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RaychelSnr · 04-13-2015, 12:20 PM

Nothing gets the virtual nerves going like a good one-on-one battle. For most gamers, this conjures up images of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, and fighting three rounds to the death. But for me, few things in the gaming world excite me like battling through a tough out during an at-bat.

Perhaps I'm in the minority, but with MLB 15 The Show, I get far more joy when throwing strike three than I do belting a home run. Baseball is often referred to as chess-on-grass. Taking that one step further, each at-bat can feel like its own chess match. You have to think five pitches ahead. Taking it one pitch at a time might earn you an earlier-than-expected trip to the dugout.

Read More - MLB 15 The Show: Working the Count as a Pitcher

RD_Rabin · 04-13-2015, 12:32 PM

I switched to Pure Analog pitching this year and have been really enjoying the pitcher battles. Now I know that, with the exception of the occasional 'lucky' hit, I am responsible for where the batter can put that ball.

I now assess the catcher's suggestions critically, look at the pitch history and think over the 'scouting report' for that player's ability and hotzones. I also take into account the situation (How many on base, how many outs, the current scoreline) to decide what he may try to do, and how I can stop him.

It's a whole new ballgame.

DBMcGee3 · 04-13-2015, 04:11 PM

The 12-6 and changeup are two of my favorite pitches, because their speeds are so similar that it's easy to disguise one as the other. Throw a few curveballs that start above the zone and drop down for strikes, then eventually mix in some really high change ups out of the zone and it's hard for hitters to lay off. The same strategy works if you set up the curve by throwing several low change ups in the zone, then throw the curve that drops out of the zone with 2 strikes.

Speedy · 04-13-2015, 09:46 PM

With due respect to the author, I don't believe this title is correct to the content. It's about pitching as a pitcher, not hitting as a pitcher.

If I talk about working the count, I'm referring to moderating the AB for my favor as a hitter...if I talk about working the strike zone, I'm referring to the pitch selection as a pitcher.

Mrmagoo · 04-14-2015, 04:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RD_Rabin


	I switched to Pure Analog pitching this year and have been really enjoying the pitcher battles. Now I know that, with the exception of the occasional 'lucky' hit, I am responsible for where the batter can put that ball. I now assess the catcher's suggestions critically, look at the pitch history and think over the 'scouting report' for that player's ability and hotzones. I also take into account the situation (How many on base, how many outs, the current scoreline) to decide what he may try to do, and how I can stop him. It's a whole new ballgame.

I don't have the game... What's this "scouting report" you speak of?

Steven78 · 04-14-2015, 05:31 AM

Yeah I don't believe I've ever heard of a pitcher working the count.

woody2goody · 04-14-2015, 08:10 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DBMcGee3


	The 12-6 and changeup are two of my favorite pitches, because their speeds are so similar that it's easy to disguise one as the other. Throw a few curveballs that start above the zone and drop down for strikes, then eventually mix in some really high change ups out of the zone and it's hard for hitters to lay off. The same strategy works if you set up the curve by throwing several low change ups in the zone, then throw the curve that drops out of the zone with 2 strikes.

Even a couple of high fastballs in the zone followed by a curve or change is a good strategy. It can be dangerous though against a really good hitter, especially if your fastball has a tendency to drop down to the middle of the zone.

Also another good method for me is to throw a first pitch breaking ball in the zone, second pitch the same and then a 2 seamer high and tight.

FalconCrest · 04-14-2015, 05:40 PM

The Show has always placed a high premium on pitch sequencing. I tend to get into trouble when I fall into a pattern of alternating pitches hard in and soft away or pumping in fastballs on the first pitch of every at-bat to try to get ahead in the count. I find that occasionally coming inside with a changeup or starting an at-bat with a breaking ball keeps the computer off balance.

As the great Warren Spahn said: "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing." That's really all there is to it.

04-13-2015, 12:20 PM	#1
RaychelSnr Executive Editor OVR: 57 Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Oklahoma City, OK Posts: 4,846 Blog Entries: 490	MLB 15 The Show: Working the Count as a Pitcher Nothing gets the virtual nerves going like a good one-on-one battle. For most gamers, this conjures up images of Street Fighter or Mortal Kombat, and fighting three rounds to the death. But for me, few things in the gaming world excite me like battling through a tough out during an at-bat. Perhaps I'm in the minority, but with MLB 15 The Show, I get far more joy when throwing strike three than I do belting a home run. Baseball is often referred to as chess-on-grass. Taking that one step further, each at-bat can feel like its own chess match. You have to think five pitches ahead. Taking it one pitch at a time might earn you an earlier-than-expected trip to the dugout. Read More - MLB 15 The Show: Working the Count as a Pitcher Platform: PS Vita / PS3 / PS4 woody2goody and RD_Rabin like this.

04-13-2015, 12:32 PM	#2
RD_Rabin Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Apr 2014 Location: Lancs., England, UK	Re: MLB 15 The Show: Working the Count as a Pitcher I switched to Pure Analog pitching this year and have been really enjoying the pitcher battles. Now I know that, with the exception of the occasional 'lucky' hit, I am responsible for where the batter can put that ball. I now assess the catcher's suggestions critically, look at the pitch history and think over the 'scouting report' for that player's ability and hotzones. I also take into account the situation (How many on base, how many outs, the current scoreline) to decide what he may try to do, and how I can stop him. It's a whole new ballgame. Trackball likes this.

04-13-2015, 04:11 PM	#3
DBMcGee3 MVP OVR: 7 Join Date: Oct 2011	The 12-6 and changeup are two of my favorite pitches, because their speeds are so similar that it's easy to disguise one as the other. Throw a few curveballs that start above the zone and drop down for strikes, then eventually mix in some really high change ups out of the zone and it's hard for hitters to lay off. The same strategy works if you set up the curve by throwing several low change ups in the zone, then throw the curve that drops out of the zone with 2 strikes. woody2goody likes this.

04-13-2015, 09:46 PM	#4
Speedy #Ace OVR: 27 Join Date: Apr 2008 Posts: 16,173	Re: MLB 15 The Show: Working the Count as a Pitcher With due respect to the author, I don't believe this title is correct to the content. It's about pitching as a pitcher, not hitting as a pitcher. If I talk about working the count, I'm referring to moderating the AB for my favor as a hitter...if I talk about working the strike zone, I'm referring to the pitch selection as a pitcher.

04-14-2015, 05:31 AM	#6
Steven78 Banned OVR: 0 Join Date: Apr 2013	Re: MLB 15 The Show: Working the Count as a Pitcher Yeah I don't believe I've ever heard of a pitcher working the count.

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04-14-2015, 05:40 PM	#8
FalconCrest Rookie OVR: 0 Join Date: Aug 2011	The Show has always placed a high premium on pitch sequencing. I tend to get into trouble when I fall into a pattern of alternating pitches hard in and soft away or pumping in fastballs on the first pitch of every at-bat to try to get ahead in the count. I find that occasionally coming inside with a changeup or starting an at-bat with a breaking ball keeps the computer off balance. As the great Warren Spahn said: "Hitting is timing. Pitching is upsetting timing." That's really all there is to it.