How to improve my Playoff Push?

TylerG30 · 07-20-2010, 02:59 PM

So, after 5 years of playing, I've finally started figuring things out, but my team faulters in the playoffs. The last 2 years, I won 97 and 98 games respectively. In those years, I won a total of 1 playoff game. I did hire a new hitting coach last year, but my runs went from #1 to #4 in the AL. I know a few of my starters had less than spectacular offensive years, but not sure I want to ditch the coach yet, since his teaching hitting skill is excellent. Has anybody had success in the playoffs that they could share? Trying to figure what step I should take in the off season

Curve Ball Dave · 07-20-2010, 05:17 PM

For the playoffs you need pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Better to have a Cy Young caliber ace who will give a chance every time out than a guy who can slug the ball. If your closer is anything less than 5 star, get someone else too.

At least that's been my experience.

TylerG30 · 07-20-2010, 05:33 PM

My closer has been an all star the last 2 years, so I'll stick with him. I went out and got my ace......Strasburg, $188 million later haha, hope he doesn't get injured!!! Ohhh and brought back Pujols for $80 million, yeah call me the Yankees lol. Just didn't think my stud 1B in AAA is quite ready yet

damientheomen3 · 07-20-2010, 05:46 PM

As I've said before, the worst team in the playoffs wins it all often in OOTP, so if I were you I'd tone it down to an 88-90 win cailber team.

Curve Ball Dave · 07-20-2010, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerG30

My closer has been an all star the last 2 years, so I'll stick with him. I went out and got my ace......Strasburg, $188 million later haha, hope he doesn't get injured!!! Ohhh and brought back Pujols for $80 million, yeah call me the Yankees lol. Just didn't think my stud 1B in AAA is quite ready yet

I wish I had your owner. I'm over budget for my current season thanks to the extensions I signed my best players to. It was either that or lose them to free agency and watch my fan interest crash to zero. About the only I guys I can right now get would have to be on minor league contracts.

TylerG30 · 07-20-2010, 05:51 PM

Well, since my team can't hit, 88 might be a stretch this year lol

Malleus Dei · 07-20-2010, 06:24 PM

To win in the playoffs have two pitching aces. One will likely not do. Also try to get the best closer in your league.

TylerG30 · 07-20-2010, 06:36 PM

I know this is off-topic, but all the ratings mysteriously disappeared! I went to options, and ratings <max are still set to YES. Any ideas what could have went wrong? I didn't change any settings, they just went blank all of a sudden.

Anyway, my closer has been in the top 3 in saves the last couple of years. All my starters, if I remember correctly, are 4+ stars. My middle relief struggles, so I set my starters to not be hooked too early. Looks like innings 6-8 is where I lose a lot of games

RchW · 07-20-2010, 08:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerG30

I know this is off-topic, but all the ratings mysteriously disappeared! I went to options, and ratings <max are still set to YES. Any ideas what could have went wrong? I didn't change any settings, they just went blank all of a sudden.

Anyway, my closer has been in the top 3 in saves the last couple of years. All my starters, if I remember correctly, are 4+ stars. My middle relief struggles, so I set my starters to not be hooked too early. Looks like innings 6-8 is where I lose a lot of games

You toggled your scouting to OSA. Click the drop down and choose your scout.

Overkill · 07-20-2010, 10:00 PM

Lots of people seem to agree that you need at least one good ace, and others are telling you to go after the best closer in your league. Myself, I always aim to have the best bullpen and it generally works. Typically, I'll have about 2-3 guys who could be a closer on almost any other team in the league and that helps get me through the late innings.

I'm not saying have good starters is unnecessary, but they can only do so much for you. Essentially, I think back to some great championship teams. The Jays with Duane Ward and Tom Henke, the Yankees with Mariano Rivera and John Wetteland, the Angels with Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez, or the Red Sox with Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima.

Have a good closer and a great setup man. I like to think that in real life a good starter can give his team 7 innings and then turn it over to a 2-man bullpen, so that's how I try to build my teams.

TylerG30 · 07-20-2010, 10:15 PM

Funny you said Okajima.....I had him for 3 years, and don't think his ERA was ever under 7.00 lol. Now my pitching is pretty stellar, but I can't hit a lick! The talent is there, have 5 guys who drove in 100+ last year, also have David Wright who's struggling AGAIN, but I would say every other game I get shut out. A lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games. I even had player of the month in April and one in May, have you guys done anything special to increase your hitters? I have a good hitting coach, and the mood of all players, except 1, are at least ok. Trying to think of other stuff I could do. Think I spent too much in the off season, my payroll is over $150 million lol

Left-handed Badger · 07-20-2010, 11:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Overkill

Lots of people seem to agree that you need at least one good ace, and others are telling you to go after the best closer in your league. Myself, I always aim to have the best bullpen and it generally works. Typically, I'll have about 2-3 guys who could be a closer on almost any other team in the league and that helps get me through the late innings.

I'm not saying have good starters is unnecessary, but they can only do so much for you. Essentially, I think back to some great championship teams. The Jays with Duane Ward and Tom Henke, the Yankees with Mariano Rivera and John Wetteland, the Angels with Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez, or the Red Sox with Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima.

Have a good closer and a great setup man. I like to think that in real life a good starter can give his team 7 innings and then turn it over to a 2-man bullpen, so that's how I try to build my teams.

I myself dont rely on one closer. I usually have 2 guys get significant amount of saves. And sometimes 3-4 with 8 or more. While I might have one who gets most of the saves 25-30 say. I am not always reluctant to use him in a 7th or 8th situation if need be. If he doesnt whine about things I tend to reward him at contract time for it.

Left-handed Badger · 07-20-2010, 11:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerG30

Funny you said Okajima.....I had him for 3 years, and don't think his ERA was ever under 7.00 lol. Now my pitching is pretty stellar, but I can't hit a lick! The talent is there, have 5 guys who drove in 100+ last year, also have David Wright who's struggling AGAIN, but I would say every other game I get shut out. A lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games. I even had player of the month in April and one in May, have you guys done anything special to increase your hitters? I have a good hitting coach, and the mood of all players, except 1, are at least ok. Trying to think of other stuff I could do. Think I spent too much in the off season, my payroll is over $150 million lol

Actually mentioning your hitting reminded me. I have found the top rated coaches/scouts arent as effective for me as the ones rated a slot below.

My theory is that if it models real life perhaps it is the coaches "ego". A coach with a rep as a "genius" could possibly be stubborn about their ideas. And clash some with his students. While with one who is just "very good" he might be less stubborn and play to his students strengths/weaknesses without trying to radically altering.

We've all heard the story of John McGraw keeping a teenage Mel Ott on his bench because he didnt want a minor league manager messing with his swing.

Anyhow, just my theory.

Tram2Whitaker · 07-21-2010, 12:08 AM

First, with your 40 man roster, have it scheduled that your aces are rested for the end of the season. Once the playoffs start, I go to a 4 man rotation, stick the 5th in the mop up role, and send one of my relievers to AAA. I dedicate an extra spot to a batter (especially now that I'm down to a 24 man roster), so I can have the defensive specialist and the pinch hitter.

TylerG30 · 07-21-2010, 12:35 AM

can you schedule your starters to rest? I mean, usually you have a few days off before the playoffs start. One of my starters just went down for 4-5 months, so if I make the post season, I'm gonna be forced to go with my 4 reg starters anyway now.

Tram2Whitaker · 07-21-2010, 03:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TylerG30

can you schedule your starters to rest? I mean, usually you have a few days off before the playoffs start. One of my starters just went down for 4-5 months, so if I make the post season, I'm gonna be forced to go with my 4 reg starters anyway now.

It's easier if you've already clinched. I mean obviously, if you have a situation like the Tigers/Twins last year, I wouldn't dream of it. Usually though, I've got 6+ games on 2nd place, I go in and take (particularly my SP) the regulars out and replace them with Sep call ups. Or, to keep my Aces from being used as MRs by the AI (that's a lot of abbreviations) I just sim 1 game at a time, fiddling with my rotation between games ( I also do this if I'm trying to get 20 wins)

Curve Ball Dave · 07-21-2010, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tram2Whitaker

It's easier if you've already clinched. I mean obviously, if you have a situation like the Tigers/Twins last year, I wouldn't dream of it. Usually though, I've got 6+ games on 2nd place, I go in and take (particularly my SP) the regulars out and replace them with Sep call ups. Or, to keep my Aces from being used as MRs by the AI (that's a lot of abbreviations) I just sim 1 game at a time, fiddling with my rotation between games ( I also do this if I'm trying to get 20 wins)

+1

I've called guys up from AA to pitch the last few games of seasons when I had the luxury.

I emphasis the word "when". In my last season I won the division by only 2 games.

07-20-2010, 05:17 PM	#2
Curve Ball Dave Hall Of Famer Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Chicago Posts: 2,392	For the playoffs you need pitching, pitching, and more pitching. Better to have a Cy Young caliber ace who will give a chance every time out than a guy who can slug the ball. If your closer is anything less than 5 star, get someone else too. At least that's been my experience. __________________ "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing"-Warren Spahn.

07-20-2010, 10:00 PM	#10
Overkill Minors (Double A) Join Date: Dec 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 195	Lots of people seem to agree that you need at least one good ace, and others are telling you to go after the best closer in your league. Myself, I always aim to have the best bullpen and it generally works. Typically, I'll have about 2-3 guys who could be a closer on almost any other team in the league and that helps get me through the late innings. I'm not saying have good starters is unnecessary, but they can only do so much for you. Essentially, I think back to some great championship teams. The Jays with Duane Ward and Tom Henke, the Yankees with Mariano Rivera and John Wetteland, the Angels with Troy Percival and Francisco Rodriguez, or the Red Sox with Jonathan Papelbon and Hideki Okajima. Have a good closer and a great setup man. I like to think that in real life a good starter can give his team 7 innings and then turn it over to a 2-man bullpen, so that's how I try to build my teams. __________________ Check out my blog. I've had opinions for a long time, but never really voiced them so I thought I'd give it a shot to see if other people agree. If you read, please feel free to comment. MLB Theorem

07-21-2010, 12:08 AM	#14
Tram2Whitaker All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 619	First, with your 40 man roster, have it scheduled that your aces are rested for the end of the season. Once the playoffs start, I go to a 4 man rotation, stick the 5th in the mop up role, and send one of my relievers to AAA. I dedicate an extra spot to a batter (especially now that I'm down to a 24 man roster), so I can have the defensive specialist and the pinch hitter. __________________ 404'd!

07-20-2010, 02:59 PM	#1
TylerG30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 42	How to improve my Playoff Push? So, after 5 years of playing, I've finally started figuring things out, but my team faulters in the playoffs. The last 2 years, I won 97 and 98 games respectively. In those years, I won a total of 1 playoff game. I did hire a new hitting coach last year, but my runs went from #1 to #4 in the AL. I know a few of my starters had less than spectacular offensive years, but not sure I want to ditch the coach yet, since his teaching hitting skill is excellent. Has anybody had success in the playoffs that they could share? Trying to figure what step I should take in the off season

07-20-2010, 05:33 PM	#3
TylerG30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 42	My closer has been an all star the last 2 years, so I'll stick with him. I went out and got my ace......Strasburg, $188 million later haha, hope he doesn't get injured!!! Ohhh and brought back Pujols for $80 million, yeah call me the Yankees lol. Just didn't think my stud 1B in AAA is quite ready yet

07-20-2010, 05:51 PM	#6
TylerG30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 42	Well, since my team can't hit, 88 might be a stretch this year lol

07-20-2010, 06:36 PM	#8
TylerG30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 42	I know this is off-topic, but all the ratings mysteriously disappeared! I went to options, and ratings <max are still set to YES. Any ideas what could have went wrong? I didn't change any settings, they just went blank all of a sudden. Anyway, my closer has been in the top 3 in saves the last couple of years. All my starters, if I remember correctly, are 4+ stars. My middle relief struggles, so I set my starters to not be hooked too early. Looks like innings 6-8 is where I lose a lot of games

07-20-2010, 10:15 PM	#11
TylerG30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 42	Funny you said Okajima.....I had him for 3 years, and don't think his ERA was ever under 7.00 lol. Now my pitching is pretty stellar, but I can't hit a lick! The talent is there, have 5 guys who drove in 100+ last year, also have David Wright who's struggling AGAIN, but I would say every other game I get shut out. A lot of 1-0 and 2-1 games. I even had player of the month in April and one in May, have you guys done anything special to increase your hitters? I have a good hitting coach, and the mood of all players, except 1, are at least ok. Trying to think of other stuff I could do. Think I spent too much in the off season, my payroll is over $150 million lol

07-21-2010, 12:35 AM	#15
TylerG30 Minors (Rookie Ball) Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 42	can you schedule your starters to rest? I mean, usually you have a few days off before the playoffs start. One of my starters just went down for 4-5 months, so if I make the post season, I'm gonna be forced to go with my 4 reg starters anyway now.