Need Advice, I Must Have No Clue

Berger · 11-21-2013, 12:10 AM

This game is the most horrible, frustrating daunting game. And I'm in love with it. Apparently, it doesn't love me back.

In a single player game, I've taken over as the Astros for obvious reasons. I've done a nice job (I think) of building up the talent on the roster and have a lot of talented young guys. I should've been winning a few seasons ago, but here I am, finishing up the 2019 season, yet to make the playoffs. Here's the main reason why.

Pitching. Hitting isn't a problem, I've finished in the top 5 in each of the past three seasons, but to cap off my most recent season, my starter's ERA is at 16th and the bullpen is at 14th. I've tried over multiple years to bring in competent pitchers, guys that either have the stats most importantly, but have the talent as well. For Example:

Pitcher #1: 4.5/4.5 - 30 yrs has posted a 5.06, 4.36 and 4.86 ERA in past three years, WHIP around 1.45
Pitcher #2: 3.5/3.5 - Had a 3.5 career ERA prior to signing with us. Has put up 4.3 in last three years.
Pitcher #3: Career ERA around 4. 5.14 last season.
Pitcher #4: 4.0/4.5 Lock down closer prior to being acquired. +6 ERA last season and a half.

Defense is poor, which has some effect, but I feel like it shouldn't have near this much. Funny this is that my "best" fielders are doing the worst. Peripheral numbers don't look out of whack. We are just giving up a ton more hits. Pitching coach is GOOD. Scout is GOOD and LEGENDARY.

Can anybody help me out? Maybe from past experiences or something that I'm simply vastly overlooking? Am I suffering from a horrible string of bad luck? Is the fielding really causing this much of an issue? I have a young stud pitcher coming off a mediocre year and I don't want him going down the same road as all these guys.

Any feedback is appreciated.

injury log · 11-21-2013, 12:21 AM

I'd bet it's your defense. Try to get a great fielding CF, even if it means sacrificing some offense, and see if that helps any. I'm pretty sure outfield defense is more important than infield defense in the game, so I'd start there.

slugga27 · 11-21-2013, 01:02 AM

Can you post the FIPs of the pitchers? That's a better indicator of ability than ERA.

le receveur · 11-21-2013, 01:10 AM

i had the same problem until i concentrated on having players rated 8+ out of 10 at D at C,2B,SS,CF,,,, since then my pitching has been great

also what is the defense rating of your Bench Coach, and less impact manager?... cheap way to greatly improve

Berger · 11-21-2013, 02:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by slugga27

Can you post the FIPs of the pitchers? That's a better indicator of ability than ERA.

I keep forgetting that they have all the advanced stats in. I wish FIP, per 9 innings rates and the like showed up by default right away.

All the players have sub 4 FIP's except for 1. It's become blatantly obvious that my neglect of defense is the cause here. Just made a major trade to acquire a defensive minded center fielder and signed a good fielding 2nd basemen on the cheap. 1st in the division 1/3 of the way into the season. Fielding is middle of the pack in the league.

Thanks guys.

Fyrestorm3 · 11-21-2013, 02:27 AM

Defense? No, your problem is you're playing as the Astros.

le receveur · 11-21-2013, 03:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berger

I keep forgetting that they have all the advanced stats in. I wish FIP, per 9 innings rates and the like showed up by default right away.

All the players have sub 4 FIP's except for 1. It's become blatantly obvious that my neglect of defense is the cause here. Just made a major trade to acquire a defensive minded center fielder and signed a good fielding 2nd basemen on the cheap. 1st in the division 1/3 of the way into the season. Fielding is middle of the pack in the league.

Thanks guys.

make sure to also get a legendary D bench coach next time you negotiate

Tram2Whitaker · 11-21-2013, 07:14 PM

If you are simming the games, I'd check the staff and their strategies: (There are good coaches with strategies that are not conducive to the talent at hand); I've found that "handling players" is the key stat.

As stated earlier, defense is an issue. The important positions are up the middle (c, 2b, ss, and cf), the rest can be sacrificed for sake of offense. The DH's only job is to hit, so he should hit well enough to make up for the "defensive specialists"

I haven't found a method for finding top notch pitchers, other than luck. I've had amazing prospects that never make the transition between minor and major leagues, rule 5 picks that go 16-7, and HOF pitchers at the end of their careers. Just fiddle around, until you find the right mix, and go with that, but not for too long, because it'll likely fall apart. (as you can tell, I go through a lot of pitchers; usually between 20-25 of my 40 man roster is pitchers)

Berger · 11-21-2013, 08:44 PM

yeah, I find my best/ideal teams are ones that involve a top notch lineup with average pitching. The pitching is just simply too inconsistent. Most of the guys that I end up with are guys I either sign as a middle of the road guy or make a deal for.

And I'll definitely upgrade my bench coach next time around.

'94 EXPOS · 11-27-2013, 04:13 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Berger

yeah, I find my best/ideal teams are ones that involve a top notch lineup with average pitching. The pitching is just simply too inconsistent. Most of the guys that I end up with are guys I either sign as a middle of the road guy or make a deal for.

And I'll definitely upgrade my bench coach next time around.

I have found the exact opposite. I never have a long run of success until my rotation is loaded with top notch starters that have developed in my system. I amass groundball starters and surround them with high end D at every position.

On a side note, and with absolutely no evidence (other then my perceived experience) to support my claim, I have found that where a pitcher is slotted in the rotation can influence his performance.

The Wolf · 11-27-2013, 05:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by '94 EXPOS

I amass groundball starters and surround them with high end D at every position.

That's one of the easiest ways to build a solid OOTP dynasty.

Honorable_Pawn · 11-28-2013, 08:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Wolf

That's one of the easiest ways to build a solid OOTP dynasty.

Yep.

It is so tempting to sacrifice defense at 1B for a big bat though. But usually I'll go with a great defender at 1st that gets on base. I can live without the power.

The Wolf · 11-28-2013, 10:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Honorable_Pawn

Yep.

It is so tempting to sacrifice defense at 1B for a big bat though. But usually I'll go with a great defender at 1st that gets on base. I can live without the power.

Better to have high D at every position.

11-21-2013, 07:14 PM	#8
Tram2Whitaker All Star Reserve Join Date: Apr 2002 Posts: 619	If you are simming the games, I'd check the staff and their strategies: (There are good coaches with strategies that are not conducive to the talent at hand); I've found that "handling players" is the key stat. As stated earlier, defense is an issue. The important positions are up the middle (c, 2b, ss, and cf), the rest can be sacrificed for sake of offense. The DH's only job is to hit, so he should hit well enough to make up for the "defensive specialists" I haven't found a method for finding top notch pitchers, other than luck. I've had amazing prospects that never make the transition between minor and major leagues, rule 5 picks that go 16-7, and HOF pitchers at the end of their careers. Just fiddle around, until you find the right mix, and go with that, but not for too long, because it'll likely fall apart. (as you can tell, I go through a lot of pitchers; usually between 20-25 of my 40 man roster is pitchers) __________________ 404'd!

11-21-2013, 12:10 AM	#1
Berger Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 3	Need Advice, I Must Have No Clue This game is the most horrible, frustrating daunting game. And I'm in love with it. Apparently, it doesn't love me back. In a single player game, I've taken over as the Astros for obvious reasons. I've done a nice job (I think) of building up the talent on the roster and have a lot of talented young guys. I should've been winning a few seasons ago, but here I am, finishing up the 2019 season, yet to make the playoffs. Here's the main reason why. Pitching. Hitting isn't a problem, I've finished in the top 5 in each of the past three seasons, but to cap off my most recent season, my starter's ERA is at 16th and the bullpen is at 14th. I've tried over multiple years to bring in competent pitchers, guys that either have the stats most importantly, but have the talent as well. For Example: Pitcher #1: 4.5/4.5 - 30 yrs has posted a 5.06, 4.36 and 4.86 ERA in past three years, WHIP around 1.45 Pitcher #2: 3.5/3.5 - Had a 3.5 career ERA prior to signing with us. Has put up 4.3 in last three years. Pitcher #3: Career ERA around 4. 5.14 last season. Pitcher #4: 4.0/4.5 Lock down closer prior to being acquired. +6 ERA last season and a half. Defense is poor, which has some effect, but I feel like it shouldn't have near this much. Funny this is that my "best" fielders are doing the worst. Peripheral numbers don't look out of whack. We are just giving up a ton more hits. Pitching coach is GOOD. Scout is GOOD and LEGENDARY. Can anybody help me out? Maybe from past experiences or something that I'm simply vastly overlooking? Am I suffering from a horrible string of bad luck? Is the fielding really causing this much of an issue? I have a young stud pitcher coming off a mediocre year and I don't want him going down the same road as all these guys. Any feedback is appreciated.

11-21-2013, 12:21 AM	#2
injury log Hall Of Famer Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Toronto Posts: 9,162	I'd bet it's your defense. Try to get a great fielding CF, even if it means sacrificing some offense, and see if that helps any. I'm pretty sure outfield defense is more important than infield defense in the game, so I'd start there.

11-21-2013, 01:02 AM	#3
slugga27 All Star Starter Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1,250	Can you post the FIPs of the pitchers? That's a better indicator of ability than ERA.

11-21-2013, 01:10 AM	#4
le receveur All Star Starter Join Date: Oct 2013 Location: canada Posts: 1,736	i had the same problem until i concentrated on having players rated 8+ out of 10 at D at C,2B,SS,CF,,,, since then my pitching has been great also what is the defense rating of your Bench Coach, and less impact manager?... cheap way to greatly improve

11-21-2013, 02:27 AM	#6
Fyrestorm3 Hall Of Famer Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tampa Bay, Massachusetts Posts: 2,928	Defense? No, your problem is you're playing as the Astros.

11-21-2013, 08:44 PM	#9
Berger Bat Boy Join Date: Nov 2013 Posts: 3	yeah, I find my best/ideal teams are ones that involve a top notch lineup with average pitching. The pitching is just simply too inconsistent. Most of the guys that I end up with are guys I either sign as a middle of the road guy or make a deal for. And I'll definitely upgrade my bench coach next time around.