How to Make CPU Pitchers Throw Me Fewer Strikes

[blemons5]

I recently started a franchise which I play for fun. I care about realism a lot, but generally will defer to a fun experience if I have to choose between the two (since I am playing an offline franchise solely for my own enjoyment). A month into my franchise, I am 18-3, first in MLB in home runs, around 4th in ERA, but 29th in walks drawn. I play all of my games, have only simulated like 7 innings all season, and use quick counts (partially to expedite the experience and partially because it makes it a bit easier for me to draw walks since you sometimes start with a 3 ball count). I hit on Veteran and pitch on All Star with default sliders. Realistically, I should probably bump up my difficult a notch, but I don’t know if I would have as much fun if I were struggling to hit or prevent a lot of scoring. My pitch recognition as of now is not elite or anything, but I think it’s plenty good enough to average like 2-4 walks per game, especially with quick counts. However, I feel like the CPU pitchers throw WAY too many strikes. I’ve had multiple games where I haven’t had any walks. I play as the Braves so for the most part, it’s not that big of a deal if I don’t walk a ton, but Freeman and Acuña are both big walk rate guys so I want to get their OBP a bit more realistic. I feel like I have a ton of PAs where I’m in a 3 ball count and the pitcher simply won’t throw a ball so I literally have to swing so that I don’t strike out looking. Of course, this results either in a hit or an out (or I whiff). They also throw a lot of pitches on the black that are too close to comfortably take. Therefore, I actually hit for a pretty high batting average (around 5th in the league, but my OBP is in the bottom 10).

So, what should I change about my sliders and/or my hitting difficulty level to help me draw walks at a more realistic rate when my offensive production otherwise is really good and my team is already 1st in the league? I wouldn’t be opposed to raising the difficulty a bit since a winning percentage over .800 is not realistic. I’ve seen some people suggest lowering strike percentage to 0, increasing CPU control, and lowering CPU consistency. I’ve also seen people suggest lowering the pitch speeds, but I feel like I would hit even better than I already do if I did that. Are there other suggestions that may work even better?

[jcar0725]

Re: How to Make CPU Pitchers Throw Me Fewer Strikes

I recently started a franchise which I play for fun. I care about realism a lot, but generally will defer to a fun experience if I have to choose between the two (since I am playing an offline franchise solely for my own enjoyment). A month into my franchise, I am 18-3, first in MLB in home runs, around 4th in ERA, but 29th in walks drawn. I play all of my games, have only simulated like 7 innings all season, and use quick counts (partially to expedite the experience and partially because it makes it a bit easier for me to draw walks since you sometimes start with a 3 ball count). I hit on Veteran and pitch on All Star with default sliders. Realistically, I should probably bump up my difficult a notch, but I don’t know if I would have as much fun if I were struggling to hit or prevent a lot of scoring. My pitch recognition as of now is not elite or anything, but I think it’s plenty good enough to average like 2-4 walks per game, especially with quick counts. However, I feel like the CPU pitchers throw WAY too many strikes. I’ve had multiple games where I haven’t had any walks. I play as the Braves so for the most part, it’s not that big of a deal if I don’t walk a ton, but Freeman and Acuña are both big walk rate guys so I want to get their OBP a bit more realistic. I feel like I have a ton of PAs where I’m in a 3 ball count and the pitcher simply won’t throw a ball so I literally have to swing so that I don’t strike out looking. Of course, this results either in a hit or an out (or I whiff). They also throw a lot of pitches on the black that are too close to comfortably take. Therefore, I actually hit for a pretty high batting average (around 5th in the league, but my OBP is in the bottom 10).

So, what should I change about my sliders and/or my hitting difficulty level to help me draw walks at a more realistic rate when my offensive production otherwise is really good and my team is already 1st in the league? I wouldn’t be opposed to raising the difficulty a bit since a winning percentage over .800 is not realistic. I’ve seen some people suggest lowering strike percentage to 0, increasing CPU control, and lowering CPU consistency. I’ve also seen people suggest lowering the pitch speeds, but I feel like I would hit even better than I already do if I did that. Are there other suggestions that may work even better?

There are a few quite knowledgeable slider guys that can help you much better than I can, but I can for sure tell you that the higher the difficulty, the more variety of pitch types and pitch locations you will get, and the CPU will eventually keep trying to figure out how to get you out the more games you play. Pretty sure on veteran, regardless of sliders, you'll just get meatball strikes thrown at you that you can hammer.

[Doyoueven85]

Re: How to Make CPU Pitchers Throw Me Fewer Strikes

“ Walks Received
- Increase or decrease them with the CPU Strike Frequency and CPU Pitch Consistency sliders

The CPU pitchers' aggressiveness and accuracy varies by difficulty level. On Rookie, Veteran, or All-Star, CPU pitchers are already quite wild, and accuracy is not the problem. Decrease the CPU Strike Frequency for more walks on these difficulty levels.

On Hall of Fame, or Legend, the CPU is already favors throwing pitches outside the strike zone. Decrease the CPU Pitch Consistency here, to give the CPU a little less accuracy.

------ Walks Allowed
- Once you've found a challenging difficulty level, increase or decrease walks with the CPU Power and Human Pitch Control sliders.

First and foremost, remember that Meter and Pure Analog users can change the size of the meter in the Camera Editor.

If you aren't using Meter or Pure Analog, you probably shouldn't even be reading this! I highly doubt you aren't allowing enough walks with the Pulse or Classic Pitching mechanics.

If you aren't allowing enough walks, it's probably because your strikes aren't getting hit enough. Increasing CPU Power will make the CPU more formidable., forcing you to pitch more carefully. The next step is to lower Human Pitch Control, which, among other things makes pitches "look" less convincing to the opponent, which means fewer chases on breaking balls outside of the zone. Pitch Control is a pretty strong slider. Only change it 1 or 2 points.

Generally, Pitch Consistency affects your general/physical accuracy, while Pitch Control affects how "convincing" a pitch looks and your ability to paint corners.”

[DarthRambo]

Re: How to Make CPU Pitchers Throw Me Fewer Strikes

Leave strike frequency at default and lower cpu pitcher consistency to 2. Difficulty doesn't matter.

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