[Bullit]

I actually use Play Off mode to decide who I am going to play in Franchise mode.

I start with a list of teams from both leagues that I am interested in playing. Then I rank them in order of least to most interested and plug them in to the bracket. Least interested is the Wild Card and so on.

Then I play everyone's home games. That lets me see all of the stadiums and get a feel for any that I just might not like at all. I check out stadium stuff like mascots, cut scenes etc. Playing only the home games I feel gives each team a real shot at being successful.

At the end whomever wins the World Series is the team that I play in Franchise mode for that year. With carry over saves into the next game I will probably keep this Franchise going and maybe do the whole thing again next year and run with two franchises until I can see which I am having more fun with.