MLB 11 The Show News Post

OS Guide to Winning in the Playoffs

11:24 AM - October 12, 2011 by RaychelSnr

If you’ve been playing MLB 11: The Show along with the real MLB Season, hopefully you’ve secured a spot in the playoffs. It doesn’t matter if you’ve mirrored real life successes, did what the Red Sox and Braves couldn’t or captained a long shot like the Orioles or Pirates, but most playoff-bound teams can increase their success by following a few of the following guidelines.

Pitching:

Shorten your Staff: Most real MLB teams shrink their rotation, especially in the early five game Divisional series. Try to use your top three starters as much as possible, especially if there is a big drop off between your ace(s) and the bottom of your rotation.

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Member Comments

# 1 Yankees2009Champs @ 10/12/11 04:05 PM

Great article, I agree with pretty much everything you said.

Expanding on the shifts part, I like to change it up late in games. I use Guard lines and a deep outfield to promote a "no doubles" defense.

Getting guys into scoring position is essential. Guy on first, steal. Guys on first and second, bunt them over. Guy on 2nd, hit to the right, get him to 3rd. EVERY out is critical.

Go to closer for more than the 9th. If you got a guy like Freddy Garcia, just get him to through the 6th. Using set up guy to take care of 7th, 1-2 in the 8th. Bring in closer for last 4-5 outs.

# 2 GivenWings @ 10/12/11 04:42 PM

Love the contribution Caley !.

Can I assume that these tips and advice also apply to MLB 2K11 as well?. =P

By the way, what are your thoughts on playing a Season or Franchise mode w/ an upgraded or altered roster rather than the originals?.

Thanks,

Jonathan

# 3 Knight165 @ 10/12/11 07:06 PM

Very good article.
While some may say obvious points.....I wonder how many use the strategies that seem so "obvious".

Like Yankee said......shifts. I'm sure most just let the game do the DP depth and maybe "play in" for a bunt situation. But in the 8th....9th guarding the lines is essential. Also setting up your defense to the way you pitch can also make a big difference.
(I do agree ...the Howard/Ortiz shifts are pretty much not worth employing)

For me...the biggest is pitching around certain players either late in the game or in certain situations with the top players on another club.
Also...checking the catcher arm ratings and either running or not running.
Playing in for the weaker hitters(OF)......

Good points on the underlying strategies of the game.

M.K.
Knight165

# 4 gmat2 @ 10/13/11 03:27 PM

Is there a way to set a defensive positioning before a game? I hate... HATE when the OF plays deep. I feel like the baserunners are more manageable from the "Normal" depth. Too many first-to-thirds and it's nearly impossible to throw anyone out at the plate because of the time it takes them to get to a base hit. Even with an average defensive outfield I think you'll be able to limit the doubles and runners taking extra bases when at the normal depth. Playing them Deep has hurt me more often than it's helped.

# 5 Yankees2009Champs @ 10/13/11 07:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gmat2


	Is there a way to set a defensive positioning before a game? I hate... HATE when the OF plays deep. I feel like the baserunners are more manageable from the "Normal" depth. Too many first-to-thirds and it's nearly impossible to throw anyone out at the plate because of the time it takes them to get to a base hit. Even with an average defensive outfield I think you'll be able to limit the doubles and runners taking extra bases when at the normal depth. Playing them Deep has hurt me more often than it's helped.

I can understand your last comment but here's what I mean of a deep outfield. Playing deep gets your momentum going forward and not backward. Point is, if the guy hits a deep one, and it goes to the wall, that guy is going first to home.

# 6 pootytang @ 10/13/11 09:24 PM

What are the Bonds or Howard shifts?

# 7 Petey B @ 10/13/11 09:54 PM

THE SHOW may be the game that I love the most that is also the hardest to win the brass ring. That may be a byproduct of how the sport is played, so many regular season games, so few spots available in the post season. However, I have found over the years SHOW breaks my heart worse than Madden (that game's easy, let's cut the BS) or NBA2K (once you're good you're pretty much unstoppable, right?). I've had leads blown in the 9th by legendary Game Seven home runs, and emotionally shattering plays at the plate too many times to get specific. Baseball is a negative sport, at least the way I sim it.

# 8 Armor and Sword @ 10/14/11 07:11 AM

I finally...finally finshed my Yankees first season in my chise. We are in the ALDS vs The Oakland A's.

Great article.

Game one I jumped on them 4-0 behind the strength of a Teixeira 3 run HR in the first inning. Being patient is so important in the post season. Jeter led off with a first pitch blast to left center for a double. Granderson sac him over to third. A-Rod Walked then Mark came up and blasted a 2-1 fastball to center field.

Late in the game in the 8th inning the A's had second and third and 2 out and Godzilla up at the plate. We were up 4-1. I guarded the lines. Low and behold Matsui rips a slider right down the first base line and Teixeira lays out and snags the crucial screamer to end the inning and essentially close the door on game one.

Again great article. Everything you mentioned is crucial to winning in the post season. And I have never even made it to the WS yet in 3 attempts from the SHow 2009.

Hopefully this year it will be different!

# 9 Pete_Dogg_18 @ 10/14/11 01:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Armor & Sword


	I finally...finally finshed my Yankees first season in my chise. We are in the ALDS vs The Oakland A's. Great article. Game one I jumped on them 4-0 behind the strength of a Teixeira 3 run HR in the first inning. Being patient is so important in the post season. Jeter led off with a first pitch blast to left center for a double. Granderson sac him over to third. A-Rod Walked then Mark came up and blasted a 2-1 fastball to center field. Late in the game in the 8th inning the A's had second and third and 2 out and Godzilla up at the plate. We were up 4-1. I guarded the lines. Low and behold Matsui rips a slider right down the first base line and Teixeira lays out and snags the crucial screamer to end the inning and essentially close the door on game one. Again great article. Everything you mentioned is crucial to winning in the post season. And I have never even made it to the WS yet in 3 attempts from the SHow 2009. Hopefully this year it will be different!

Sounds like a ripper of a series, all the best mate...

As for me, besides the shortened rotations and using starters as relievers, i pretty much do everything as this guide states all season long, a very informative guide to those not completely familiar with the intricacies of baseball...

# 10 BwanaKuu @ 10/16/11 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pete_Dogg_18


	Sounds like a ripper of a series, all the best mate... As for me, besides the shortened rotations and using starters as relievers, i pretty much do everything as this guide states all season long, a very informative guide to those not completely familiar with the intricacies of baseball...

Yea I can understand why they play regular season games a little different IRL but in the show, you should just play every game like a postseason game. Only thing you have to manage more is fatigue of the pitchers/players due to the everyday play.

If you apply these tactics during the regular season, you'll just be a better team overall.

# 11 Armor and Sword @ 10/18/11 08:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Petey B


	THE SHOW may be the game that I love the most that is also the hardest to win the brass ring. That may be a byproduct of how the sport is played, so many regular season games, so few spots available in the post season. However, I have found over the years SHOW breaks my heart worse than Madden (that game's easy, let's cut the BS) or NBA2K (once you're good you're pretty much unstoppable, right?). I've had leads blown in the 9th by legendary Game Seven home runs, and emotionally shattering plays at the plate too many times to get specific. Baseball is a negative sport, at least the way I sim it.

Tell me about it.

Last night. Game three of the ALDS. Mariano comes in to finsh the game. Two run lead. Lead off walk, single, then Godzilla comes up. Takes a 2-2 cutter deep.

Walk off HR. I was just staring at the screen for a good solid 10 minutes in stoned silence.

Series is now 2-1 Yankees.

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OS Guide to Winning in the Playoffs