W25 L4 Dumb luck, amazing skill or faulty AI?

[Panchobamba]

I'm new to ootp. I play Phillies, pbp, single pitch, wouldn't consider simulation. Love the game but am getting worried about it's realism. Every play that's happened is totally possible, but I'm on track to win about 140 games!
Started W17L1, then was glad to drop three out of five, but I'm on another streak now. I don't try not to win, but I'm finding myself hoping I strike out or the other team will rally. It's turning weird.
Maybe I'll start over with a front office that has no budget and draft rookies and has beens. I'm wondering if I could win the pennant with the '62 or '63 Mets. Where's Marvelous Marv Throneberry when you need him?
One thing worth mentioning. Three of the games I lost, the other team won them on grand slams. I'm starting to wonder about the aggressiveness of the AI's base running.

[Husky51]

Let us know what your manager score is when you win 140!

[sfnate]

Originally Posted by Panchobamba

...I'm on track to win about 140 games!

And I'm on track to lose 140 games.

I'm no slouch when it comes to baseball strategy/tactics, but I'm finding that the AI, when played more or less on its own terms, is a capable opponent.

But then I always try to immerse myself in the reality of the game, ie, I don't exploit my "god"-like superiority over the AI by gaming it with asymmetrical trades (ie, I get a lot for practically nothing) or figuring out that it has a particular tactical weakness (eg, over-use of the "Run and hit" tactic against a weak defensive catcher).

I also follow the tendencies of the baseball era I'm simulating--for example, I carry the same number of starters/relievers as the other AIs, use starters/relievers in a way that's consistent with the time, play small ball when appropriate or maybe rely on heavy hitters for run production (along the lines of what teams did in the boring baseball 50s, for example).

I don't view this as handicapping my own intelligence, even though it is in a way, but see it as more of getting into the game on its own terms and playing in a way that isn't analogous to doping up on mental steroids.

Starting off with a really strong real-life team it's possibly too easy to get to the World Series, especially if you exploit the weaknesses of the AI.

I prefer to play in a fictional-historical universe (real teams, fictional players) and explore that world on a more or less even footing with the other AIs.

[Panchobamba]

Thanks sfnate.
Good to hear about the losses. It helps alleviate my doubts as I really like this game.
As I haven't figured out much about the AI, I'll chalk my record up to dumb luck and some strategic maneuvering.
I'll continue this season and start a fictional one soon enough.
Real world Phillies just lost a game where Lee pitched 10 innings shutout!

[Madmatt]

Started off 42-0 before losing two straight.

[Madmatt]

Finished 131-31, for a 1316 score.