How deep do you think about opponents?

jmknpk2 · 11-20-2017, 09:13 AM

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams, other than left and right handed considerations. I usually just put my best players forward and hope for the best.

Sometimes I consider changing my pitching rotation around. For example, in a very important series, if the opposing team's ace is much better than mine in a head to head match up, I'll delay my ace's start, conceding the first game of the series and hoping to secure the second game.

When my team is routing another team, I don't let up with my offense, rather pouring it on, hoping to tire and weaken the opponent's bullpen. This usually makes sense. Because if a divisional opponent has more chance to lose the next series with a tried bullpen, against a different team, it helps my cause.

But now I've realize that if a team I am routing is opposing one of my closest divisional opponents, I should probably let up to help their bullpen be ready for the following series against my rival. So I should be paying attention to who my opponent faces in their next series.

This reminds me of playing chess, where thinking out all possibilities several moves ahead is helpful.

thirdsaint · 11-20-2017, 10:38 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jmknpk2

I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams, other than left and right handed considerations. I usually just put my best players forward and hope for the best.

Sometimes I consider changing my pitching rotation around. For example, in a very important series, if the opposing team's ace is much better than mine in a head to head match up, I'll delay my ace's start, conceding the first game of the series and hoping to secure the second game.

When my team is routing another team, I don't let up with my offense, rather pouring it on, hoping to tire and weaken the opponent's bullpen. This usually makes sense. Because if a divisional opponent has more chance to lose the next series with a tried bullpen, against a different team, it helps my cause.

But now I've realize that if a team I am routing is opposing one of my closest divisional opponents, I should probably let up to help their bullpen be ready for the following series against my rival. So I should be paying attention to who my opponent faces in their next series.

This reminds me of playing chess, where thinking out all possibilities several moves ahead is helpful.

I don't put too much thought into it outside of Left/Right matchups and maybe high strikeout pitcher vs. high strikeout batters (move them down in lineup).

My hope is that OOTP will eventually incorporate a 'Statcast' style system where there's data on batters who struggle with certain pitch types. So, if you are going up against a very good curveball pitcher and some of your hitters really struggle against curveballs, you would have a decision to make to make to move them down or swap them out for a utility player who hits them better. Would just be another added wrinkle of realism to an already fantastic game.

mitchkenn · 11-20-2017, 10:52 AM

same here. i look at their record and best players from my scouting report, but really just put my best team available at the time regardless of the other team and their record.

jmknpk2 · 11-20-2017, 11:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thirdsaint

high strikeout pitcher vs. high strikeout batters (move them down in lineup).

Never thought of that. Something I might look at in the future. Thanks!

NoOne · 11-20-2017, 02:46 PM

in the playoffs i'll take a closer look, but not in the reg season. 1 game is also extremely important to the next ~3 and relatively importnat to the next 10-20 in the regular season. average 1 day off per lil over 9 days on, if i recall, during reg season.

i may have a lefty specialist, but i won't change rotation except to get my best SP the most starts. my top 2-3 sometimes 4 start if rested - always.

everything is a break-even analysis. it's never a rigid rule. a lefty vs lefty can be better than the alternative, and when it is, you stick with it. simple as that.

you roll with the best odds, otherwise you should stay away from Vegas.

when i perceive it to be anywhere near 50/50, due to factors like handedness, i stick with my 'normal' guy in that spot of lineup, rotation, the pen, or use in "that" situation.

i am built top-heavy for the playoffs. because of how i build, i don't run into many of these decisions. maybe a slight shift in lineup, but no one is coming from teh bench or AAA without an injury 99% of the time.

Mr. Marlin · 11-20-2017, 03:03 PM

Seconding what NoOne said. During the playoffs I do quite a bit more scouting and analysis. During regular season games I focus on splits but that's about it.

ThePretender · 11-20-2017, 04:38 PM

Anytime I play someone who is a playoff rival I'll look ahead. Plan out the rotation so my best arms are facing them. Other than that no major changes.

thirdsaint · 11-21-2017, 04:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ThePretender

Anytime I play someone who is a playoff rival I'll look ahead. Plan out the rotation so my best arms are facing them. Other than that no major changes.

Yeah, in the playoffs I will take into account home/road splits if they are that drastic for starting pitchers. Sometimes I've had a start that's a full 1.5 runs better on the road and maybe bump them to a road start.

The Game · 11-21-2017, 11:25 PM

In my EBL vs MLB league the AL East division, in which i play in is very LHB friendly. While i do play in the LHB friendly park (Baker Bowl) i will start the occasional RP who is a LHP,evem if i get just 3-4 IP just to neutralize their lineups, especially vs Gotham City. They play n a version of Yankee stadium II and some of their main LHB are Bruce Wayne (.334 35 HR 110 RBI avg), John Wayne Jr (.284 28 HR 97 RBI avg) Ramon Aguilar (.291 42 HR 121 RBI avg), Chase Meridian ( .312 4 HR 54 RBI). Then they have a good switch hitter in SS Wil Viruet who is basically Derek Jeter. Although i have been simming the last 2 seasons, the last season i played i went 13-6 vs Gotham City playing as many LHP on my team vs their lineup.
My team is LHB friendly as well. All 3 of my OF, 1B, 2B, DH.

11-20-2017, 09:13 AM	#1
jmknpk2 All Star Reserve Join Date: Mar 2007 Posts: 982	How deep do you think about opponents? I don't pay a whole lot of attention to the strengths and weaknesses of opposing teams, other than left and right handed considerations. I usually just put my best players forward and hope for the best. Sometimes I consider changing my pitching rotation around. For example, in a very important series, if the opposing team's ace is much better than mine in a head to head match up, I'll delay my ace's start, conceding the first game of the series and hoping to secure the second game. When my team is routing another team, I don't let up with my offense, rather pouring it on, hoping to tire and weaken the opponent's bullpen. This usually makes sense. Because if a divisional opponent has more chance to lose the next series with a tried bullpen, against a different team, it helps my cause. But now I've realize that if a team I am routing is opposing one of my closest divisional opponents, I should probably let up to help their bullpen be ready for the following series against my rival. So I should be paying attention to who my opponent faces in their next series. This reminds me of playing chess, where thinking out all possibilities several moves ahead is helpful. Last edited by jmknpk2; 11-20-2017 at 09:15 AM.

11-20-2017, 10:52 AM	#3
mitchkenn Hall Of Famer Join Date: Jan 2015 Location: Oregon, not by design Posts: 2,872	same here. i look at their record and best players from my scouting report, but really just put my best team available at the time regardless of the other team and their record. __________________ "This is my opening farewell " - Jackson Browne “They make a desolation and call it peace.” ― Agha Shahid Ali "Maybe she just has to sing, for the sake of the song - And who do I think that I am to decide that she's wrong." - Townes Van Zandt "I saw a young man leaning on his wooden crutch - He called out to me, 'Don't ask for so much' And a young woman leaning in her darkened door She cried out to me, 'Why not ask for more?' " - Leonard Cohen "Hello darkness, my old Friend ...." - Paul Simon Before Mays, before DiMaggio, there was Oscar Charleston. "All the lies about Babe Ruth are true." - Waite Hoyt Avatar is the late great Townes Van Zandt. rip.

11-21-2017, 11:25 PM	#9
The Game Hall Of Famer Join Date: Feb 2012 Location: Inside The Game Posts: 30,937	In my EBL vs MLB league the AL East division, in which i play in is very LHB friendly. While i do play in the LHB friendly park (Baker Bowl) i will start the occasional RP who is a LHP,evem if i get just 3-4 IP just to neutralize their lineups, especially vs Gotham City. They play n a version of Yankee stadium II and some of their main LHB are Bruce Wayne (.334 35 HR 110 RBI avg), John Wayne Jr (.284 28 HR 97 RBI avg) Ramon Aguilar (.291 42 HR 121 RBI avg), Chase Meridian ( .312 4 HR 54 RBI). Then they have a good switch hitter in SS Wil Viruet who is basically Derek Jeter. Although i have been simming the last 2 seasons, the last season i played i went 13-6 vs Gotham City playing as many LHP on my team vs their lineup. My team is LHB friendly as well. All 3 of my OF, 1B, 2B, DH. __________________ Go today don't wait for tomorrow It isn't promised, all the time you get borrowed Don't live your life for other people Don't bottle your emotions till they crack and fill a couple just sorrows Take your mind and refocus go get a paper write your goals out Throw your middle fingers to all your haters "Stay Strong"

11-20-2017, 02:46 PM	#5
NoOne Banned Join Date: Apr 2015 Posts: 7,273 Infractions: 0/1 (3)	in the playoffs i'll take a closer look, but not in the reg season. 1 game is also extremely important to the next ~3 and relatively importnat to the next 10-20 in the regular season. average 1 day off per lil over 9 days on, if i recall, during reg season. i may have a lefty specialist, but i won't change rotation except to get my best SP the most starts. my top 2-3 sometimes 4 start if rested - always. everything is a break-even analysis. it's never a rigid rule. a lefty vs lefty can be better than the alternative, and when it is, you stick with it. simple as that. you roll with the best odds, otherwise you should stay away from Vegas. when i perceive it to be anywhere near 50/50, due to factors like handedness, i stick with my 'normal' guy in that spot of lineup, rotation, the pen, or use in "that" situation. i am built top-heavy for the playoffs. because of how i build, i don't run into many of these decisions. maybe a slight shift in lineup, but no one is coming from teh bench or AAA without an injury 99% of the time.

11-20-2017, 03:03 PM	#6
Mr. Marlin All Star Starter Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 1,278	Seconding what NoOne said. During the playoffs I do quite a bit more scouting and analysis. During regular season games I focus on splits but that's about it.

11-20-2017, 04:38 PM	#7
ThePretender All Star Starter Join Date: Mar 2008 Posts: 1,331	Anytime I play someone who is a playoff rival I'll look ahead. Plan out the rotation so my best arms are facing them. Other than that no major changes.