JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

[JoshC1977]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

So far I've played one game post patch. I am going with exact sliders as pre patch except timing at 5 now for both. I haven't tried Starter Stamina at 6 yet but I'm really liking the amount of offense I'm getting. I'm afraid if I do that, that will nerf offense too much and we will very rarely see MR. I've also noticed that if you or the CPU have a pitcher with higher confidence they do much better in the later innings with higher pitch counts. I don't mind hitting a guy around at pitch 80 if I get him there in the 5th. That means I've been working him good all game, and he is going to be alot less effective than a guy who gets to 80 pitches in the 7th. I think that works really well at 5, but that's just my two cents.

First game post patch was a 5-3 L to the Red Sox. They had 12 hits, while the Rays (me) had 9 hits. Hit variety felt just like it did pre patch. I struck out 8 times which was nice, and the CPU struck out a whopping 14 times. That number isn't outrageous but I'm definitely going to keep my eye on it. I had 4 doubles, while the CPU had two doubles and one of the longest HR I've seen this year. Jackie Bradley Jr. hit a majestic shot off of Ryne Stanek who had 25K in 15IP coming into this game. I overthrew a 4SFB on a 1-2 count and JBJ hit it off the batter's eye in dead center.

I hear what you're saying on the pitch counts and that's why I only bumped it up to 6 (and not 7, which seems to be common for many other sliders). I've been agonizing over this a little, but what I've seen hasn't made sense to me thus far.

So, I pulled the pitch count numbers from last year (Pitches/GS) and compiled the percentages:
<80 Pitches: 22.0% (TB with their tandem starter system averaged 63 in under 4 IP per start)
80-99 Pitches: 52.8%
100-119 Pitches: 24.9%
>120 Pitches: 0.2%

Basically, I've been missing that upper 25% (ie 100+ pitches) and based on the stamina drain rate, I don't think anyone under 85 stamina sniffs 100 pitches without being dead tired (the issue....only 10% of the MLB starters on the SDS rosters have 85+ stamina). Now, I don't think the roster ratings are off, and the scaling looks right, I just don't think the roster scaling quite jives with the pitch counts. That is what prompted me to go ahead and test out this adjustment. In my game vs Archer last night (and he was effective), he nearly hit 100 pitches at 84 stamina and might've broken 105, but that's it. That "smells right" to me and there are a plethora of guys in rotations with much lower stamina ratings in the rotations that will give that lower-end distribution and get those MRPs involved.

Anyways, not trying to argue with you or anything, but since I am home (and enjoy discussing these types of things), I thought I'd elaborate a bit more on the "why".

(To your other observation on user Ks....I only had 6 combined in my two games last night....so I was happy to hear you had a good performance)...when we see different things, that's very often a good sign of balance.

Anyways, going to fire-up some more games.

[No.27]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

I’m all in on Stamina at 6. It will at least give me chance to throw a complete game with Chris Sale! Also as Affltony mentioned it will be great for QC that I have to use sometimes.

After a tip from WarmWind I’ve used Walker Buelher (86 rated H78 K78 BB61 HR65 Control 79 Velo 92 Break 96 4sfb, 2sfb, Slider, Kncv, cut) as my test pitcher all year so I have a constant reference through all the changes.

I took him into practice against the Red Sox and firstly tried the new timing window at 5 with Solid Hits at 5/Pitcher Control at 5. I found it more difficult to get good contact than I was prepatch at Timing 4. I hit a couple of nice homers/a triple and some doubles. Of course there were plenty of bloopers so loving the variety even with solid hits at 5. I found his slow stuff particularly hard to hit. I did notice a lot of my good swings weren’t travelling as far as prepatch so Solid Hits at 5 might be my starting point after further testing. On a side note the pull influence seemed to be more effective.

I then put Pitcher Control back up to 6 and just let him throw pitches while I checked where they were going. He was inch perfect the whole time! With 2 strikes he would just catch the zone every time and and in a pitchers count he would be able to spot it just outside the zone. No walks or pitches in the dirt. At best I could only see myself either fouling off or striking out in 3-2 counts.

So I tried Pitcher Control back at 5 and even though the tactics were quite similar he wasn’t able to spot 3 pitches within an inch of each other. Also his strikeout pitch wouldn’t hit the edge of the zone every time. I saw myself at being able to gets some hits in 3-2 counts rather than fouling off being my only option. He issued walks without me swinging and there were quite a few more wayward pitches as well. For me it looked more like the way I am able to pitch with classic and will be my starting point at least.

It’s great to have so many options to subtlety influence the game.

[Genesio1]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

About fielder reaction Bryce Harper was like walking or moving really slow. Two or three balls seem to just drop right in front of him. He seems staggered in regards to his reaction. Is anyone noticing this with some of your outfielders?

[JoshC1977]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

About fielder reaction Bryce Harper was like walking or moving really slow. Two or three balls seem to just drop right in front of him. He seems staggered in regards to his reaction. Is anyone noticing this with some of your outfielders?

It can happen with crappy defensive OFs (ratings-wise) like Bryce for sure; which is exactly what we want to see with the lowered reaction/speed sliders.

[Genesio1]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

Lol@ crappy defensive OFS.

It can happen with crappy defensive OFs (ratings-wise) like Bryce for sure; which is exactly what we want to see with the lowered reaction/speed sliders.

[capa]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

About fielder reaction Bryce Harper was like walking or moving really slow. Two or three balls seem to just drop right in front of him. He seems staggered in regards to his reaction. Is anyone noticing this with some of your outfielders?

I did notice yesterday that on a ball hit over the RF head, he seemed to more or less jog back to the wall to pick up the ball. It's an animation thing I am sure...but it did not look like there was a sense of urgency which sort of killed the immersion for me. I remember this from last year or 17, but it was the first time I saw it this year. And it was a player whose main position is RF so not due to playing out of position.

C

[Genesio1]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

Yeah I was playing with the jays and Randall Grichuk did the same thing in Right field but he too seem staggered and I’m pretty sure he’s a good defender. He also reacted extremely slow. Don’t get me wrong I like that the cpu is getting hits but I gave up four runs and 11 hits in 4 and 2 thirds an innings with Stroman because Grichuk just seem lackadaisical. So I really was wondering if it has affected anyone else that’s all guys.

I did notice yesterday that on a ball hit over the RF head, he seemed to more or less jog back to the wall to pick up the ball. It's an animation thing I am sure...but it did not look like there was a sense of urgency which sort of killed the immersion for me. I remember this from last year or 17, but it was the first time I saw it this year. And it was a player whose main position is RF so not due to playing out of position.

C

[JoshC1977]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

Lol@ crappy defensive OFS.

Unless you're using a carryover roster, Harper is mid-60s for all his fielding/reaction/speed ratings. Sorry, but that's crappy. (which is why I specifically said "ratings-wise" in my comment to you).

I did notice yesterday that on a ball hit over the RF head, he seemed to more or less jog back to the wall to pick up the ball. It's an animation thing I am sure...but it did not look like there was a sense of urgency which sort of killed the immersion for me. I remember this from last year or 17, but it was the first time I saw it this year. And it was a player whose main position is RF so not due to playing out of position.

C

This is always the trade-off with lowering fielder speed and fielding reaction. I have seen it a couple of times with my crappy Reds OFs (who are even worse than Bryce - imagine that) but what I have seen is when the OF is having trouble picking up the ball in the air. Now, your example, jogging to pick up the ball on the ground at the wall....I have not seen that, and that COULD be an animation bug or it could be that we need to go back to default fielding sliders.

I'll take a look at things a bit more tonight.

[GoBlue81188]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

Stamina at 6 is BEAUTIFUL for me.

It feels like pitchers now exit in close games due to performance or situation vs. just straight being fatigued.

This set is glorious. I’m playing the OP, with just the basestealing boosts from Armors set now. My pitching dominance has subsided and the game is about as close to real life product that I’ve seen out of any sports game ever. It’s why I’ve always loved The Show, and this year is the cream of the crop

[awffltony77]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

This set is the best example of how integral the foul frequency slider is.

Sent from my REVVLPLUS C3701A using Operation Sports mobile app

[awffltony77]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

It can happen with crappy defensive OFs (ratings-wise) like Bryce for sure; which is exactly what we want to see with the lowered reaction/speed sliders.

I've had guys through every cycle of that game that just play ridiculous for a few days. I love it.

Sent from my REVVLPLUS C3701A using Operation Sports mobile app

[capa]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

Unless you're using a carryover roster, Harper is mid-60s for all his fielding/reaction/speed ratings. Sorry, but that's crappy. (which is why I specifically said "ratings-wise" in my comment to you).



This is always the trade-off with lowering fielder speed and fielding reaction. I have seen it a couple of times with my crappy Reds OFs (who are even worse than Bryce - imagine that) but what I have seen is when the OF is having trouble picking up the ball in the air. Now, your example, jogging to pick up the ball on the ground at the wall....I have not seen that, and that COULD be an animation bug or it could be that we need to go back to default fielding sliders.

I'll take a look at things a bit more tonight.

I should have been clearer...sorry...this was with fielding sliders at default. Only change I made was Starter stamina to 6. I should not have posted in your thread since I went back to default AS with Stamina to 6 for starters.

C

[tc020791]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

I’m all in on Stamina at 6. It will at least give me chance to throw a complete game with Chris Sale! Also as Affltony mentioned it will be great for QC that I have to use sometimes.

After a tip from WarmWind I’ve used Walker Buelher (86 rated H78 K78 BB61 HR65 Control 79 Velo 92 Break 96 4sfb, 2sfb, Slider, Kncv, cut) as my test pitcher all year so I have a constant reference through all the changes.

I took him into practice against the Red Sox and firstly tried the new timing window at 5 with Solid Hits at 5/Pitcher Control at 5. I found it more difficult to get good contact than I was prepatch at Timing 4. I hit a couple of nice homers/a triple and some doubles. Of course there were plenty of bloopers so loving the variety even with solid hits at 5. I found his slow stuff particularly hard to hit. I did notice a lot of my good swings weren’t travelling as far as prepatch so Solid Hits at 5 might be my starting point after further testing. On a side note the pull influence seemed to be more effective.

I then put Pitcher Control back up to 6 and just let him throw pitches while I checked where they were going. He was inch perfect the whole time! With 2 strikes he would just catch the zone every time and and in a pitchers count he would be able to spot it just outside the zone. No walks or pitches in the dirt. At best I could only see myself either fouling off or striking out in 3-2 counts.

So I tried Pitcher Control back at 5 and even though the tactics were quite similar he wasn’t able to spot 3 pitches within an inch of each other. Also his strikeout pitch wouldn’t hit the edge of the zone every time. I saw myself at being able to gets some hits in 3-2 counts rather than fouling off being my only option. He issued walks without me swinging and there were quite a few more wayward pitches as well. For me it looked more like the way I am able to pitch with classic and will be my starting point at least.

It’s great to have so many options to subtlety influence the game.

I don't think you should be testing any sliders in practice mode. There are so many more variables going on during a regular season game. I've worked 5 and 7 walks respectively my last two games with Pitch Control still at 6 for CPU. I've also struck out around 8 times both games.

[JoshC1977]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

So, I got three more games of my Reds franchise in last night. 9-2 and 7-3 wins over the Marlins and a 7-4 loss to the Cardinals. I should finish my set vs St. Louis tonight, and then it is onto LA and SD for a tough road trip. I'm hoping to get Kershaw in one of my games vs LA just to see how things go vs a top-level pitcher (which I haven't faced all year).

The hitting/pitching has looked good for me thus far. I still plan on tinkering with the pitch control sliders just to see if default improves what we have now (my gut says that 6 is the sweet spot though).

The SP stamina tweak has held up thus far. I'm really going to be monitoring bullpen fatigue because what I don't want is that the bullpen arms don't get ground-down in 7-10 day stretches without an off-day. My upcoming road trip in my Reds franchise will give me a better sense. I do agree with balla's point about SP pulls feeling a bit more contextual (but small sample size applies).

We already touched on fielding this morning, I'll be looking at this as I play more. Now, I do play a fair bit of offline DD (mainly conquest) and have found that to be a great place to get a feel for default fielding as a huge range of fielding ratings is in-play (I use auto-fielding/directional/classic in that mode as well). With the new program out tomorrow, I'll make a point to check things out as I get some games in.

We talked about stolen base frequency/ability a couple of days ago and I forgot to re-visit this in the thread (balla's post reminded me). I do suspect default is a tad low on these. I'm just going to add Armor's values to the set....I've used them before and there really is no reason not to.
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Responding to a couple of posts....

I should have been clearer...sorry...this was with fielding sliders at default. Only change I made was Starter stamina to 6. I should not have posted in your thread since I went back to default AS with Stamina to 6 for starters.

C

Hey, no problem at all Capa - thanks for clarifying. You're more than welcome to post in here, you know how much I love my default settings

It's interesting that you saw that jogging at default. I know SDS did a lot of work around fielding in and around the walls. It may or may not have been a by-product of that. Do you happen to know the fielding rating of the player in question (I'm just curious)?

I don't think you should be testing any sliders in practice mode. There are so many more variables going on during a regular season game. I've worked 5 and 7 walks respectively my last two games with Pitch Control still at 6 for CPU. I've also struck out around 8 times both games.

I don't mind testing in practice mode but unless I am testing animations I personally bypass that step because no matter what one does, the defining experiement will always be how that then translates in-game, where you have hot/cold streaks, confidence, fatigue, etc. all affecting things. I think as long as people understand that it isn't a 1:1 translation, it is all good.

[GoBlue81188]

Re: JoshC1977's MLB 19 Sliders

Just following up here. I forgot to mention I am 5/5 for pitcher control.

For me, I’m still looking for more CPU offense. I’m not a huge stats guy because baseball has a way of correcting stats over the 162 game season.

With that said, I am 12-3 with a 1.86 ERA. I’m 1st in walks issued, 1st in hits allowed, 12th in strikeouts. A perfect 15/15 in Quality Starts.

The walks are a user/legacy issue and largely ignored for me. I pitch to contact in 3 ball counts. Strikeouts, perfect. Brewers have a dominant bullpen with big K numbers and the. 3 solid starters with good break/K per 9.

What I find is the CPU just does not sustain rallies at all. They are largely hitting singles, or home runs. I’ve probably conceded 75%+ of my runs to the long ball, and usually solo shots.

I don’t want to tinker too much but is a solution maybe CPU solid hit 5, Hum control 6? Or a simple boost to CPU power to 6?

Human offense is exactly where I want it. It is a perfect balance of player rating and user input. When I’m focused, patient and mentally in the game, I rake. When my mind wanders and I start to chase strikes on the black, I struggle. Absolutely love this facet of the game.

Defense is spot on for both sides, IMO as well. Elite defenders stand out, especially in the OF.

Baserunning is solid. I suck at stealing bags, what’s new.

Any thoughts on the CPU offense, please let me know. I want to keep the balance of the game in tune, while allowing the cpu to punish my strike zone tendency more.

Oh, last thing is SP stamina at 6. Don’t know I can ever go back, it is just 1000x better than 5. So much more in line with real MLB.