stretch and toss!"). I almost always get a lefty and a righty throwing (having 2 lefties is not just a good strategy I think it's an absolute necessity--thankfully with Venters and OFlaherty, I'm good), no telling at what point the starter is going to run out of gas. Now what I don't know for sure, is what if any effect that has on the bullpen--I mean, I think Livan has warmed up for me at some point in virtually every game I've played with the Braves so far (end of July), and he never seems to get tired unless I actually bring him into the game (that could just be Livan, he's apparently something more than human).

I win more than I lose, but most of my wins are pretty close, and most of my losses are, too; blowouts are a bit too infrequent, but I don't play every game, so I figure simming roughly half the games, I get a decent balance. For me, the difference between winning and losing is usually my own execution and commitment to doing things the right way--execute well and follow the game plan (or change it up in a GOOD way), I'll usually win; execute poorly, deviate from my plans (in a bad way), I will lose, or if I win, it's just luck (or Hinske--having a left handed power hitter on the bench is a pretty good strategy, in and of itself).

These are really good points and well articulated with very specific examples.

Whether or not anyone made these points already, a post like this is worth sharing because your advice is solid.

These things can never be written about too much on OS. Comeback code is such a popular topic that reminders like this are very refreshing. Thank you for sharing.

[thaSLAB]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

These are really good points and well articulated with very specific examples.

Whether or not anyone made these points already, a post like this is worth sharing because your advice is solid.

These things can never be written about too much on OS. Comeback code is such a popular topic that reminders like this are very refreshing. Thank you for sharing.

My sentiments exactly. Great post all around, derelictojama! IMO, when you are making excellent points, a post never seems to come off as long-winded. I read through it completely, and never even considered how many words were there.

[pokerplaya]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

My sentiments exactly. Great post all around, derelictojama! IMO, when you are making excellent points, a post never seems to come off as long-winded. I read through it completely, and never even considered how many words were there.

Yup, walls of text are easily scaled by the Top OS'ers.

[Bobhead]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

For me, the difference between winning and losing is usually my own execution and commitment to doing things the right way...

The entire post was great, but this one sentence definitely stood out for me. I can't even think of what to say about it other than that I agree 10,000%.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

The entire post was great, but this one sentence definitely stood out for me. I can't even think of what to say about it other than that I agree 10,000%.

You could reward him by re-posting the screenshot of your no-no.

That is, if your refrigerator is near by...

Post of the year...I'm still laughing!

[HechticSooner]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

After reading the highlighted part about execution it also reminded me to say this, when you are in tight spots SLOW DOWN! Don't keep hitting the X too move through the scenes and get in the box/on the mound right away, all it does is make your patience go out the window. Let the game move at a slower pace and I bet you'll find yourself much more patient in those high stress situations.

[derelictojama]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Earlier tonight had a beautiful game, Braves at Phils, Hanson vs. Halladay, tight pitchers' duel, couldn't hit Halladay's cutter (my timing was all off, too early too late, couldn't time it) but I worked the count mercilessly (worked a walk with Hanson!), got him over 90 pitches by the 6th, finally timed the cutter with Chipper, pulled a double down the first base line, rattled Halladay, worked a 3-2 count with McCann, barely (I mean BARELY) caught a high, inside cutter and eked it over the RF wall, won 2-0 with Hanson pitching a gem, 8 scoreless, Kimbrel easy save. Loved it. The difference was I was patient all day (except the 1st inning; stupid 8 pitch first inning!), and finally he left 2 pitches where I could hit them, and I was in position to take advantage. Using heroesandvillains classing pitching tips didn't hurt, either.

[js3512]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

Nice post and some good tips. Got anything for when a five month old controller that has been treated like gold suddenly starts making your fielders run right when you're holding down left? (And buying a new controller isn't in the equation for at least a month until bills are paid)

[wisdom less13]

Re: The Difference Between Wins & Losses (Tips)

If people read this thread thoroughly, they would increase their game immensely and we wouldn't have so many needless threads. Hell, I play this game as much as I can and come back and reference it just to help me remember key things. The one thing I always preach is DEFENSIVE SHIFTS. Especially late in games. The CPU almost never plays to guard the lines against the doubles. Those are the hits that end up killing me, the ones down the lines. Not so much home runs, because those are usually my fault. We need a thread with all of the help threads links in them to cut down on the "How do I use a power swing?" threads...Happy Showing, people