Season 3 (2021) Discussion: 12/17/18-12/23/18

[captainbuttercream]

On my second team Trevor 'Bobby Hill' Cahill is inexplicably putting together a Cy Young-caliber season. He has a 2.34 ERA and 1.06 WHIP through 16 starts.

[mess]

I probably overpaid for Peak Robbie Alomar @ 4000 PP but he's been an amazing addition.

I now have a rotation of Altuve, C Seager, and Alomar at the 2B, 3B, and SS positions and getting great results. Seager now has a higher 3B rating than SS.

I haven't checked the standings yet today, but before I went to bed I was leading my division by a few games last night in Gold 308

[2002halos]

Originally Posted by Kushiel

I agree. But Thalion, I think all we need to do is make the playoffs against some of these guys. Sure their talent is top notch and some have figured out which of their 100's are worthless and replaced them with better ones. But some of these teams are just a hodgepodge of high cards that I think we can take in a short series. There is even one with all his left handed hitting park factors turned way down. He has half left handed sluggers including the Babe in his lineup.

I gotta give you kudos for currently ranking 3rd in the Power Rankings with only 2 Perfects on your roster. Meanwhile Adirondack has 13 and is only 5th, and currently sits 12 1/2 GB For the Horde who has 7 on his. That makes me smile. Perhaps he only recently added some of them... That's my excuse for having one more (8 to 7) than my division leader. At this rate, I'll miss promotion from Diamond to Perfect leagues, 'cuz I'm probably getting close to my limits on what I can spend until January.

Meanwhile our friend Thalion has no 100's on his roster and remains respectable at 10th in the rankings and just ahead for the second wild card. This week is crazy... Next week will be completely insane.

[Morug]

Just hit this card:


https://imgur.com/a/jqcCJ0v


Crazy pitching and batting stats combo.

[Kushiel]

Originally Posted by 2002halos

I gotta give you kudos for currently ranking 3rd in the Power Rankings with only 2 Perfects on your roster. Meanwhile Adirondack has 13 and is only 5th, and currently sits 12 1/2 GB For the Horde who has 7 on his. That makes me smile. Perhaps he only recently added some of them... That's my excuse for having one more (8 to 7) than my division leader. At this rate, I'll miss promotion from Diamond to Perfect leagues, 'cuz I'm probably getting close to my limits on what I can spend until January.

Meanwhile our friend Thalion has no 100's on his roster and remains respectable at 10th in the rankings and just ahead for the second wild card. This week is crazy... Next week will be completely insane.

Thank you! I am a firm believer that we do not have to have all those perfects to be competitive. I have 2 no brainers, Trout and Betts. Past that as you have seen I have a team with a plan. I have quite a few golds making important contributions.. Oh, and those two perfects do fit in I am not saying that I can win it, but I doubt I get embarrassed. You, Thalion and I can play with these guys as long as we stay true to what we are doing. Thalion swept me last night. None of these teams with all the perfects have managed that

[Kushiel]

Originally Posted by Morug

Just hit this card:


https://imgur.com/a/jqcCJ0v


Crazy pitching and batting stats combo.

Good luck with him! I hope he helps get you into a streak.

It will likely be the only 100 he ever gets. Of course that is only my opinion and as such means nothing

[Morug]

Originally Posted by Kushiel

Good luck with him! I hope he helps get you into a streak.

It will likely be the only 100 he ever gets. Of course that is only my opinion and as such means nothing

He will help me to finish my Expos team...I dont think i'll play him. I will be in the auction house soon. Hope he will sell at a good price, winning price average is 192 K PP.

[zrog2000]

I think Ohtani isn't quite as valuable as he would be in real life. He basically gives the team an extra roster spot, but that doesn't help as much in PT given the lack of injuries.

[Kushiel]

Originally Posted by Morug

He will help me to finish my Expos team...I dont think i'll play him. I will be in the auction house soon. Hope he will sell at a good price, winning price average is 192 K PP.

I think you can make a really good deal for him on the AH.He has that popularity factor working right now. Good luck with getting your Expos set!

[Thalion]

Originally Posted by 2002halos

I gotta give you kudos for currently ranking 3rd in the Power Rankings with only 2 Perfects on your roster. Meanwhile Adirondack has 13 and is only 5th, and currently sits 12 1/2 GB For the Horde who has 7 on his. That makes me smile. Perhaps he only recently added some of them... That's my excuse for having one more (8 to 7) than my division leader. At this rate, I'll miss promotion from Diamond to Perfect leagues, 'cuz I'm probably getting close to my limits on what I can spend until January.

Meanwhile our friend Thalion has no 100's on his roster and remains respectable at 10th in the rankings and just ahead for the second wild card. This week is crazy... Next week will be completely insane.

That's because I'm such an UBER manager! Actually, I'm more of a LYFT them up kind of guy.

I have to say it's been tough, but mainly because I look at nearly all of the perfect cards being the wrong "fit" for my team.

First, all of the Live Cards are out. I mean, they're great players and all but I have a historical team and I won't compromise on that.

Then, they have to also be excellent fielders and good/great baserunners. Guys like Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig don't make the cut there. Finally, there's the "if I don't like you, there's no chance you're on my team" criteria. Ty Cobb, I'm looking at you.

That pretty much excludes most of the perfects.

LOL, just as I say that I see a perfect Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson this morning. But, ooooooh... what people want for those.

Seriously though, I'm of the opinion, and I may be in the minority of the "whales" in that I'm going to do the best with what I have and if I never get promoted to the highest levels, then so be it because I'm always going to have a team I'm happy with. I'm not going to sweat it and begrudge what others may have. Life is too short for something like that, especially with a video game.

[zrog2000]

Quite a battle for my 2nd team. Spokane is right on my heels and won 10 in a row. We have the top two wild card spots with a 7 game lead over the 3rd team (8 for mine).

[Thalion]

Kushiel, I think my team is playing beyond my expectations given the makeup of the league. Barring a summer swoon, I have a pretty good chance of being promoted, even if I don't make the playoffs. (I'm in a fight for the last wildcard spot).

If I do, I hope we end up in the same league/division again. In the beginning, I was of the opinion that I didn't want to see the same teams season after season, but I must admit that I enjoy being your nemesis.

Though the league is stacked, I'm chatting with a lot of managers from .301 both here and in Discord. It's been very civil and respectful. I've been pleasantly surprised by that.

[Orcin]

Originally Posted by Thalion

First, all of the Live Cards are out. I mean, they're great players and all but I have a historical team and I won't compromise on that.

Then, they have to also be excellent fielders and good/great baserunners. Guys like Ted Williams and Lou Gehrig don't make the cut there. Finally, there's the "if I don't like you, there's no chance you're on my team" criteria. Ty Cobb, I'm looking at you.

That pretty much excludes most of the perfects.

LOL, just as I say that I see a perfect Willie Mays and Jackie Robinson this morning. But, ooooooh... what people want for those.

Seriously though, I'm of the opinion, and I may be in the minority of the "whales" in that I'm going to do the best with what I have and if I never get promoted to the highest levels, then so be it because I'm always going to have a team I'm happy with. I'm not going to sweat it and begrudge what others may have. Life is too short for something like that, especially with a video game.

I am not in your league so I can't see it. Could you post your lineup/rotation? I am curious about it because I am trying to go all-historical also.

[Thalion]

Orcin, I'll try to do it when I get home tonight. I just got to work but I'm being naughty by hanging out in the forums pretty much all day.

(Note that I AM a self admitted whale. Maybe not the most efficient one, but Markus is probably very grateful that I am making payments on his Porche)

[2002halos]

Originally Posted by Morug

Just hit this card:


https://imgur.com/a/jqcCJ0v


Crazy pitching and batting stats combo.

In Gold .291, mine currently has a 2.87 ERA and an OPS of .891.

With a combined WAR of 4.1 before the All-Star break, he trails only my Trout, another Trout and somebody's 89 OVR Pujols.

It's almost as fun to watch him here as it was at the Big A this year.

[NYY #23]

June was a rough month as we went 12-16. July is starting out rough with a 1-3 record and my lead on the division is slipping and down to 3 1/2 games. My offense has really been anemic lately, but that could be the run of tough pitchers we've faced.

If it wasn't for Tommy Davis and Dave Parker things would have been even worse. Hoping some other bats can start producing soon though.

[2002halos]

Originally Posted by Kushiel

Thank you! I am a firm believer that we do not have to have all those perfects to be competitive. I have 2 no brainers, Trout and Betts. Past that as you have seen I have a team with a plan. I have quite a few golds making important contributions.. Oh, and those two perfects do fit in I am not saying that I can win it, but I doubt I get embarrassed. You, Thalion and I can play with these guys as long as we stay true to what we are doing. Thalion swept me last night. None of these teams with all the perfects have managed that

Ultimately you need a plan AND top talent. I didn't play in the Beta and am picking up OOTP after probably 10+ years away from it, so I feel disadvantaged compared to people who know the ins and outs of managing the roster and simulation strategies, quirks and do's and don'ts. But I'm a quick study, and while I don't have the budget that some clearly do, I'm obviously spending more than most. And my professional background is in statistical analysis. Probably a lot to do with why I love baseball in general and OOTP in particular.

Anyway as you're aware, the great cards just give you more options and you have to know how to use them. Just throwing them out there will only get you so far. Like you say, a plan... there's a reason I'm carrying a 79 OVR Andrelton Simmons, and it's not just because I'm an Angel fan. Ultimately I'll probably give up his extra edge for a higher impact with that roster spot, but he's working out great on two of my teams, and I will get him for my struggling Silver level FTP team after I save up enough points to solve that team's pitching woes. (Not that he wouldn't help with that a little, but it's a team built on flyball pitchers, who besides needing better ratings need better range outfielders.)

[vyshka]

Originally Posted by 2002halos

Well, Thalion, your run of knocking me out of the playoffs comes to an end unless we both make the WS. I'd take that.

I'm facing a 2nd Wild Card slot again it looks like.
Trying to keep up with Everett is crazy. I upgraded my rotation with perfect Randy Johnson and Koufax, in time to throw 3 lefties at him in a 3-game series, 'cuz he's a little less fearsome against lefties.

Game 1 was my perfect Johnson against his. Mine lasted longer, but the game was a slugfest with every pitcher including relievers giving up at least a run, and I lost 11-7.

Koufax won for me in game 2, 7-2, w/ a CG 5-hitter, against his number 5 starter a 93 Maddux. Thought I had a great chance to take 2 of 3 with my Sale going against his 96 Greinke, but lost 2-0 with 9 LOB.

So much for any chance of catching him. Playing well enough to get a big lead over the 3rd wild card contender, but he doesn't lose often enough to make up for how far back I am.

His team is pretty ridiculous. Just lost to him 8-9 and his relief pitcher was Kershaw. Hoping I can maybe take 1 from him to slow him down a bit for you and continue to keep me above relegation.

[Thalion]

I totally get what you're saying 2002halos, but I am far from an OOTP expert. Heck, I have to cheat in single player just to have a chance. Commissioner Mode for the win!!!

Actually, where I got my "plan" is basically a two-fold combination of growing up in the 60's - 70's where pitching/defense ruled supreme combined with my hearing on sports talk radio during the World Series lamenting about their team's inability to "do the little things to score runs when in the playoffs" instead of being only capable of playing homerun-strikeout-walk baseball.

[2002halos]

Originally Posted by Kushiel

Good luck with him! I hope he helps get you into a streak.

It will likely be the only 100 he ever gets. Of course that is only my opinion and as such means nothing

Depends entirely on his health. He's that good when healthy. I was at his home pitching debut. His pitching numbers were decent, despite pitching in pain probably half of his outings. Besides the Tommy John surgery, he also has recurring blister trouble.

And his bat is impressive. One of the handful of men in the world who can hit home runs that leave other major leaguers with their jaws dropped open in awe, or giggling and shaking their heads. If they clear him to hit the whole season, and we know he won't pitch in 2019, I'm expecting 40+ home runs and above .800 OPS. Really, the sky's the limit for him if he recovers from his surgery to the same level he pitched at before. Certainly not every pitcher does though, so perhaps you'll turn out to be correct.

By the way, Angels have two more two-way players under development in the minors. I love that they're recognizing the value and innovating... innovation is not something this franchise has previously been known for.

I'm just glad that in my middle to late years of life I get to watch in Trout and Ohtani two of the most uniquely exciting players in the history of the game from premium club seats! Add them to the uniqueness of Nolan Ryan, Jim Abbott, and Vladimir Guerrero, and I feel that Angel fans have indeed been blessed by heaven.