Avoiding the Big Inning

[Vermin360]

I love my OOTP but sometimes I swear the game is out to get me. More often than not, I fall prey to the big inning. Hit after hit, wild pitches, errors and walks help the opposition put up a crooked number that often determines the game.

It's starting to get a little frustrating spotting the other team a big lead, only to claw my way back to a late-inning lead and watch it evaporate when I serve up a 5-run ninth courtesy of my high-priced closer.

Any strategies or suggestions for how to avoid the big inning? I manage the game in 3D view most often letting the game engine sim the at-bat with SPACE, and intervening to call for a sac bunt or steal where the situation calls for it.

[Big T]

The game is just out to get you...


Kidding of course, I play very similar to you, 3D and one pitch at bats. I have a fictional league with 24 teams, 100 game season and I play out every game. After a 40-60 start the first season I was able to plug some holes that allowed us to go to 57-43 season. By being immersed in playing out every game, it is really easy to determine what holes you need to fill. I noticed during season 1 I needed a more reliable #4 and #5 starter, I had one in my system that rocked the AAA batters and I signed a free agent. I also needed a more reliable SS defensively, made a trade. Season 3 I went to 63-37.


I am in season 4 and after 30 games we are 17-13 but I was 10 out 12 in runs scored at about the 15 game mark. I moved a prized prospect to get a power hitting 3B and have seen the offense jump to 8th. Changed my set up man and my closer around after my closer blew back to back saves, one was a 3 run lead. So it happens.


I guess what I am saying after all that..... its part of the game, its a continual review of improving weaknesses.

[Rizon]

Originally Posted by Vermin360

I love my OOTP but sometimes I swear the game is out to get me. More often than not, I fall prey to the big inning. Hit after hit, wild pitches, errors and walks help the opposition put up a crooked number that often determines the game.

It's starting to get a little frustrating spotting the other team a big lead, only to claw my way back to a late-inning lead and watch it evaporate when I serve up a 5-run ninth courtesy of my high-priced closer.

Any strategies or suggestions for how to avoid the big inning? I manage the game in 3D view most often letting the game engine sim the at-bat with SPACE, and intervening to call for a sac bunt or steal where the situation calls for it.

The 6th use to be my devil, though I believe in real-life it is the 2nd highest inning in regards to runs scored. This lead to early bullpen use, which lead to bullpen overuse, which lead to anger, which eventually lead to suffering.

I worked on getting starters with a bit more stamina, and then worked on a bullpen rotation so I didn't wear down the pen.

Also, watch for diminishing returns on single inning pitch count, which I believe is somewhere around 30-35 (someone correct me if I'm wrong).

[TuckerDuckson]

A strategy I use is to get a 2 pitch pitcher with a very low current 3rd pitch (Like a cha nge up or curveball that never developed) also with like 80 something stamina and let him eat 5 innings if my starter starts to get shelled, with an 80 stamina these types of relievers can go up to 60 pithces before getting tired and upto 75 before becoming BP machines, which allow 5-6 innings of high quality innings since they can survive 2 trips through the lineup with good success.

Basically get yourself a high quality long reliever

[swampdragon]

When your pitcher is suddenly ineffective, do something. Change pitchers, bring in a defensive replacement, pitch around. Anything will do. I think the dice roller gets streaky, and that you have a chance to stop the streak by taking almost any action. The worst thing you can do is to just keep hitting that spacebar. That never seems to work.