DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective & CPU plays "fairer" game

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective & CPU plays "fairer" game

Well Doc, Im going to give it some more time of course but the early impressions havent been good. Im using your sliders 100% and am 2-1 in my franchise with Seattle. Its not that Im 2-1 thats completely unreasonable but Ive outscored Minnesota 21-5 in the last 2 games while just killing the ball, Beltre has hit 2 homeruns, Branyan 1 and Gutierrez 1 as well. The funny thing is I had been using guess pitch throughout my entire franchise as the Dodgers and my offense was right in line with what you would expect, and my power numbers were a little low even, in these 3 games Ive thrown guess pitch out the window and am just reading and reacting and suddenly Im much better so for all those people that claim guess pitch is a "cheat" I point this out as evidence otherwise.

The Chef! What's up brotha.
Well, it looks like you're raking the ball, lol. Honestly, though, I have had some series like that where I just raked and thought maybe I was getting too good for my sliders, but gave it more time and got shutout, blownout the next few series, etc. I even had quite a losing streak going for a while which sucked. Give these sliders at least 10 games before you give up on them. But, then again, maybe you are just getting really good now.

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective & CPU plays "fairer" game

wsup doc,

through 10 games 5-5 with the bucs..(loving the sliders) because they sure do bring out the pirates LOL...i watch every game on tv and i swear this game plays just like them..we struggle to score runs the pitching keeps us in the game for the most part we may break out one game and score some runs and the next get shut down by (Brian Moehler) oooh god how frustrating that was and if matt capps blows one more save LOL uugh but hey when i say its pirates baseball its pirates baseball..i'll keep you posted on the progression of the season but so far some stats
(not accurate..cuz im at work lol)
ryan doumit .340 4hr 11rbi
adam laroche .320's 3hr 8rbi
ross ohlendorf 2-0 2.23 era
freddy sanchez .330 Avg
---------------------------
Andrew McCutchen .182 avg 2sb
Andy LaRoche .190 clip 1hr
Garrett Jones 260's 0hr
Paul Maholm 0-0 ERA under 2 (hard luck pitcher)
Matt Capps 1 save 2 blown (only one cost me the game we came back in the other)
-----------------------------
so there is my good and bad when i get home maybe i'll give the complete accurate stats as well

Yea, you've nailed the Pirates down cold. Paul Maholm certainly has been hard luck. Doumit, LaRoche and Sanchez are raking for you. Good stuff, young_bucs_fan
I'm 3.5 games behind the Astros in my Cubs season. For some reason the Astros are doing good in my Franchise, lol.

[ehh]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective & CPU plays "fairer" game

Man I wish I tried these sliders a long, long time ago. They are absolutely amazing. I've had such a love/hate relationship with The Show the last three years and finally I have become addicted to it. I popped these sliders in four days ago and since then I have played 13 games in that time span. Prior to that I had went six weeks without touching 09, I had given up on it.

These do an amazing job of making the game feel fair as your title states. It eliminated all of the cheesy problems I had (CPU could still pinpoint pitches too often esp when they needed it, user breaking balls had horrible control, a well placed fastball didn't mean much - the CPU would still crush it too often, more doubles, better game variety).

I simmed to the end of season one in my Yankee franchise. I had played every game until the end of May when I put the game on ice for a while. I won the wild card while Boston won the division. I took care of the Angels 3-1 while Boston swept the White Sox, setting up another Yanks/Sox clash in the ALCS. This thing was monumental, as crazy of a video game series as I've ever had.

Game 1 @ Fenway: Penny vs Sabathia

I started things off right against the washed up Penny, scoring five first inning runs. Jeter and Damon got on in the first and after A-Rod struck out, Manny (yes I traded for Manny, hehe) crushed the first pitch he saw over the top of the CF wall for a 3-0 lead. Xavier Nady followed a few batters latter with a monster two run shot over the Green Monster to make it 5-0. But in typical Yankee/Red Sox fashion, this thing was far from over. Youk launched a 3-run homer off CC in the bottom of the first to immediately make interesting. In the top of the 4th I added five more runs to take a 10-3 lead but Boston answered with four of their own to make it 10-7. I finally put things out of reach on a Texieria 3-run homer in the 8th and went on to win 14-8. Jason Bay had two homers for Boston.

Manny's Homer

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Game 2 @ Fenway: Lester vs Burnett
Complete opposite of the Game 1 slugfest. Lester had a no-hitter through five innings, Burnett had allowed one run in the first but was also outstanding. My lone scoring output for the night came in the 6th inning when with two on and two outs Tex took a low and away fastball and hooked it up and over the Green Monster for a 3-1 lead. The score remained that way until the 9th when the game ended in dramatic fashion with Nady throwing out Pedroia at home for the final out. He tried to barrel over Posada but Jorge hung on. Burnett was marvelous, making up for his subpar regular season with a huge victory. I had taken both games in Boston and held a firm grip on the series, or at least I thought.


Tex's 3-run shot

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Nady's assist ends Game 2

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Game 3 @ Yankee Stadium: Dice-K vs Joba

Another pitcher's duel, this time Boston walked away with the 3-1 victory in a crucial game for them. Dice-K flirted with disaster all night but pitched 7 2/3 innings and allowed only one run. Joba was hurt by the long ball, giving up two solo homers, another one off the bat of Jason Bay. Pedroia hit the other.

Game 4 @ Yankee Stadium: Beckett vs Pettitte

I had to wait until Game 4 to see the postseason master of the 2000's. Becket was indeed masterful, 8 1/3 innings of shut out ball, 11 K's. I loaded the bases in the 9th but Cano struck out vs Papelbon as Boston won 3-0 to tie the series at 2-2. His curveball was insane and every few innings I'd check his pitch chart - hardly any balls that weren't on the black or a ball, insane. So in my first two games at home I scored a combined 1 run in 18 innings against Boston's big guns. A far cry from my huge Game 1 outburst.

Game 5 @ Yankee Stadium: CC vs Smoltz

Boston had regained momentum and homefield advantage by winning Games 3 and 4 in NY. I needed a big start out of my off-season prize and staff ace and I got it, well after Jason Bay hit another homer, this time in the first inning for a 2-run shot after an A-Rod error allowed the inning to continue. After that CC was lights out, Boston didn't score another run. Manny hit a 2-run homer to give me 3-2 lead in the 5th and things fell apart there for Boston. I went on to win 10-2 and move to within one game of the pennant. Only problem was that I had to head back to Boston to face Lester and then Beckett if it went to Game 7.

Game 6 @ Fenway: Lester vs Burnett

A bit of a carbon copy of Game 5, just flip the teams around. Burnett started off great once again, not allowing a hit through 4 innings and racking up six K's. However, his control completely disappeared in the 5th inning. He walked three batters and allowed six runs in the frame giving Boston a commanding 6-0 lead. Boston would move out to an 8-0 lead before the I got to Lester in the 6th with five runs to make it interesting at 8-5. Boston tacked on two more runs in the 8th, I rallied for 3 in the 9th before Papelbon was brought in to make seal it for Boston, 10-8. On to Game 7.

Game 7 @ Fenway: Joba vs Beckett

The Steinbrenner's said they wanted Joba to be a starter so he could, 'Be our Beckett". Well, here was his chance to prove it. Beckett had a 0.65 ERA in 19 innings in the post season entering the game. Both pitchers were going on short rest but you couldn't tell early. Joba was actually the more impressive pitcher earlier on with 8 K's and two hits through five innings. His fastball was insane, blazing away at the corners for K after K. Beckett only allowed one hit, an A-Rod double. Things started to go for Joba in the 6th as he began to fatigue. He hung a curveball to Youk which wound up on Landsdowne Street, giving Boston a 2-0, not a good sign since I hadn't scored against Beckett in 14+ innings during the series. I finally came through in the 7th, Johnny Damon had a bloop single, A-Rod walked, Manny struck out and then Tex lined an RBI single to center. 3-1. Posada follwed up with a clutch 2-out single, 3-2.

I got a few guys on base in the 8th inning but failed to score as Matsui stranded a runner on third - off to the 9th against Papelbon with the ALCS on the line. The first pitch I saw with Posada was a meatball and I jumped on it, launching it deep to CF. It hit the top of the wall just to the left of the 420-ft sign, any other stadium in baseball and it's a tie game. So Jorge is on 2nd with no one out, I pinch run Brett Gardner. Nady is up next and grounds to 2nd while Gardner moves to 3rd, one away. Cano steps in, rips one down the line at first but right at Youk, two away. There were several curse words being yelled after that one.

In steps the captain, Derek Jeter. It's been nearly a decade since his clutch post season heroics were last seen - and it remained that way. I dinked a 2-2 slider to third, Lowell had to go back on it though but had plenty of time. He set his feet, let the ball go and zoooooom, it flies over Youk's head for an error! In comes Gardner to tie the game! Shades of Bill Buckner!!

Extra frames were tense, I stranded runners at 3rd on two seperate occasions, Boston did the same. Finally it was the 13th inning and Matsui was up. This was only the 2nd game in the series Matsui had played in, I had been going with Melky for his defense but after the anemic offensive performances in Games 3 & 4 I gave Matsui a shot in Game 5, then again in Game 7. He delievered for me, launching a meatball into the bullpen in right center. 4-3. Three more outs til the World Series.

I had used Sabathia to pitch the 12th and since Ellsbury was leading off I let him have the lefty/lefty match up before bringing in Rivera. Ellsbury K's on a nasty slurve from CC. So in comes Mo against Pedroia, one away. Mo apparently wasn't warmed up, four straight balls with his cutter. In steps Big Papi, the ALCS on the line. I throw one cutter up and in, swing and a miss. Another cutter misses in, as does a four-seamer low and away. I come back in with a cutter and Papi can't get around on it, hits one right at Cano who fields, flips to Jeter at second who fires it over to Tex to end the game!

Phew! What a Game 7, what a series!

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Thank you again for making these! For the first time I can say I'm finally addicted to The Show.

[Guffers]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

I also thank you Doc. I've been playing this game since release and have never tried sliders (other than lowering pitch and fielder speed) But your sliders have been a revelation. I played 3 exhibition games last night and this morning to see how they felt and I have to say that I love them, even though I lost all 3.

I expected to smash the ball around with the power slider up but it didn't happen at all. I managed to scatter some hits and 2 homers across the 3 games but never scored above 5 runs.

I absolutely love the fact that the CPU can't paint the corners when their confidence is depleted. (Just like myself) That felt a little cheap on default allstar. I'm working more walks now but am still finding it difficult to spot breaking balls when they drop out of the zone. I played the Giants and Lincecum's curve is absolutely brutal most times. It looks like its over the plate and then BAM! it drops away.

So thanks Doc, you've made a stellar game even better in my eyes and I'm even tempted to start up a new franchise with these.

[Shadymamba]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

Man I wish I tried these sliders a long, long time ago. They are absolutely amazing. I've had such a love/hate relationship with The Show the last three years and finally I have become addicted to it. I popped these sliders in four days ago and since then I have played 13 games in that time span. Prior to that I had went six weeks without touching 09, I had given up on it.

These do an amazing job of making the game feel fair as your title states. It eliminated all of the cheesy problems I had (CPU could still pinpoint pitches too often esp when they needed it, user breaking balls had horrible control, a well placed fastball didn't mean much - the CPU would still crush it too often, more doubles, better game variety).

I simmed to the end of season one in my Yankee franchise. I had played every game until the end of May when I put the game on ice for a while. I won the wild card while Boston won the division. I took care of the Angels 3-1 while Boston swept the White Sox, setting up another Yanks/Sox clash in the ALCS. This thing was monumental, as crazy of a video game series as I've ever had.

Game 1 @ Fenway: Penny vs Sabathia

I started things off right against the washed up Penny, scoring five first inning runs. Jeter and Damon got on in the first and after A-Rod struck out, Manny (yes I traded for Manny, hehe) crushed the first pitch he saw over the top of the CF wall for a 3-0 lead. Xavier Nady followed a few batters latter with a monster two run shot over the Green Monster to make it 5-0. But in typical Yankee/Red Sox fashion, this thing was far from over. Youk launched a 3-run homer off CC in the bottom of the first to immediately make interesting. In the top of the 4th I added five more runs to take a 10-3 lead but Boston answered with four of their own to make it 10-7. I finally put things out of reach on a Texieria 3-run homer in the 8th and went on to win 14-8. Jason Bay had two homers for Boston.

Manny's Homer

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Game 2 @ Fenway: Lester vs Burnett
Complete opposite of the Game 1 slugfest. Lester had a no-hitter through five innings, Burnett had allowed one run in the first but was also outstanding. My lone scoring output for the night came in the 6th inning when with two on and two outs Tex took a low and away fastball and hooked it up and over the Green Monster for a 3-1 lead. The score remained that way until the 9th when the game ended in dramatic fashion with Nady throwing out Pedroia at home for the final out. He tried to barrel over Posada but Jorge hung on. Burnett was marvelous, making up for his subpar regular season with a huge victory. I had taken both games in Boston and held a firm grip on the series, or at least I thought.


Tex's 3-run shot

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Nady's assist ends Game 2

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Game 3 @ Yankee Stadium: Dice-K vs Joba

Another pitcher's duel, this time Boston walked away with the 3-1 victory in a crucial game for them. Dice-K flirted with disaster all night but pitched 7 2/3 innings and allowed only one run. Joba was hurt by the long ball, giving up two solo homers, another one off the bat of Jason Bay. Pedroia hit the other.

Game 4 @ Yankee Stadium: Beckett vs Pettitte

I had to wait until Game 4 to see the postseason master of the 2000's. Becket was indeed masterful, 8 1/3 innings of shut out ball, 11 K's. I loaded the bases in the 9th but Cano struck out vs Papelbon as Boston won 3-0 to tie the series at 2-2. His curveball was insane and every few innings I'd check his pitch chart - hardly any balls that weren't on the black or a ball, insane. So in my first two games at home I scored a combined 1 run in 18 innings against Boston's big guns. A far cry from my huge Game 1 outburst.

Game 5 @ Yankee Stadium: CC vs Smoltz

Boston had regained momentum and homefield advantage by winning Games 3 and 4 in NY. I needed a big start out of my off-season prize and staff ace and I got it, well after Jason Bay hit another homer, this time in the first inning for a 2-run shot after an A-Rod error allowed the inning to continue. After that CC was lights out, Boston didn't score another run. Manny hit a 2-run homer to give me 3-2 lead in the 5th and things fell apart there for Boston. I went on to win 10-2 and move to within one game of the pennant. Only problem was that I had to head back to Boston to face Lester and then Beckett if it went to Game 7.

Game 6 @ Fenway: Lester vs Burnett

A bit of a carbon copy of Game 5, just flip the teams around. Burnett started off great once again, not allowing a hit through 4 innings and racking up six K's. However, his control completely disappeared in the 5th inning. He walked three batters and allowed six runs in the frame giving Boston a commanding 6-0 lead. Boston would move out to an 8-0 lead before the I got to Lester in the 6th with five runs to make it interesting at 8-5. Boston tacked on two more runs in the 8th, I rallied for 3 in the 9th before Papelbon was brought in to make seal it for Boston, 10-8. On to Game 7.

Game 7 @ Fenway: Joba vs Beckett

The Steinbrenner's said they wanted Joba to be a starter so he could, 'Be our Beckett". Well, here was his chance to prove it. Beckett had a 0.65 ERA in 19 innings in the post season entering the game. Both pitchers were going on short rest but you couldn't tell early. Joba was actually the more impressive pitcher earlier on with 8 K's and two hits through five innings. His fastball was insane, blazing away at the corners for K after K. Beckett only allowed one hit, an A-Rod double. Things started to go for Joba in the 6th as he began to fatigue. He hung a curveball to Youk which wound up on Landsdowne Street, giving Boston a 2-0, not a good sign since I hadn't scored against Beckett in 14+ innings during the series. I finally came through in the 7th, Johnny Damon had a bloop single, A-Rod walked, Manny struck out and then Tex lined an RBI single to center. 3-1. Posada follwed up with a clutch 2-out single, 3-2.

I got a few guys on base in the 8th inning but failed to score as Matsui stranded a runner on third - off to the 9th against Papelbon with the ALCS on the line. The first pitch I saw with Posada was a meatball and I jumped on it, launching it deep to CF. It hit the top of the wall just to the left of the 420-ft sign, any other stadium in baseball and it's a tie game. So Jorge is on 2nd with no one out, I pinch run Brett Gardner. Nady is up next and grounds to 2nd while Gardner moves to 3rd, one away. Cano steps in, rips one down the line at first but right at Youk, two away. There were several curse words being yelled after that one.

In steps the captain, Derek Jeter. It's been nearly a decade since his clutch post season heroics were last seen - and it remained that way. I dinked a 2-2 slider to third, Lowell had to go back on it though but had plenty of time. He set his feet, let the ball go and zoooooom, it flies over Youk's head for an error! In comes Gardner to tie the game! Shades of Bill Buckner!!

Extra frames were tense, I stranded runners at 3rd on two seperate occasions, Boston did the same. Finally it was the 13th inning and Matsui was up. This was only the 2nd game in the series Matsui had played in, I had been going with Melky for his defense but after the anemic offensive performances in Games 3 & 4 I gave Matsui a shot in Game 5, then again in Game 7. He delievered for me, launching a meatball into the bullpen in right center. 4-3. Three more outs til the World Series.

I had used Sabathia to pitch the 12th and since Ellsbury was leading off I let him have the lefty/lefty match up before bringing in Rivera. Ellsbury K's on a nasty slurve from CC. So in comes Mo against Pedroia, one away. Mo apparently wasn't warmed up, four straight balls with his cutter. In steps Big Papi, the ALCS on the line. I throw one cutter up and in, swing and a miss. Another cutter misses in, as does a four-seamer low and away. I come back in with a cutter and Papi can't get around on it, hits one right at Cano who fields, flips to Jeter at second who fires it over to Tex to end the game!

Phew! What a Game 7, what a series!

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Thank you again for making these! For the first time I can say I'm finally addicted to The Show.

Nice!!! now that is some drama there!!!!

[Shadymamba]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

3.5 back doc, thats cool not too far off the pace..i want to see if i get to 1st will the fans start coming to the park..man nobody is there half the time ha ha ha ha ha just barely over 19,000 we havent played the cubbies yet...and the astros just left town they are in 5th so far we roughed up wandy rodriguez and i was happy as H___ then the next night brian moehler comes out and shuts us down LOL..im like damn these are the bucs i swear ha ha ha ha ha so good luck to you and your cubbies doc i'll report back at the end of april or just check the site in my sig i should post some stats by aprils end

[Gagnon39]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

I've been using these sliders on RTTS and they seem to work well. However, I seem to be giving up too many home runs. If I lower the home run slider back to default (5) do you guys think this will result in fewer overall hits?

[Mikey16]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

I used these for the first last night and had a great game that ended in the 10th with the Padres against the Giants. They won 3-2. Linecum was tough.

[edmus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

Oh, the joy of statistics! Dr.Ursus, I'm still having a blast using your sliders, & getting some very memorable games. I'm 119 games into the 2009 season with the Indians. We're currently 64-55, 1/2 game out of first place. I've played 42 of the 119 games, my personal record is 19-23 (considering I started 4-11 I'm pretty happy). But there's still too much offense from both sides. I'm having so much fun that I'm not sure if I should care about unrealistic stats, but it is starting to bother me a bit.

Instead of comparing my stats to real life, I figured it would be useful to compare how I do in the games I play compared to the simmed games.

Offense
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WIDTH: 38pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl28 width=51>3B</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; WIDTH: 41pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl28 width=54>HR</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; WIDTH: 39pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl28 width=52>BB</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; WIDTH: 33pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl28 width=44>K</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; WIDTH: 62pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl28 width=82>Batting Avg</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl37 height=17>All Games</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl38 x:num>119</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>4289</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>638</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>1279</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>218</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>19</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>149</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>412</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39 x:num>755</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl39>0.298</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl25 height=17>My Totals</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl29 x:num>42</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>1532</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>229</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>486</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>69</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>8</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>56</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>114</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num>218</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl33 height=17>Per Game</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl34></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="36.476190476190474" x:fmla="=C3/$B$3">36.48</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="5.4523809523809526" x:fmla="=D3/$B$3">5.45</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="11.571428571428571" x:fmla="=E3/$B$3">11.57</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="1.6428571428571428" x:fmla="=F3/$B$3">1.64</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="0.19047619047619047" x:fmla="=G3/$B$3">0.19</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="1.3333333333333333" x:fmla="=H3/$B$3">1.33</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="2.7142857142857144" x:fmla="=I3/$B$3">2.71</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl35 x:num="5.1904761904761907" x:fmla="=J3/$B$3">5.19</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: windowtext 0.5pt solid; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl36 x:num="0.3172323759791123" x:fmla="=E4/C4">0.317</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl25 height=17>Simmed Gms</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl30 x:num x:fmla="=B2-B3">77</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=C2-C3">2757</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=D2-D3">409</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=E2-E3">793</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=F2-F3">149</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=G2-G3">11</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=H2-H3">93</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=I2-I3">298</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26 x:num x:fmla="=J2-J3">537</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl26></TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 12.75pt" height=17><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; HEIGHT: 12.75pt; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl25 height=17>Per Game</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl30></TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="35.805194805194802" x:fmla="=C5/$B$5">35.81</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="5.3116883116883118" x:fmla="=D5/$B$5">5.31</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="10.2987012987013" x:fmla="=E5/$B$5">10.30</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="1.9350649350649352" x:fmla="=F5/$B$5">1.94</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="0.14285714285714285" x:fmla="=G5/$B$5">0.14</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="1.2077922077922079" x:fmla="=H5/$B$5">1.21</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="3.8701298701298703" x:fmla="=I5/$B$5">3.87</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl31 x:num="6.9740259740259738" x:fmla="=J5/$B$5">6.97</TD><TD style="BORDER-BOTTOM: #ffffff; BORDER-LEFT: #ffffff; BACKGROUND-COLOR: transparent; BORDER-TOP: #ffffff; BORDER-RIGHT: #ffffff" class=xl32 x:num="0.28763148349655426" x:fmla="=E6/C6">0.288</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>


Overall, I think my stats look really good compared to the simmed games -- kudos to you for that! I probably cost myself quite a few doubles in my first 10-15 games while I struggled to learn the new baserunning controls, so I think 2B-3B-HR are almost perfect. As you can see, the only problem is the high batting avg. After the first 22 games I played, I reduced User contact from 5 to 4. And strangely enough, I hit .323 in the 20 games since then, compared to .312 before. I guess this is probably just due to my skill improving.

The high user batting avg has been an ongoing problem for me with the MLB series since the very beginning. Its always been a little too easy for me to get singles up the middle. At this point I figure I'll drop User contact down to 2 or 3 and see if that helps. My K's are still pretty low so it seems like I have room to lower it (they increased from 5.00 to 5.40 after lowering contact from 5 to 4).

I would consider moving up to HoF, but my pitching is still getting destroyed, even after lowering CPU power from 7 to 6. I give up an avg of 5.90 runs per game, compared to 4.65 in simmed games. The biggest problem is HRs -- in simmed games, Tribe pitching has given up only 0.88 HRs/game, while my number is 1.55! On the bright side, over the last 10 games, I've only surrendered an avg of 4.40 runs & 1.20 HRs. Hopefully the trend continues. A bean ball after back-to-back HRs seems to help! :wink:

Travis Hafner is having an incredible year for me -- too bad it doesn't mirror real life. Through 119 games, he's at .341-32HR-104RBI. He leads the league in batting avg. In the last game I played in Cleveland, the fans were chanting "MVP". Losing 6-4 in the bottom of the 8th, Shoppach hits a 2-run blast to RCF to tie it up, and in the bottom of the 9th Hafner crushes a hanging change-up to RF for a walkoff 8-6 victory!

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

i just started using sliders again. ive played for a long time with just default sliders. i have only played maybe 6 games with these sliders but so far here are my thoughts.

it really changes the game and makes it seem alot more interesting then what i am used to. i think the hitting is really dumbed down and pretty easy, ill play a months worth of games to get a better idea though. there are so many walks and good hitting counts with these sliders, so anyone who is struggling to hit will definately like this.

what ive seen is the cpu pitch confidence being destroyed making what pitch or pitches to look for easier during clutch situations. what i do really like the most though is that im finally able to score runs from singles and doubles, where before my only RBI's came from homeruns. hits and runs are pretty high i think im seeing several games where both me and the cpu are scoring 8-10 runs.

i have mixed feelings about these sliders. i like what im seeing with runners in scoring position but with the absurdly high batting averages it seems like there is always someone in scoring position.

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

Man I wish I tried these sliders a long, long time ago. They are absolutely amazing. I've had such a love/hate relationship with The Show the last three years and finally I have become addicted to it. I popped these sliders in four days ago and since then I have played 13 games in that time span. Prior to that I had went six weeks without touching 09, I had given up on it.

These do an amazing job of making the game feel fair as your title states. It eliminated all of the cheesy problems I had (CPU could still pinpoint pitches too often esp when they needed it, user breaking balls had horrible control, a well placed fastball didn't mean much - the CPU would still crush it too often, more doubles, better game variety).

I simmed to the end of season one in my Yankee franchise. I had played every game until the end of May when I put the game on ice for a while. I won the wild card while Boston won the division. I took care of the Angels 3-1 while Boston swept the White Sox, setting up another Yanks/Sox clash in the ALCS. This thing was monumental, as crazy of a video game series as I've ever had.

Game 1 @ Fenway: Penny vs Sabathia

I started things off right against the washed up Penny, scoring five first inning runs. Jeter and Damon got on in the first and after A-Rod struck out, Manny (yes I traded for Manny, hehe) crushed the first pitch he saw over the top of the CF wall for a 3-0 lead. Xavier Nady followed a few batters latter with a monster two run shot over the Green Monster to make it 5-0. But in typical Yankee/Red Sox fashion, this thing was far from over. Youk launched a 3-run homer off CC in the bottom of the first to immediately make interesting. In the top of the 4th I added five more runs to take a 10-3 lead but Boston answered with four of their own to make it 10-7. I finally put things out of reach on a Texieria 3-run homer in the 8th and went on to win 14-8. Jason Bay had two homers for Boston.

Manny's Homer

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Game 2 @ Fenway: Lester vs Burnett
Complete opposite of the Game 1 slugfest. Lester had a no-hitter through five innings, Burnett had allowed one run in the first but was also outstanding. My lone scoring output for the night came in the 6th inning when with two on and two outs Tex took a low and away fastball and hooked it up and over the Green Monster for a 3-1 lead. The score remained that way until the 9th when the game ended in dramatic fashion with Nady throwing out Pedroia at home for the final out. He tried to barrel over Posada but Jorge hung on. Burnett was marvelous, making up for his subpar regular season with a huge victory. I had taken both games in Boston and held a firm grip on the series, or at least I thought.


Tex's 3-run shot

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Nady's assist ends Game 2

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Game 3 @ Yankee Stadium: Dice-K vs Joba

Another pitcher's duel, this time Boston walked away with the 3-1 victory in a crucial game for them. Dice-K flirted with disaster all night but pitched 7 2/3 innings and allowed only one run. Joba was hurt by the long ball, giving up two solo homers, another one off the bat of Jason Bay. Pedroia hit the other.

Game 4 @ Yankee Stadium: Beckett vs Pettitte

I had to wait until Game 4 to see the postseason master of the 2000's. Becket was indeed masterful, 8 1/3 innings of shut out ball, 11 K's. I loaded the bases in the 9th but Cano struck out vs Papelbon as Boston won 3-0 to tie the series at 2-2. His curveball was insane and every few innings I'd check his pitch chart - hardly any balls that weren't on the black or a ball, insane. So in my first two games at home I scored a combined 1 run in 18 innings against Boston's big guns. A far cry from my huge Game 1 outburst.

Game 5 @ Yankee Stadium: CC vs Smoltz

Boston had regained momentum and homefield advantage by winning Games 3 and 4 in NY. I needed a big start out of my off-season prize and staff ace and I got it, well after Jason Bay hit another homer, this time in the first inning for a 2-run shot after an A-Rod error allowed the inning to continue. After that CC was lights out, Boston didn't score another run. Manny hit a 2-run homer to give me 3-2 lead in the 5th and things fell apart there for Boston. I went on to win 10-2 and move to within one game of the pennant. Only problem was that I had to head back to Boston to face Lester and then Beckett if it went to Game 7.

Game 6 @ Fenway: Lester vs Burnett

A bit of a carbon copy of Game 5, just flip the teams around. Burnett started off great once again, not allowing a hit through 4 innings and racking up six K's. However, his control completely disappeared in the 5th inning. He walked three batters and allowed six runs in the frame giving Boston a commanding 6-0 lead. Boston would move out to an 8-0 lead before the I got to Lester in the 6th with five runs to make it interesting at 8-5. Boston tacked on two more runs in the 8th, I rallied for 3 in the 9th before Papelbon was brought in to make seal it for Boston, 10-8. On to Game 7.

Game 7 @ Fenway: Joba vs Beckett

The Steinbrenner's said they wanted Joba to be a starter so he could, 'Be our Beckett". Well, here was his chance to prove it. Beckett had a 0.65 ERA in 19 innings in the post season entering the game. Both pitchers were going on short rest but you couldn't tell early. Joba was actually the more impressive pitcher earlier on with 8 K's and two hits through five innings. His fastball was insane, blazing away at the corners for K after K. Beckett only allowed one hit, an A-Rod double. Things started to go for Joba in the 6th as he began to fatigue. He hung a curveball to Youk which wound up on Landsdowne Street, giving Boston a 2-0, not a good sign since I hadn't scored against Beckett in 14+ innings during the series. I finally came through in the 7th, Johnny Damon had a bloop single, A-Rod walked, Manny struck out and then Tex lined an RBI single to center. 3-1. Posada follwed up with a clutch 2-out single, 3-2.

I got a few guys on base in the 8th inning but failed to score as Matsui stranded a runner on third - off to the 9th against Papelbon with the ALCS on the line. The first pitch I saw with Posada was a meatball and I jumped on it, launching it deep to CF. It hit the top of the wall just to the left of the 420-ft sign, any other stadium in baseball and it's a tie game. So Jorge is on 2nd with no one out, I pinch run Brett Gardner. Nady is up next and grounds to 2nd while Gardner moves to 3rd, one away. Cano steps in, rips one down the line at first but right at Youk, two away. There were several curse words being yelled after that one.

In steps the captain, Derek Jeter. It's been nearly a decade since his clutch post season heroics were last seen - and it remained that way. I dinked a 2-2 slider to third, Lowell had to go back on it though but had plenty of time. He set his feet, let the ball go and zoooooom, it flies over Youk's head for an error! In comes Gardner to tie the game! Shades of Bill Buckner!!

Extra frames were tense, I stranded runners at 3rd on two seperate occasions, Boston did the same. Finally it was the 13th inning and Matsui was up. This was only the 2nd game in the series Matsui had played in, I had been going with Melky for his defense but after the anemic offensive performances in Games 3 & 4 I gave Matsui a shot in Game 5, then again in Game 7. He delievered for me, launching a meatball into the bullpen in right center. 4-3. Three more outs til the World Series.

I had used Sabathia to pitch the 12th and since Ellsbury was leading off I let him have the lefty/lefty match up before bringing in Rivera. Ellsbury K's on a nasty slurve from CC. So in comes Mo against Pedroia, one away. Mo apparently wasn't warmed up, four straight balls with his cutter. In steps Big Papi, the ALCS on the line. I throw one cutter up and in, swing and a miss. Another cutter misses in, as does a four-seamer low and away. I come back in with a cutter and Papi can't get around on it, hits one right at Cano who fields, flips to Jeter at second who fires it over to Tex to end the game!

Phew! What a Game 7, what a series!

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Thank you again for making these! For the first time I can say I'm finally addicted to The Show.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this post. Incredible series you had against Boston! Great watching those clips too. What an assist by Nady. Funny that Lowell pulled a "Buckner". What a way to tie the game! And then to have extra innings in game 7. Holy Cow!

I'm glad these sliders have made the game fun for you. Occasionally, I try other sliders for a change, but for my ability, they just don't hang with me for long because of the flaws in the game you mention. My sliders help with those flaws, but I am hoping next year, they address a lot of issues with this game. For as much praise as this game got early on after release, I think I honestly liked MLB 08 and 07 better gameplay-wise. As we Cub fans say, maybe next year.

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

I also thank you Doc. I've been playing this game since release and have never tried sliders (other than lowering pitch and fielder speed) But your sliders have been a revelation. I played 3 exhibition games last night and this morning to see how they felt and I have to say that I love them, even though I lost all 3.

I expected to smash the ball around with the power slider up but it didn't happen at all. I managed to scatter some hits and 2 homers across the 3 games but never scored above 5 runs.

I absolutely love the fact that the CPU can't paint the corners when their confidence is depleted. (Just like myself) That felt a little cheap on default allstar. I'm working more walks now but am still finding it difficult to spot breaking balls when they drop out of the zone. I played the Giants and Lincecum's curve is absolutely brutal most times. It looks like its over the plate and then BAM! it drops away.

So thanks Doc, you've made a stellar game even better in my eyes and I'm even tempted to start up a new franchise with these.

Glad to hear you're having fun with these. The only thing I have changed lately is to increase my pitch speed back to default. I wanted to really feel the difference between guys that throw heat vs. guys that don't. For some reason, it is easier to tell FBs from offspeed stuff at default pitch speed too (at least for me).

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

3.5 back doc, thats cool not too far off the pace..i want to see if i get to 1st will the fans start coming to the park..man nobody is there half the time ha ha ha ha ha just barely over 19,000 we havent played the cubbies yet...and the astros just left town they are in 5th so far we roughed up wandy rodriguez and i was happy as H___ then the next night brian moehler comes out and shuts us down LOL..im like damn these are the bucs i swear ha ha ha ha ha so good luck to you and your cubbies doc i'll report back at the end of april or just check the site in my sig i should post some stats by aprils end

3.5 back? Not bad, not bad at all. I just got swept by the first place Astros. I don't know what's going on with my team, but we have stunk it up lately. I don't feel like I have changed anything about my approach. It's almost like it's just a downward spiral I can't get out of with my Cubbies now. I am looking forward to calling up Jake Fox and some of those guys (I follow the real season moves for all of my franchises. It can get tedious. I think next year I will just play a franchise with injuries, and roster control off for a change). Maybe I can get a spark. It sucks not having A. Ramirez right now. Makes a big, big difference with the team in this game and in real life.

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

I've been using these sliders on RTTS and they seem to work well. However, I seem to be giving up too many home runs. If I lower the home run slider back to default (5) do you guys think this will result in fewer overall hits?

I don't think it will overall, but its definitely a balance with all the sliders and can be hard to pinpoint.

[DrUrsus]

Re: DrUrsus All-Star Sliders to draw walks, be selective &amp; CPU plays &quot;fairer&quot; game

I used these for the first last night and had a great game that ended in the 10th with the Padres against the Giants. They won 3-2. Linecum was tough.

Glad to hear it. I definitely would give these sliders at the very least 10 games before deciding whether you like them or not. I started out like 8-2, but haven't kept up that pace since unfortunately, lol.