CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

[DarwinB]

In my practice season prior to osfm rosters, I played as the Yankees on AllStar. I was struggling on HOF so moved down a level to see what results I would get. So far I played the first 3-game series against the Rays and the first 2 games of the Baltimore series.

My scores were:

NY 4 - TB 3 (cpu - 3-run homer)
NY 9 - TB 2 (cpu - 2-run homer)
TB 4 - NY 2 (cpu - 2 2-run homers)
NY 6 - Balt 3 (cpu - 3 solo homers)
NY 8 - Balt 2 (cpu - 1 solo homer)

My batting average is .265. Of my 48 hits, I have 11 doubles, 1 triple and 8 homers. So I think my hitting stats prove to me that I should definately start my season on AllStar.

My era is 2.86 so far. Maybe a little too low, but not bad given the teams I have played against.

The issue I have is that every cpu run but 1 has come off a homerun. My runs have come from a bit more variety, but still the majority from homers.

My hitting sliders are:


human/cpu

contact 4/4 (I lowered human to 4 after 5 innings - and hit 2 hrs)
power 5/5
timing 6/5 (will likely lower human to 5 if I stay on AS)
foul freq 5/4
solid hits 4/4

Are any of you experiencing the same thing I am in that the cpu is scoring almost all of their runs via the homer? Or is it different on HOF and Legend levels?

Yes, 5 games may be a small sample size, but I don't really like the trend

[nomo17k]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

I don't think this is an issue... on average, a team would hit one HR per game. So at least one run comes from a HR each game (on average). You just gave those up with men on base, and they didn't hit well in other opportunities.

Another thing to watch out for is how many walks you are issuing. If you aren't issuing 3 - 4 walks per game to CPU, that'll roughly take 1 - 2 runs away from him easily every game.

[DarwinB]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

I don't think this is an issue... on average, a team would hit one HR per game. So at least one run comes from a HR each game (on average). You just gave those up with men on base, and they didn't hit well in other opportunities.

Another thing to watch out for is how many walks you are issuing. If you aren't issuing 3 - 4 walks per game to CPU, that'll roughly take 1 - 2 runs away from him easily every game.

That is a good point nomo (I always appreciate your input). I issued 3,0,2,0,3 walks respectively in these games. My human strike percentage was 65,68,68,75,66 in these games. I think that is likely too high - however I never feel very threatened against the cpu on allstar. Therefore, I don't always feel I need to waste pitches or intentionally throw too many pitches out of the strike zone. My k's were 11,9,5,9,6 in those games. I lowered human control to 4 and had consistency at 5 for the last game and I did issue 3 walks - but only gave up 2 runs

After winning the first 2 games against the Rays I went back up to HOF for a game. I lost 10-3 to the Rays. I gave up 4 doubles and 2 homers (obviously not all the runs scored on homers). Ironically my 3 runs came on 3 solo homers. I walked him 5 times and k'd him 7 times.
I guess I am stuck in the middle of AS and HOF. I find pitching on AS maybe a little too easy and HOF a little too tough. I wish there was a HOF-lite level!!

With the osfm rosters coming out in a few days I need to decide which level I am going to play my season on. The Yankees and D'backs (my NL team) both have good teams and should compete for playoff spots this year. So me being 4-1 with the Yankees isn't unreasonable to start the season. But I just didn't really feel challenged on AS. After 1 more game against the Orioles I play the Angels so that will be a better test. The practice games I played on HOF with the D'backs and Yankees were tougher - with my BA around .230, my era around 4.20 and I only won about half the games I played.

I like to be challenged and feel like I earned my victories and homers - but I also want the Yankees and D'backs to have realistic win/loss records and they both should be in the top 10 in most hitting categories - I'm not sure that would be the case if I play on HOF.

[nomo17k]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Maybe you are at HoF for pitching, and AS is maybe too easy for you. If you use waste pitches more you either issue a bit more walks... or you'll get punished a bit more by throwing too many strikes.

[decga]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

@ DarwinB
Try playing the game with the default sliders on All-Star. Now I must say, if you are hanging or throwing mistake pitches in the zone it can be homerun city..

I played a game yesterday. I beat the O's 7-4. They did not hit any homers. Actually I was the one stroking the longball, 4HR's.

Remember it is baseball. Every game will be different. I think when playing this game and you want to be a winner. You must take time at the plate and on the mound..

[bdhill78]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

The pitching in this version is much more 'realistic' in that control and clutch factor in a lot more I think. I'm definitely walking more than I had done in the past versions. The AI will nail you if hang around the strike zone too much. The upside is is that the computer will chase a bit more. I usually end up walking 2-3 batters a game whereas last year I could go games without walking anyone. Makes more intriguing.

I usually get nailed piecemeal. I give up a double, then the next batter gets a long single or something like that. With Big Pelf though, I'm doing my part to boost HR totals for Heyward and Uggla. Jason Werth also likes Big Pelf too. For some reason, no one wants him. Maybe the trade logic isn't so bad after all...

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Darwin,

AS Default is a new love of mine. There's nothing oddball about it; meaning I never feel like it isn't just baseball at it's core.

In years past, I definitely saw some annoying trends (in 10, for example, I felt that batting average was too dependent on the power attribute), but this year's game is so remarkably balanced.

My doubles numbers are a little low, but otherwise, everything is within the margin of errors. And best of all, I look forward to sitting down and playing atleast one game every single day.

Quick question: Have you considered Classic pitching at all? On Default AS, it's a thing of beauty.

[Bobhead]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

While I definitely do see too many home runs from the CPU, it's important to note the teams you are facing. Real life Tampa Bay might have a weak offense, but when they do win, odds are there were quite a few home runs in the picture, as hitters 2-9 are literally taking home run swings all day. I say this because I'm a Tampa Bay fan, and honestly night after night the team either gets shutout or hits like 3 home runs.

See for yourself. Last year they were 10th in MLB for home runs. That might not seem like a lot, but they were twenty-seventh in the majors for total hits. That means only 3 teams hit worse than they did (five if you go by BA and not total hits). Think about what that means for their HRs-to-hits ratio.

Baltimore ranked 4th in the majors with 191 home runs; that statement requires no fancy explanation.

So in summary, you absolutely should have seen a lot of home runs in the 5 games you listed.

[DarwinB]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Darwin,

AS Default is a new love of mine. There's nothing oddball about it; meaning I never feel like it isn't just baseball at it's core.

In years past, I definitely saw some annoying trends (in 10, for example, I felt that batting average was too dependent on the power attribute), but this year's game is so remarkably balanced.

My doubles numbers are a little low, but otherwise, everything is within the margin of errors. And best of all, I look forward to sitting down and playing atleast one game every single day.

Quick question: Have you considered Classic pitching at all? On Default AS, it's a thing of beauty.

Interesting. I moved up to HOF to play the third game of my Baltimore series. After 7 innings I am winning 3-1. CC is dominant giving up only 3 hits. They scored on a fielders choice. I have only 6 hits, against Britton - 3 being solo homers by Jeter, Jones and Ibanez. But it just doesn't feel right. I think this year's HOF might be a little too much for me.

Heroes - are you playing AS with every slider at default? I would need to lower pitch speed to 2 and injuries to 3, but that is just personal preference. What about sliders like fielder reaction, arm strength, reliever stamina, strike frequency, that usually need adjusting every year?

Have you been playing on HOF and have just recently decided to move to AS? As far as classic pitching goes, to be honest I have never tried it. I have always used meter, simply because I thought it seemed the easiest. I'm an old man so my eyesight isn't as good anymore and it is true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks!!

[DarwinB]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Interesting. I moved up to HOF to play the third game of my Baltimore series. After 7 innings I am winning 3-1. CC is dominant giving up only 3 hits. They scored on a fielders choice. I have only 6 hits, against Britton - 3 being solo homers by Jeter, Jones and Ibanez. But it just doesn't feel right. I think this year's HOF might be a little too much for me.

Heroes - are you playing AS with every slider at default? I would need to lower pitch speed to 2 and injuries to 3, but that is just personal preference. What about sliders like fielder reaction, arm strength, reliever stamina, strike frequency, that usually need adjusting every year?

Have you been playing on HOF and have just recently decided to move to AS? As far as classic pitching goes, to be honest I have never tried it. I have always used meter, simply because I thought it seemed the easiest. I'm an old man so my eyesight isn't as good anymore and it is true that you can't teach an old dog new tricks!!

So I finish the game I was playing on HOF and I end up winning 6-3. I ended up with 11 hits (1 double and 3 homers), 5BB and 6 k's. The cpu had 6 hits (1 double and 1 homer), 1 BB and 4 k's. Now all of a sudden I think these were realistic results and maybe I should stay on HOF with my current slider set? My strike % was 63, so even though I only walked 1 batter, the % is realistic. The cpu strike % was 59, and that seems realistic to me as well.

I think I need to start my season on HOR and play 15-20 games and then see what my stats look like. If they aren't realistic then I will go down to AS default (and probably start over!)

I can't wait until I FINALLY settle on a difficulty!!

[ParisB]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

To the OP, I'm seeing more of the opposite. I get peppered with singles by the CPU. I can have 2 quick outs, but then the CPU starts slapping them up the middle all day.

I escape a lot of the times, so I see a lot of box scores where I give up 3 or 4 runs but also give up 13 or 14 hits.

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Darwin,

I'm on AS Default with only Pitch Speed 3, Fielding Errors 6, SB Frequency 7 (or 8), and Injuries at 6.

I've given up 11 HR's over my first 11 games.

I have however hit something like 17 or 18 HR's but (A) I don't mind if I lead the league in HR's because, well, I'm the Yankees and (B) I'M THE YANKEES!!! LOL!

My team ERA is only just over 3.00 because CC has been brilliant. Period. Aside from Hughes, the other three have ERA's near or over 5.00.

Again, only 11 HR's allowed. I don't see anything wonky there.

But...considering whom I play as (and considering I just went HR bonkers during a homestand) I may be more tolerant of hitting 1.5 HR's per game over a season than people that use other teams. But I'd wager if I used another team and hit in another park, HR's would be much lower. MUCH MUCH lower.

I've played a few mock seasons too (same settings) and generally struggle a bit to go deep in places not named Yankee Stadium.

[DarwinB]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Darwin,

I'm on AS Default with only Pitch Speed 3, Fielding Errors 6, SB Frequency 7 (or 8), and Injuries at 6.

I've given up 11 HR's over my first 11 games.

I have however hit something like 17 or 18 HR's but (A) I don't mind if I lead the league in HR's because, well, I'm the Yankees and (B) I'M THE YANKEES!!! LOL!

My team ERA is only just over 3.00 because CC has been brilliant. Period. Aside from Hughes, the other three have ERA's near or over 5.00.

Again, only 11 HR's allowed. I don't see anything wonky there.

But...considering whom I play as (and considering I just went HR bonkers during a homestand) I may be more tolerant of hitting 1.5 HR's per game over a season than people that use other teams. But I'd wager if I used another team and hit in another park, HR's would be much lower. MUCH MUCH lower.

I've played a few mock seasons too (same settings) and generally struggle a bit to go deep in places not named Yankee Stadium.

Thanks Heroes. I too play as the Yankees and would feel no shame in leading the league in homers (except sometimes last year when I hit 6 in a game a couple of times). But your numbers look pretty good.

However. I am still undecided which level to play on. As I have said, I want to be challenged and feel that I have earned my victories, but the Yankees should definately be world series contenders and win a majority of their games - I am not sure I would do this on HOF (at least in the beginning). Or maybe I might get the wins, but the offensive numbers might be too low.

Did you play games on HOF begore deciding to move to HOF, or have you always played on AS?? If I do decide to play on AS, I will use default and lower pitch speed to 2, injuries to 3, and fielding errors to 6. I don't usuallymess around with steal frequency, baserunner speed, pickoffs, etc)

Thanks for your input

[Heroesandvillains]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

Darwin,

I played on HOF or higher virtually exclusively since 09.

This year, I decided to give AS a crack and have seen no need to change it. At times it feels brutally easy, and at times it has feels brutally hard. Read and re-read that last sentence and then carry on.

It feels just like real baseball.

On HOF in years past, I realized that every moment was just so intense that I sometimes would go to bed with video game anxiety. Not because I'm a weirdo or anything, but because it's only natural to be tense after an hour and a half of tensity (albeit, the fun kind).

This year I decided to dive in, but with more of a relaxed mindset. Fortunately, AS feel much more challenging than I ever remember so I'm thrilled by the added bonus of statistical realism! LOL!

All that said, if you use Meter pitching and insist on it for the time being, I'm not so necessarily eager about you jumping the HOF pitching ship. I've always found meter too easy under HOF level. But, then again, I haven't used it this year so you'll have to see for yourself.

You said you were old. Right? Go into exhibition and just try Classic on AS. Humor me for ten minutes.

I know your wife will probably want to shoot me for suggesting that. Forget sliders man and just pick a difficulty and interface and play. Best decision I ever made.

But if you're insisting on Meter, stay on HOF atleast for pitching. If you want to give AS pitching a go, try out Classic.

[Pared]

Re: CPU only scores runs by hitting homers??

I smile when I read that - "just play."

Such a foreign concept that can be surprisingly effective this year....