Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

I decided to give Blazzen's sliders a shot. I was pretty happy with using MK's, but the ineffectiveness of my offense was really starting to bother me. I think I only scored a total of 4 runs in my series against the D-Backs. Not to mention, I got shut out 2-0 in my home opener against the Giants.

I used Blazzen's sliders for my next game against the Giants, and this is what it looked like.

SFG: 4 9 0
LAD: 5 10 0

Pitchers:

Zito: No Decision
Kuroda: No Decision
Romo: Loss
Leach: Win
Broxton: Save

- This was another game that started out as a pitcher's duel. Kuroda was perfect through 3 innings, until he gave up a triple and a double, which scored 2 Giants. I pitched through the sixth with him.

- Zito pitched very well. He was throwing that curve ball for strikes, and he had me off balance the entire game. I finally chased him for two runs in the 5th, which tied the game at 2. He ended up finishing with 6 IP, 2 ER, on 5 hits.

- I decide to bring in Mota for the top of the 7th, and I retire the side in order.

- The Giants bring in Jeremy Affeldt for the bottom of the 7th, and he also sits my boys down 1-2-3.

- I bring in Leach for the top the 8th, and he pretty much screws me over. He gives up a lead off single to Randy Winn. Next batter is Sandoval, who sacrifices him to 2nd. At this point Leach is freaking out. The composure ball is shaking big time, and I throw three consecutive balls to the new Giants batter, Benjie Molina. The count is 3-0, and I throw a fastball on the inside corner at the letters, and Molina crushes it for a two-run homer. Giants lead 4-2. I retire the next two batters to get out of the inning without further damage.

- The Giants bring in Romo for the bottom ofthe 8th. He gives up a leadoff single to Pierre up the middle that barely gets past Juan Uribe. Next batter is Hudson, who he promptly nails with a fastball in the back. Men on first and second, no outs. Manny comes up to bat, and I shoot a liner to the opposite field to load the bases. Next up is Blake, who gets K'd on three pitches. Ethier's up next, and I smoke a double into the left field gap that scores 3. Dodgers now lead 5-4 going into the top of the ninth.

- I bring in Broxton for the save. I get Ishikawa to fly out to right on a first pitch 99 MPH fastball. Next batter is Uribe, and I strike him out on three fastballs, with the last one peaking at 100 MPH. Giants bring in a pinch hitter, Frandsen, and he grounds out to third for the last out.

- This was a pretty entertaining game. I'm still not totally satisfied with the way my offense performs. I'm seeing way to many singles, and not enough extra-base hits. I haven't hit a home run with anybody except for Manny, and he hasn't hit one in 5 games. I wonder if there is any way for us to get some decent numbers with the marginal power hitters on our teams. In my case, Either, Kemp, Blake, Loney, Martin, etc. I'm starting to really think that the Batter's Eye and Zone Hitting sliders do affect the way the Human offense performs. I'm going to continue using Blazzen's sliders for at least the next three games to see if I get better offensive results, but if I don't, those will be the first two sliders that I zero out.

Cheers.

Batters Eye and Zone Hitting do effect things. Check out the default settings for legend and all star below. The fact that the sliders are lower on legend means the higher the slider is, the easier it is to hit. By zeroing them you'll make it more difficult on yourself.

Also you might check the power ratings for the hitters you're having trouble hitting homeruns with. Yunel Escobar and Martin Prado had really low power ratings (45ish and 10 respectively) yet Yunel has hit 9 homeruns and Prado has hit 5 (in limited playing time) this year in real life, so I adjusted their power ratings. Some you may have to adjust in the player ratings, but don't go overboard with it.

<table style="border-collapse: collapse; width: 290pt;" width="386" border="0" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0"><col style="width: 145pt;" width="193"> <col style="width: 74pt;" width="99"> <col style="width: 71pt;" width="94"> <tbody><tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="height: 15pt; width: 145pt;" width="193" height="20">Slider Name</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; width: 74pt;" width="99">Default Legend</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-left: medium none; width: 71pt;" width="94">Default AllStar</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">
</td> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Pitcher Fatigue</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">50</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">50</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">
</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">
</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl67" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">User Batting</td> <td class="xl68" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">
</td> <td class="xl68" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">
</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Batting Success</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">50</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">60</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Batting Contact</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">40</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">50</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Batting Power</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">60</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">65</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Pitcher Handedness Influence</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">100</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">100</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">IE Batting Zone Influence</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">100</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">100</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Batting Pitch Influence</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">75</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">75</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Batter's Eye Influence</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">0</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">25</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Hit Direction Influence</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">30</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">50</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Zone Hitting Influence</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">30</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">50</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Bunt Contact</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">35</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">40</td> </tr> <tr style="height: 15pt;" height="20"> <td class="xl65" style="border-top: medium none; height: 15pt;" height="20">Bunt Success</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">40</td> <td class="xl66" style="border-top: medium none; border-left: medium none;">45</td> </tr> </tbody></table>

[moral_virus]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

Well, for myself, I've maxed out power for both the AI and user settings to get better results for long balls - especially for myself given that I've never really had a strong presence of batting for any baseball game I've ever played beyond Ken Griffey Jr. Presents Major League Baseball (for the SNES). I've also lowered down the fielder speeds for both down to 40, because 60 is almost the equivalent of 110 speed as the fielders already have a lot of speed behind them and always make diving catches just to snag up balls that should be hits. They especially close up gaps almost too quickly and almost always 100% of the time. It really eats up those double opportunities on both ends and leaves most of the hits that come in to be grounder singles or the few liners over the infields heads.

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

What are your actual hitting sliders moral_virus? I'm wondering if I should raise power some.

Mine are:
User 60 40 70
CPU 60 60 80

I'm currently playing the series vs the giants as the Braves. I've played tonight (wednesday the 22nd) game because I won't be able to play tonight, so I've played 2 more games (Braves have a makeup against the Dbacks coming up) than the real Braves.

The Lowe vs. Valdez game I posted about earlier ended up being:
Giants 10 20 0
Braves 5 12 2

Giants had 15 singles 3 doubles and 2 triples if I remember correctly. Braves had ~ 9 singles 2 doubles and a 3 run homer by Brian McCann. Each side had 4 walks.

Next game was Lincecum vs. Vazquez (which btw Vazquez is 14-3 with a 2.20ish era coming in, beastly)

Line ended up:
Giants 0 8 2
Braves 6 9 0

I walked 6 times, 5 of them were from Lincecum. I did really good being patient at the plate. The gaints might've had one double and the rest singles, no walks, 7 strikeouts. Vazquez went 7 and 2/3. Braves had 8 singles, a double and a solo homer by Kotchman. To elaborate on the homer, I didn't use the stick to influence the ball at all. I hit a 2-1 inside belt high fastball in the right field seats. Felt good.

Still wondering if I need to raise the power setting some. I've played two more games than the real Braves and the Real Braves have hit 78 homeruns and given up 62. Blazzen's Braves have hit 68 homeruns and given up 65.

I also noticed some of what moral_virus was saying about the fielders being too fast. I'm really against adjusting baserunning speed and fielder speed as its set the same across most of the default settings which I believe is for a reason. It might see like there's no gaps in the outfield because I'm going against a Gaints team that has Lewis (90 range), Rowand and Winn. If I couldn't find a gap and Adam Dunn was the left fielder I'd be worried but I'm thinking a lot of it has to do with the Giants outfield. I'll play a couple games in the next series and see if I still can't find a gap before changing anything.

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

Played 3 more innings at lunch today.

Jurrjens vs. Cain

Top First - Jurrjens retires Lewis, Winn and Sandoval in order striking out Lewis.

Bottom First - McLouth walks on 4 pitches. Kelly Johnson can't get a bunt down and with two strikes grounds into a double play. Chipper Walks. McCann bloop singles to center, chipper to third. Garrett Anderson flys out to left.

Top Second - Rowand flies out to left. Aurilla hits a drive to left which JUST goes over Garrett Andersens head (it almost looked like he whiffed on the ball ie. outfield glitch but he was running back so it might've gone over his head) and Aurilla ends up with a double. Next batter is the backup short stop who I can't recall his name. He strikes out on 3 pitches. Next batter is Ishikawa. I plunked him with a fastball in his knee on accident haha. After that the second baseman comes up and he slaps a ball to left that Garrett Andersen made a nice running grab on.

Bottom Second- Yunel Escobar lines a first pitch fastball to the second baseman for out 1. Kasey Kotchman then lines to center for a single. Ryan Church lined a ball to center but it was right at Rowand for out 2. Jurrjens then was struck out looking, out 3.

Top Third- Cain jumps on a first pitch fastball and singles to right. Next batter is lewis who strikes out. After that Winn grounds a ball to the hole which Escobar throws out Cain and second and then Johnson almost got a double play with Winn narrowly beating it out at first. Next batter is Sandoval who centers to right center, Winn held at second though I thought he could've made it to third. Didn't matter because Jurrjens set down Roward for the third out.

Bottom Third - McClouth lines out to short stop - nice diving play in the hole to rob a hit. Johnson flys out to left center. Then chipper on the first pitch gets a letter high fastball that barely had the corner and homers to right field, his 9th of the season. Brian McCann then flys out to deep center.

After 3 innings:
Braves 1 3 0
Giants 0 3 0

Giants - 1 double, 2 singles
Braves - 2 singles, 1 homer, 2 walks

Cain has thrown 42 pitches, Jurrjens 33.

Not a bad start to a game. That's 3 straight games I've hit a home run so maybe the power will come around. I haven't changed any user batting settings from what I have posted on the front page and hopefully I won't have to. I'm considering raising the user pitch release slider to 75 to make pitching even harder. I don't really want to raise CPU offense any, I'd rather make pitching more difficult so if I pitch well I can shut an offense down and if I don't I get shelled.

[itbeme23]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

Batters Eye and Zone Hitting do effect things. Check out the default settings for legend and all star below. The fact that the sliders are lower on legend means the higher the slider is, the easier it is to hit. By zeroing them you'll make it more difficult on yourself.

Also you might check the power ratings for the hitters you're having trouble hitting homeruns with. Yunel Escobar and Martin Prado had really low power ratings (45ish and 10 respectively) yet Yunel has hit 9 homeruns and Prado has hit 5 (in limited playing time) this year in real life, so I adjusted their power ratings. Some you may have to adjust in the player ratings, but don't go overboard with it.

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</TD><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">


</TD><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">


</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Pitcher Fatigue</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">50</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>


</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">


</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">


</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl67 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>User Batting</TD><TD class=xl68 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">


</TD><TD class=xl68 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">


</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Batting Success</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">50</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">60</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Batting Contact</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">40</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Batting Power</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">60</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">65</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Pitcher Handedness Influence</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">100</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">100</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>IE Batting Zone Influence</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">100</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">100</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Batting Pitch Influence</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">75</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">75</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Batter's Eye Influence</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">0</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">25</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Hit Direction Influence</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">30</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Zone Hitting Influence</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">30</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">50</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Bunt Contact</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">35</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">40</TD></TR><TR style="HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20><TD class=xl65 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; HEIGHT: 15pt" height=20>Bunt Success</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">40</TD><TD class=xl66 style="BORDER-TOP: medium none; BORDER-LEFT: medium none">45</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE>

Nice catch on the Batter's Eye and Zone Hitting sliders, Blazzen. I probably never would've thought to check the default settings. However, instead of tweaking those sliders, I decided to follow your advice about adjusting the power ratings for most of my marginal power hitters. Using Manny's settings as a guideline, I adjusted everybody's power ratings accordingly. Like you said, I tried not to go overboard with them. I think Manny's power numbers are something like 97 against lefties and 84 against righties. I used those numbers to adjust the power of the other hitters on my team.

Tell me what you think about them. The least thing I want to do is give higer ratings than I should.

I'll give the original power ratings first:

M. Ramirez: 97 vs. L 82 vs. R
M. Kemp: 79 vs. L 60 vs. R
R. Martin: 74 vs. L 62 vs. R
R. Furcal: 56 vs. L 50 vs. R
A. Ethier: 54 vs. L 63 vs. R
O. Hudson: 44 vs. L 54 vs. R
J. Loney: 45 vs. L 57 vs. R
C. Blake: 63 vs. L 68 vs. R

Adjusted Power Ratings

M. Kemp: 85 vs. L 75 vs. R
R. Martin: 78 vs. L 70 vs. R
R. Furcal: 65 vs. L 60 vs. R
A. Ethier: 70 vs. L 80 vs. R
O. Hudson: 60 vs. L 50 vs. R
J. Loney: 60 vs. L 70 vs. R
C. Blake: 72 vs. L 80 vs. R

Again, I used Manny's numbers as a guideline. I tried to keep the numbers proportionate to the originals.

I played my first game with them last night, and I didn't see any super offensive explosion from any of my hitters, although I did have three extra base hits.

SFG: 4 12 1
LAD: 3 10 5

- Yes, that's right, I had FIVE errors. Each one of my outfielders commited at least one error. I then had a throwing error from the pitcher to 1st, on a slow roller, and Blake also commited an infield error.

- I have to say that I deserved to lose this one. There's no way you're going to win if five errors are committed.

Pitchers:

J. Schmidt: 6 IP, 3 ER, 10 Hits = Loss
R. Johnson: 5 IP, 0 ER, 6 Hits = No Decision
J. Affeldt: Win
J. Weaver: Loss

- This one went into extras. I ended up tying the game in the bottom of the eighth. I had runners the bases loaded in the bottom of the ninth with two out, but I lined out to short with Loretta.

- I bring Weaver in for the top of the 10th, and an error by Ethier gives the Giants a leadoff double. That man came around to score. Giants lead 4-3 going into the bottom of the 10th.

- They bring in Wilson for the save, and he retires the side in order.

- I'm very interested in the feedback you have for my adjusted power numbers. Again, I don't think that my hits were anything out of the ordinary for the Dodgers. 7 singles, 2 doubles, 1 triple, and no home runs. I'd say that's pretty realistic. Let me know what you think.

Cheers.

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

I'd say those are close enough. If I had to say one way or another I'd say they are a little high but to be honest I don't follow the Dodgers that much being a Braves fan. The ratings are based on what they did last year so if one of your guys is having a break out year and you want to reflect his real life performance in game maybe you needed to bump them up that much. The Braves only play the Dodgers a few times a year and I think most of those games have yet to come so I haven't followed them much.

I adjusted my hitters power ratings with a similar thought process. Basically Escobar's 9 homeruns (in real life) were right in line with Chippers 9 or 10 Real life homeruns. I think Chipper's power rating was only in the low 70s so I bumped Escobar from a 45 to 65-70. I think I went 60ish on Prado.

Just remember Manny is one of the most proven, prolific power hitters ever. Not many guys get ratings above 90, and most GOOD players are in the mid to high 80s. That's the only reason I say some of those power ratings look high. Manny is a tough player to compare to.

With that being said, I wonder if the living Roster feature updated Manny's power rating after he was caught juicing. +5 power if you use ROIDS! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

[itbeme23]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

I'd say those are close enough. If I had to say one way or another I'd say they are a little high but to be honest I don't follow the Dodgers that much being a Braves fan. The ratings are based on what they did last year so if one of your guys is having a break out year and you want to reflect his real life performance in game maybe you needed to bump them up that much. The Braves only play the Dodgers a few times a year and I think most of those games have yet to come so I haven't followed them much.

I adjusted my hitters power ratings with a similar thought process. Basically Escobar's 9 homeruns (in real life) were right in line with Chippers 9 or 10 Real life homeruns. I think Chipper's power rating was only in the low 70s so I bumped Escobar from a 45 to 65-70. I think I went 60ish on Prado.

Just remember Manny is one of the most proven, prolific power hitters ever. Not many guys get ratings above 90, and most GOOD players are in the mid to high 80s. That's the only reason I say some of those power ratings look high. Manny is a tough player to compare to.

With that being said, I wonder if the living Roster feature updated Manny's power rating after he was caught juicing. +5 power if you use ROIDS! HAHAHAHAHAHA!

Yeah, I kept that in mind as well. I didn't want to jack up everybody's ratings that much, which is why i decided to raise them proportionately to their originals. I actually like to keep very honest when it comes to things like this, so I made sure that I didn't go overboard on the ratings just because I "like" the Dodgers. There are several Dodgers who are having great/breakout seasons so far, which is why I know the power needed adjusting.

The best example I can give to justify me raising the power ratings is Andre Ethier. The guy had 20 HRs and 77 RBI in 2008. This year he already has 19 HRs with 58 RBI. He's definitely going to eclipse last year's numbers being that he's already close to reaching them in the first half of this year.

My next example is Matt Kemp. Last year he hit 18 HRs with 78 RBI. In the first half of this year, he already has 13 HRs and 55 RBI. Same scenario as Ethier. He will definitely finish this season with higher numbers than he did last year.

I really thought that Casey Blake got shafted in the ratings once I saw them. This is a guy who averages 20 HRs and 80 RBI a season. Last year, he hit 21 HRs with 79 RBI. This year he already has 12 HRs with 57 RBI. Again, this is my reasoning for the ratings boost.

Those were really the main players that I thought deserved a significant power boost. As far as other players like Martin, Loney, Furcal, and Hudson, those are questionable. Martin is having another down season in comparison to his rookie year. He's gotten "pull happy", which explains his low batting average. I upped his power a little bit, because he still has the ability to go gap to gap. Loney is a solid hitter that can put the ball in any part of the field, but I think he's more of a contact hitter than a power bat. I conservatively raised his power a bit. Furcal and Hudson are both great hitters, and I didn't raise their power for homers. I raised it so that I can see them hit some doubles, for Christ's sake.

The only player that I am going to adjust again is Matt Kemp. I think I did give him a bit much at 85, so I'll probably lower it to about 82. :wink:

With that said, I played my second game using your sliders with my adjusted ratings.

COL: 0 6 1
LAD: 7 12 0

Pitchers:
R. Wolf: 8 IP, 6 Hits, 0 ER, 10 K = Win
J. De La Rosa: 3.2 IP, 5 ER, 7 Hits = Loss

As you can see, this was a slaughter. Nothing much to say here. De La Rosa was good for the first 3 innings, but I chased him in the fourth, which is where the majority of my runs came from. Casey Blake hit a 2 RBI double after Dexter Fowler booted a fly ball from Manny which resulted in a double.

The main point in this game was Randy Wolf. I love pitching with this guy. When he's on, it's hard for the CPU to hit me. I love his approach. Instead of starting hitters off with the fastball, he works backwards. Get ahead of the hitters with the offspeed stuff (the 70 MPH curve), and still manage to blow them away with an 88-90 MPH fastball.

Pretty good game, overall. I like the variety I'm getting with the sliders, and I haven't seen anything to second-guess my power ratings adjustments.

Off to Game 2 against the Rockies.

Cheers.

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

Played 3 more innings at lunch today.

Jurrjens vs. Cain

Top First - Jurrjens retires Lewis, Winn and Sandoval in order striking out Lewis.

Bottom First - McLouth walks on 4 pitches. Kelly Johnson can't get a bunt down and with two strikes grounds into a double play. Chipper Walks. McCann bloop singles to center, chipper to third. Garrett Anderson flys out to left.

Top Second - Rowand flies out to left. Aurilla hits a drive to left which JUST goes over Garrett Andersens head (it almost looked like he whiffed on the ball ie. outfield glitch but he was running back so it might've gone over his head) and Aurilla ends up with a double. Next batter is the backup short stop who I can't recall his name. He strikes out on 3 pitches. Next batter is Ishikawa. I plunked him with a fastball in his knee on accident haha. After that the second baseman comes up and he slaps a ball to left that Garrett Andersen made a nice running grab on.

Bottom Second- Yunel Escobar lines a first pitch fastball to the second baseman for out 1. Kasey Kotchman then lines to center for a single. Ryan Church lined a ball to center but it was right at Rowand for out 2. Jurrjens then was struck out looking, out 3.

Top Third- Cain jumps on a first pitch fastball and singles to right. Next batter is lewis who strikes out. After that Winn grounds a ball to the hole which Escobar throws out Cain and second and then Johnson almost got a double play with Winn narrowly beating it out at first. Next batter is Sandoval who centers to right center, Winn held at second though I thought he could've made it to third. Didn't matter because Jurrjens set down Roward for the third out.

Bottom Third - McClouth lines out to short stop - nice diving play in the hole to rob a hit. Johnson flys out to left center. Then chipper on the first pitch gets a letter high fastball that barely had the corner and homers to right field, his 9th of the season. Brian McCann then flys out to deep center.

After 3 innings:
Braves 1 3 0
Giants 0 3 0

Giants - 1 double, 2 singles
Braves - 2 singles, 1 homer, 2 walks

Cain has thrown 42 pitches, Jurrjens 33.

Not a bad start to a game. That's 3 straight games I've hit a home run so maybe the power will come around. I haven't changed any user batting settings from what I have posted on the front page and hopefully I won't have to. I'm considering raising the user pitch release slider to 75 to make pitching even harder. I don't really want to raise CPU offense any, I'd rather make pitching more difficult so if I pitch well I can shut an offense down and if I don't I get shelled.

This game ended up going into extras. It was 2-0 through the 8th until a single followed by a misplayed (outfield glitch) ball in the outfiled yielded a triple. Sac fly got the runner in from 3rd.

2-2 score held until the bottom of the 12th or 13th inning when chipper hit a ball off his shoe tops over the left field wall for a walk off homer.

Line was something like:

Giants 2 12 0
Braves 3 9 1

I really think the lack of doubles is due to outfielders closing up gaps too fast. I've hit line drives that perfectly split the outfielders yet the center fielder runs the ball down and makes the play. I'm lowering the fielder speed down to 50. I really hate to do it because I don't want to mess with the sliders that stay constant at default settings but 60 fielder speed is ridiculous. Nothing on the ground goes through the infield and there's no such thing as a gap in the outfield. Seems that either I clear the infields and dump it in front of the outfielders for a single or I hit the ball out.

I made this change part of the way through the Braves vs. Brewers game after a couple balls that should've been doubles were cut off and resulted in singles (one for each side).

Suppan vs. Kawakami

I've never done well against the Brewers, they always hit me well and this game has been no different thus far.

Through 5 innings:

Brewers 9 14 2
Braves 4 7 2

The 2 errors came on one play, both charged to chipper. Chopper to third with a chance for a double play and I threw it into the outfield. Runner from first scored and the batter ended up on second.

Brewers had 11 singles, 2 doubles, 1 walk and a homerun by prince. One of the singles was on the play Chipper threw the ball in the outfield though I'm not sure why it was scored a single. One of the doubles was on an outfield glitch. At least one of the singles should've been a double but I cut the ball off with McLouth before the fielder speed change.

Braves had 6 singles 1 double and 3 walks. The double was by Brian McCann on a line drive hit to right center that was just out of the reach of Hart. I almost moved fielder speed up to 55 after this play but it was a hard hit ball so I left it was realistic enough that it dropped.

Still seeing a few too many singles but I'm going to see what this fielder speed does. I'm wondering if I'll have to lower the success slider since the fielders won't be able to get to as many balls.

Thoughts?

PS. First Page Sliders updated.

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

Joe has a new set of sliders up I think I'm going to give them a shot. I'll probably restart the Brewers vs. Braves game. He did a few interesting things such as change user batting pitch influence to 65 from 75. He also has fielder speed set at 50 which I recently made that change myself. I'm hoping these sliders will result in more extra base hits and less singles/overall hits. Too many games where the CPU scores 3 runs on 12 hits. I do need to walk more batters though, I pitch to contact too much.

Anyways the sliders are below or you can find them in his thread.

OS/BFJ HYBRID ALL STAR BREAK SLIDERS

This set is basically an average off all the sliders for both Human & CPU. These should be set from the Custom Setting ENJOY....

Game Settings
Injuries- OFF (Saw to many injuries from sliding)
Pitcher Fatigue- 45*
Hold Runners- Smart Hold
DH- AL Hosted
Catcher Suggestion- User Preference
Batting
User Settings - Batting
Batting Success-50
Batting Contact- 50
Batting Power- 75
Pitcher Handedness Influence- 100
Inside Edge Batting Zone Influence- 100
Batting Pitch Influence- 65
Batter's Eye Influence- 35
Hit Direction Influence- 50
Zone Hitting Influence- 70
Bunt Contact- 50
Bunt Success- 50

CPU Settings - Batting
AI Batting Success- 40
AI Batting Contact- 60
AI Batting Power- 100
AI Pitcher Handedness Influence- 100
AI Inside Edge Batting Zone Influence- 100
AI Batting Pitch Influence- 75
AI Bunt Contact- 75
AI Bunt Success- 50

User Settings - Pitching
Pitch Meter Speed- 70
Pitch Speed- 80
Gesture Recognition- 40
Hold Timing Influence- 60
Release Timing Influence- 60
Pitch Rating Influence- 100
Pitch Break Influence- 85
Pitcher Composure Influence- 100

CPU Settings - Pitching
AI Pitch Success- 75
AI Pitch Selection Tendency- 100
AI Strike Zone Tendency- 0
AI Pitch Zone Tendency- 35
AI Pitcher Composure Influence- 65

User Settings - Fielding
Fielding Errors- 0
Throw Meter Influence- 65
Fielder Speed- 50

CPU Settings - Fielding Fielding
AI Fielding Errors- 30
AI Fielder Speed- 50

User Settings - Running
Base Runner Speed- 65
Pickoff Success- 35
Catcher Throw-Out Success- 40

CPU Settings - Running
AI Hit'n'Run Tendency- 65
AI Sacrifice Bunt Tendency- 60
AI Squeeze Tendency- 50
AI Base Running Aggression- 65
AI Steal Aggression- 40
AI Steal Success- 40 <!-- / message -->

[mkharsh33]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

i just don't like hit direction influence (user) set at 50...i think it's too high.

i use the left thumb stick for directional hitting and have mine set at 25, and at times i still think that's too high. yes, hits should be placed, but the pitch speed, type, and location should have precedent on this. just my .02...

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

I played three innings at lunch with BFJ's new sliders (I had human fielding at 30 errors and 90 throw meter, CPU 50 errors, otherwise exactly as posted).


Braves vs. Brewers.

Suppan vs. Kawakami

Top First - McLouth down swinging, 1 out. Kelly Johnson line drive single to right. Chipper flew out to deep right. McCann got a low fastball and slapped it down the left field line with the defense playing him to pull. It went into the corner allowing Johnson to score from first on a close play at the plate. I haven't seen a hit like this one before and I attribute it to the 65 batting pitch influence. Great to see. Garrett anderson flew out to end the inning.

Bottom first - Pegged the first batter on first pitch. Next batter struck out swinging. Braun the grounded into a double play. 3 outs.

Top second - Escobar and Kotchman ground out. Church walks. Then Suppan walks Kawakami. That brings up McLouth who strikes out...again. Same pitch too, swinging at a sinker on the outside corner at the knees. Three out.

Bottom second - Fielder singles to left. Hart down swinging. Next two batters singled but Fielder held up at third as he had to go half way and see if the bloop single was going to drop. Struck out the 8th batter. That brought up Suppan. Went 2-2 on him and threw him and letter high fastball slightly outside that he was able to loft over the short stop and score two runs. I got the next batter out.

Top Third - This inning was uneventful. I singled with someone, can't recall, but didn't score.

Bottom Third - First batter was retied. Braun came up and had a 10 pitch at bat which he battled for a walk. Fielder flew out to right. Then Braun was thrown out stealing during Hart's at bat. Three out.

So after three innings the line is:

Braves 1 3 0
Brewers 2 4 0

Braves 2 singles, 1 double, 2 walks
Brewers 4 singles, 1 walk. 2 of the brewers singles were line drives, two were bloop style hits.

It's hard to tell much from 3 innings but the CPU has only hit singles so far which worries me. I expect to see some big offense from the brewers, lots of extra base hits as they always hit me hard.

I'm going to keep testing and I will report back.

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

After using BFJ's sliders for a few games I'm going back to mine but will make a few tweaks. See the first page for updates!

[mkharsh33]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

do you use the left thumb stick for directional hitting?

just curious - noticed you've now set this at 50. personally, i've felt this to be too high as the left thumb stick can basically direct every pitch in the desired direction, which, IMO, just doesn't happen in baseball all that often.

thanks!

[Blazzen]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

I do use it some. It can mess you up though. Try pulling a low and outside pitch you'll roll over it and ground out much like you would in real life. Point the stick the other way on an outside pitch and you have a shot at hitting it to the left center field gap.

It's needed to hit an accurate amount of extra base hits, especially home runs. You'll still hit ground balls using it as well as weak fly balls, but if you get a good pitch to hit itll let you drive it better if you have it pointed in the right direction. This is something that BFJ had in his sliders.

The big thing I did was change the pitching settings. I found that having the hold slider influence (how long you charge a pitch up or if you get a perfect pitch) a good bit higher makes it so you can strike out a lot more batters. You get more swings and misses on a highly rated pitch if youre able to charge it up more. I counteracted this by the higher release timing and gesture sliders to make pitching still difficult and throw a decent number of balls.

I also left fielder speed at 50. 60 is too fast. 50 lets hard balls go through the holes in the infield and down the lines and lets gappers fall.

I played 3 innings last night and I believe the line was:

Braves 1 3 0
Brewers 3 6 0

Braves 2 singles 1 double 1 walk
Brewers 4 singles 1 double 1 homerun (2 run shot from hart) 1 walk

I think I'm getting closer to perfecting my sliders. Braves run totals were fine it was just too many singles and not enough extra base hits. CPU run totals needed to be raised so hopefully more hits will be extra base hits, a few more walks, and an error or two here or there.

I'll post results when I have them.

[mkharsh33]

Re: Blazzen's Slider Research Thread

when you get closer to posting your new set, let me know...i'm getting p!ssed at myself for not being able to nail them.

i played Cards (me) vs. Mets (CPU) last night.

great game - wainwright pitched 8 innings (94 pitches) and struck out 8, giving up 2 runs (1 earned). i brought in reyes and he blows up giving up 6 runs, never recording an out. mcclellan finished out, giving up a run or two of his own. i got shutout 9-0 against santana. three times i had runners at the corners with less than 2 outs and couldn't get it done.

but i still don't like my sliders as i feel i've made pitching a bit too hard - relievers just get shelled in this game as most of them have awful attributes.

oh well... at least i have fun editing rosters (LOL!).

but i'm looking forward to your latest set... thanks! mike