Bobhead's Sliders

[rondoman]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

How is base stealing? Seems to be too easy with frequency at 10.

[Bobhead]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

Bob,

I've played a total of five games with your new CPU hitting sliders, and I've been getting hit HARD, which was my main concern. I understand that five games is not the greatest sample size, but I played with your previous hitting sliders for well over 30 games, and I was getting great results (variety) with CPU Contact at 3, while also seeing a realistic amount of strikeouts. I say realistic because the averages were pretty much spot on. With Kershaw, I was able to K at least 6 a game, with the high being 10, and with lower-level starters, I would have to really work to get 5 or 6 strikeouts. I've been getting shelled by the CPU with the current settings, and I'm leaning towards moving contact back down to 3 to see how that works. I figured with the increase in foul frequency, dropping contact won't have that big of an effect other than increasing strikeouts (I hope). I've also been seeing a substantial increase in doubles by the CPU, so I want to keep an eye on that as well. I'm actually thinking of back through my first 20 games of my franchise to see what the average number of doubles has been. All I know is, over the last few games, half of the CPU hits have been for extra bases (2B, HR). I'm not sure what the exact statistic should be, but I don't think it should be that high.

Thoughts???

Hate to be cliche, but keep in mind you are playing on Hall of Fame difficulty, so just because you are struggling, doesn't mean the sliders are the issue. You might need to turn it back down to All Star if your struggles continue. I've been playing with these sliders for a while and I haven't seen any excessive offense from the CPU, in fact my pitchers are finally off their hot streaks (I gave up more than 5 runs for the first time in several weeks), and still I'm only giving up the usual number of hits: 7-10 per game.

Also feel free to just go back to the "old" HoF pitching spread: 4 contact, 3 solid hits, and 3/3 consistency/control... I had raised them to address issues - too few walks by my pitchers, and too few hits/runs by the CPU hitters - If you didn't have those issues, just remember that you are on the same pitching difficulty you were on before, so if the old sliders worked before, there is no reason to think switching back to them won't be successful.

How is base stealing? Seems to be too easy with frequency at 10.

It probably is. Honestly the pickoff system is so off-base that a "realistic" baserunning slider is not even ideal. The way I have it, you will probably be more successful than usual stealing bases, but the excessive pickoffs will surely counteract that.

[HechticSooner]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

Hey Bob just wanted to ask a few questions in regards to fielding. First I want to say that I haven't ever had a dink or a dunk hit with any slider set OTHER than yours, and for that I am truly greatful for this set! I am wondering though if you have tried any combinations of lowering fielder speed and increasing reaction to be able to get the outfields to still not be able to flag down so many damn balls out there but yet not cripple the infielders from being able to make the plays that they should. Where it's at right now is prefect for the infield in my estimation BTW and I thank you for that but it still seems that the outfields can run in to shoe-string a bit too many (of course I am also worried about their programming too, it seems that they have the understanding on how to play the walls and such but I think that if they aren't fast enough to catch those shoe-strings that they will run on anyway and end up with the ball going right by them on the short hop).

[Bobhead]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

Hey Bob just wanted to ask a few questions in regards to fielding. First I want to say that I haven't ever had a dink or a dunk hit with any slider set OTHER than yours, and for that I am truly greatful for this set! I am wondering though if you have tried any combinations of lowering fielder speed and increasing reaction to be able to get the outfields to still not be able to flag down so many damn balls out there but yet not cripple the infielders from being able to make the plays that they should. Where it's at right now is prefect for the infield in my estimation BTW and I thank you for that but it still seems that the outfields can run in to shoe-string a bit too many (of course I am also worried about their programming too, it seems that they have the understanding on how to play the walls and such but I think that if they aren't fast enough to catch those shoe-strings that they will run on anyway and end up with the ball going right by them on the short hop).

Yeah if I could set fielder speed at negative 1, I would, but sadly 0 is the lowest you can go. You can try lowering Reaction down a point, you will notice a lot more balls dropping in the outfield, and fewer random line drives caught. I've played with Reaction at 4 quite a bit and I like how it plays, I just haven't decided if I like it better than 5, but you probably will.

Are you playing with Fielding Errors maxed like my sliders recommend? Believe it or not, this slider seems to affect how accurately the CPU plays balls off the wall and other such things, because it is like a whole new world for me. The other day the CPU completely misplayed a ball in the gap, at first running forward when the ball was over their heads, giving me a stand-up triple. These types of mistakes are more common with a higher Fielding Errors slider, so if you can get passed the fact that they do happen to you (although it doesn't appear to be as much), I'm confident you will enjoy it.

[Bobhead]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

The CPU offense indeed has gotten excessive, so CPU Contact moved back down to 3, where it will stay. I also increased Foul Frequency back up to 3 to bring pop ups and ground outs back down to realistic numbers. 71 games into the season so here's an update:
---
A few weeks ago, Dan Johnson came off the disabled list, and Justin Ruggiano was called up from AAA, and together they have carried the team back into contention. They have combined for 11 home runs in the last 10 games, including a pair of back to back home runs - on two separate occasions. The pair also picked up the struggling Evan Longoria. Now batting with protection behind him, Longoria has gone on a tear, with 2 back-to-back 4-hit games, and 6 home runs in his last 10 games.

The Rays used this new-found offense to win 2 out of 3 against both the Orioles and Red Sox, as the Rays are now just 4 games behind Boston for first, and only 2 games out of the wildcard.
---
Pitching Stats:
ERA: 3.28 (up from 2.83)
Batting Average: .255 (up from .241)
Walks: 139 -- 1.96 per game (down from 2.01)
Strikeouts: 373 -- 5.25 per game (up from 5.09)
Hits: 690 -- 9.72 per game (up from 8.92)
Runs: 265 -- 3.73 per game (up from 3.19)
Home Runs: 75 -- 1.06 per game (up from 1.03)

Batting Stats:
Batting Average: .255 (up from .252)
Batting Average w/ RiSP: .264 (up from .261)
Walks: 194 -- 2.73 per game (down from 2.86)
Strikeouts: 582 -- 8.2 per game (down from 8.42)
Hits: 627 -- 8.83 per game (up from 8.6)
Extra-Base Hits**: 147 -- 2.07 per game (up from 2.06)
Home Runs: 88 -- 1.24 per game (up from 0.94)
Runs scored: 311 -- 4.38 per game (up from 4.19)
*Excluding Home Runs

The inflated offense by the CPU is quite marked, but can also be attributed to the teams I've played against: the 3 best offenses in my league, Boston, Baltimore, and Anaheim. Regardless I've addressed the offense in the sliders, and I am confident it will play well from here.

My offense is a bit inflated, but I'd attribute that more to the return of Dan Johnson (who was out for 2 months), and the call up of Justin Ruggiano, both of whom have been on fire. After going on a huge home run drought, I've hit like at least 40 in my last 10 games, and I'm highly doubtful that such a trend will last long.

[HechticSooner]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

Yeah if I could set fielder speed at negative 1, I would, but sadly 0 is the lowest you can go. You can try lowering Reaction down a point, you will notice a lot more balls dropping in the outfield, and fewer random line drives caught. I've played with Reaction at 4 quite a bit and I like how it plays, I just haven't decided if I like it better than 5, but you probably will.

Are you playing with Fielding Errors maxed like my sliders recommend? Believe it or not, this slider seems to affect how accurately the CPU plays balls off the wall and other such things, because it is like a whole new world for me. The other day the CPU completely misplayed a ball in the gap, at first running forward when the ball was over their heads, giving me a stand-up triple. These types of mistakes are more common with a higher Fielding Errors slider, so if you can get passed the fact that they do happen to you (although it doesn't appear to be as much), I'm confident you will enjoy it.

Yeah I'm playing with the 10 in fielding errors for the exact reason that you put it there, it's actually something that I did before using your sliders. I will try going back to the reaction at 4 again and see it just seemed to screw the infield too much but I'll try it out.

[nystyle]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

using these sliders for a few games I kept getting that cpu comeback that "doesnt exist". every game, 6th or 7th inning cpu scores 5 runs with 2 outs like clock work. I changed pitchers, threw a variety of pitches all over the zone and out of the zone but same thing happened. I made a few adjustments to these sliders that seem to have settled that down without giving up the competition aspect of them. I do LOVE the error sliders and the baserunner speed sliders as they have made a difference. for the first time since mlb 09 I saw an outfielder during a day game lose a ball in the sun. found that awesome.

Humnan:

Contact: 6
Power: 5
Timing: 7
Foul Freq: 3
Solid Hits: 2
Starter Stamina: 7
Reliever Stamina: 5
Pitch Control: 5
Pitch Consistency: 5- I found this, along with lowering cpu contact/power stopped the "glitch that doesnt exist"

-- CPU --
Contact: 4
Power: 3
Timing: 7
Foul Freq: 2
Solid Hits: 2
Starter Stamina: 4
Reliever Stamina: 2
Pitch Control: 4
Pitch Consistency: 2
Strike Frequency: 2
Manager Hook: 5
Pickoffs: 6

--Neutral--
Pitch Speed: 3
Fielding Errors: 10
Throwing Errors: 7
Fielder Speed: 0
Fielder Reaction: 5
Fielder Arm Strength: 2
Baserunner Speed: 1
Baserunner Steal Ability: 3- when it was on 1, in 7 games, neither team had a steal. wasnt realistic. 3 seems to play better IMO.
Baserunner Steal Frequency: 7
Wind: 4
Injury Frequency: 5


remember my changes wont fit every one perfectly, but if you had the same problems I did they can help. Bobhead's original sliders were awesome too. I dont mind going 0-7 in 7 close games, but when each game results in an unstoppable computer onslaught I had to make some changes.

[Rangers24Cally]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

using these sliders for a few games I kept getting that cpu comeback that "doesnt exist". every game, 6th or 7th inning cpu scores 5 runs with 2 outs like clock work. I changed pitchers, threw a variety of pitches all over the zone and out of the zone but same thing happened. I made a few adjustments to these sliders that seem to have settled that down without giving up the competition aspect of them. I do LOVE the error sliders and the baserunner speed sliders as they have made a difference. for the first time since mlb 09 I saw an outfielder during a day game lose a ball in the sun. found that awesome.

Humnan:

Contact: 6
Power: 5
Timing: 7
Foul Freq: 3
Solid Hits: 2
Starter Stamina: 7
Reliever Stamina: 5
Pitch Control: 5
Pitch Consistency: 5- I found this, along with lowering cpu contact/power stopped the "glitch that doesnt exist"

-- CPU --
Contact: 4
Power: 3
Timing: 7
Foul Freq: 2
Solid Hits: 2
Starter Stamina: 4
Reliever Stamina: 2
Pitch Control: 4
Pitch Consistency: 2
Strike Frequency: 2
Manager Hook: 5
Pickoffs: 6

--Neutral--
Pitch Speed: 3
Fielding Errors: 10
Throwing Errors: 7
Fielder Speed: 0
Fielder Reaction: 5
Fielder Arm Strength: 2
Baserunner Speed: 1
Baserunner Steal Ability: 3- when it was on 1, in 7 games, neither team had a steal. wasnt realistic. 3 seems to play better IMO.
Baserunner Steal Frequency: 7
Wind: 4
Injury Frequency: 5


remember my changes wont fit every one perfectly, but if you had the same problems I did they can help. Bobhead's original sliders were awesome too. I dont mind going 0-7 in 7 close games, but when each game results in an unstoppable computer onslaught I had to make some changes.

I can confirm that I was getting this cpu comeback thing also. and like poster said it was always 6 or 7 inning and always with 2 outs. I have read other people's posts that have said this usually occurs when cpu contact is "above 4" and/or "cpu power is above 4" so I will try these adjustments out. I lose a lot lol, but last game was up 5-0 in the 7th a new, fresh pitcher on the mound gets 2 outs then 3 hits, change pitcher, 2 more hits, change pitcher and next 3 pitches all home runs out of the park. Second time something like this happened to me in my last 4 games. I realize things like this happen in real life, but thats when I looked it up and found some people also have this problem and had it in mlb 10. I could just suck also lol I am still new to the show.

[Bobhead]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

I'm glad the adjustments work for you, but remember we are talking about Hall of Fame difficulty. If you are losing, lower the difficulty. I haven't had any problems with any nonexistant issues, I haven't really blown any games in the middle innings at all actually.

[pberardi]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

I'm glad the adjustments work for you, but remember we are talking about Hall of Fame difficulty. If you are losing, lower the difficulty. I haven't had any problems with any nonexistant issues, I haven't really blown any games in the middle innings at all actually.

I am very intrigued by your analysis of sliders and what you've put together here. I play on HOF (hitting and pitching) and many of the issues you address were my issues as well. I too agree that pitching especially the cpu and relievers are far too accurate and consistent. My fear which is probably based on myth was that the cpu would chalk up too many "meat" pitches and winning would become easy when cpu control and consistency were lowered well below default.

The cpu paints the corners far too much, imo. Relievers are like robo pitchers and pound the strike zone in late innings.

So my question is this. I am getting about 3.5 walks per game and really enjoy the fact that I can work the count deep.

I've always believed that part of my success was due in part to a lower strike frequency. That is, the cpu aggression was lowered so that it would once in awhile, throw ball 4 on 3-2 counts.

You have strike frequency at 5. MY complaint about HOF was that the cpu was too strike happy unless the frequency was lowered. Is this a wrong assumption? You seem to emphasize that lowering the control and consistency will provide the necessary pitch counts and walk opportunities without the need to lower frequency. What results would make you want to lower it?(frequency) Lack of walks? too many user strikeouts?

[Bobhead]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

I am very intrigued by your analysis of sliders and what you've put together here. I play on HOF (hitting and pitching) and many of the issues you address were my issues as well. I too agree that pitching especially the cpu and relievers are far too accurate and consistent. My fear which is probably based on myth was that the cpu would chalk up too many "meat" pitches and winning would become easy when cpu control and consistency were lowered well below default.

The cpu paints the corners far too much, imo. Relievers are like robo pitchers and pound the strike zone in late innings.

So my question is this. I am getting about 3.5 walks per game and really enjoy the fact that I can work the count deep.

I've always believed that part of my success was due in part to a lower strike frequency. That is, the cpu aggression was lowered so that it would once in awhile, throw ball 4 on 3-2 counts.

You have strike frequency at 5. MY complaint about HOF was that the cpu was too strike happy unless the frequency was lowered. Is this a wrong assumption? You seem to emphasize that lowering the control and consistency will provide the necessary pitch counts and walk opportunities without the need to lower frequency. What results would make you want to lower it?(frequency) Lack of walks? too many user strikeouts?

I agree with your sentiments completely, the CPU paints the corners excessively, and the "robo pitcher" thing is completely accurate. However, lowering Strike Frequency doesn't really change this. It only changes aggression, and this aggression (or lack of) is only a factor at the start of the at-bat. Decreasing it to 0 won't make the pitcher significantly more likely to throw a ball on 3-0, unless it was intentional to start with.

Without a change in accuracy, that 3-0 pitch is still probably going to be a slider on the corner, the 3-1 pitch is still going to be a high fastball, and the 3-2 pitch is still going to be strike 3. All lowering Strike Frequency really does is make the CPU pitcher less prone to challenge hitters. Yes this leads to deep counts and increased walks, but these deep counts and walks also include your #9 hitter/pitcher - my biggest problem with a large cut to Strike Frequency.

To answer the question in your last paragraph, I have been considering a 1 point decrease to Strike Frequency in the back of my mind, for quite some time. The biggest reason to lower Strike Frequency would probably be to reduce the frequency of "meatball" pitches.

Lowering Strike Frequency would make the pitcher more comfortable with pitching around your hitters, and less apt to just lay one in there in attempt to avoid a walk. This is more of a perception thing though, no stat can really tell you how many meatball pitches you are averaging. This is probably why I've yet to make a change (and probably won't, with the year being where it is, and most of us already deep into franchises), but I have definitely wanted to try and play around with a slightly lower strike frequency, although I haven't really had the time or commitment to do it.

I would want to raise Strike Frequency if I felt that the CPU was pitching around too many batters, and that they weren't challenging the strike zone enough, ie: if first-pitch strike percentages were excessively low, and pitches-per-at-bat were excessively high, not that I am familiar with what the average length of an at-bat is in MLB.

[pberardi]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

I agree with your sentiments completely, the CPU paints the corners excessively, and the "robo pitcher" thing is completely accurate. However, lowering Strike Frequency doesn't really change this. It only changes aggression, and this aggression (or lack of) is only a factor at the start of the at-bat. Decreasing it to 0 won't make the pitcher significantly more likely to throw a ball on 3-0, unless it was intentional to start with.

Without a change in accuracy, that 3-0 pitch is still probably going to be a slider on the corner, the 3-1 pitch is still going to be a high fastball, and the 3-2 pitch is still going to be strike 3. All lowering Strike Frequency really does is make the CPU pitcher less prone to challenge hitters. Yes this leads to deep counts and increased walks, but these deep counts and walks also include your #9 hitter/pitcher - my biggest problem with a large cut to Strike Frequency.

To answer the question in your last paragraph, I have been considering a 1 point decrease to Strike Frequency in the back of my mind, for quite some time. The biggest reason to lower Strike Frequency would probably be to reduce the frequency of "meatball" pitches.

Lowering Strike Frequency would make the pitcher more comfortable with pitching around your hitters, and less apt to just lay one in there in attempt to avoid a walk. This is more of a perception thing though, no stat can really tell you how many meatball pitches you are averaging. This is probably why I've yet to make a change (and probably won't, with the year being where it is, and most of us already deep into franchises), but I have definitely wanted to try and play around with a slightly lower strike frequency, although I haven't really had the time or commitment to do it.

I would want to raise Strike Frequency if I felt that the CPU was pitching around too many batters, and that they weren't challenging the strike zone enough, ie: if first-pitch strike percentages were excessively low, and pitches-per-at-bat were excessively high, not that I am familiar with what the average length of an at-bat is in MLB.

Excellent analysis. I played my first game with your sliders facing Josh Beckett. This of course is a perfect ace pitcher to start with. I managed to walk 4x vs. Beckett, something I had not done since playing MLB the show.

he did walk me 2x in the 8th (which he had no business being in the 8th as his fatugue was very low). The score was 8-2 (Redsox) and Beckett's confidence meter was about 7/8ths full which meant he was dealing pretty good. I honestly believe he struggled in the 8th due to your slider configuration of control 4, consistency 1, etc....

I managed to get his 60% strike level down to 58% by the 8th as seems to be my usual game but increased walks and my strikeouts were down to 6 compared to the usual 10 vs. an ace like Josh.

The comfort was my hits were only 6 and I managed a 2-run homer.

Even though Beckett was dominating, I did not feel overwhelmed. Every at bat was a decent one, most strikeouts required 5 pitches or more before Beckett struck me out.

It will be interesting to see when I face 4th and 5th rotation guys to see if my offense sees improvement. By the way, I still chased 11 pitches as is my normal game which means my eye for the plate can still be challenged.

Thanks!

[rondoman]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

Will these sliders work on All Star pitching and hitting with Meter pitching and zone hitting?

[kempachy]

Re: Bobhead's Sliders

I know it's a bit late but I like this mlb.
but I wanted to know if the final sliders are from the main page or page 14.
I'm using the one on page 14 and they're great at working with the pitcher in lague accounts, of course, you have to have good discipline to do it and what I see as a rare thing is that the relievers to the first batter is base by ball is normal?