CPU too clutch

[keith0156]

I ve played some games with 07 Mod. It seems like whenever the score is close late in the game, CPU always come up with the big game tying or go ahead homerun.

It is not like I missed the spot, there are several times I made a prefect pitch and they still are able to hit it out. I can live with it when it happens here and there, but it is almost like every time when I had less than 2 run lead, the CPU will tie it up.

Is there anything I can do like playing around the datefile or something, or I just suck and need to work on my pitch calling.

[Homer]

brush em off the plate.

[skatecirca212]

well ive run into that problem a couple times because Rivera wasn't on his game lol. My only "obvious" reason to think that ur blowing the game is because of bad pitch location

haha good luck man

_Dave

[rixmithco]

I lowered the CPU power until I got it to a level where the CPU was getting a more reasonable amount of homeruns. If you are really frustrated, take it down to -50, and if you start winning too many of your games then crank it up until you've found the right fun factor.

[keith0156]

I lowered the CPU power until I got it to a level where the CPU was getting a more reasonable amount of homeruns. If you are really frustrated, take it down to -50, and if you start winning too many of your games then crank it up until you've found the right fun factor.

I did already since I allow about 3-4 HR per game before. The problem isnt that I am allowing Homeruns tho, it is that there seems to be some spot where I just know I am about to give up one no matter where I throw them and about 80% of the time I was right.

[keith0156]

OK, I just played another game vs Phillies using the Mets.

John Maine did not have his best stuff today and is missing his spots and got punished couple times for it. However he was able to keep the Mets in the game. I was trailing the whole game until the 7th inning when I score 2 run to take a 1 run lead into the bottom of the 7th.

I put in Feliciano to face the lefties, he left a pitch in the middle to Jimmy Rollins and of course it was taken deep for a game tying homerun. After that, Phillies' offense just became unstoppable whether I make my pitch or not. I got so frustrated and eventually exit the game.

It was clear to me that Maine was missing more spots than Feliciano did, However, CPU offense just seems to turn up a notch during close late game situation. When they have the lead, you could leave a pitch right down the middle and they will pop it up, and when they need the run, they will hit the ball no matter where you throw it.

I can be certain that CPU is hitting in a different level during different situation in 1 game and my guess is there gotta be something behind it to determine that and would like to know if anybody has the answer to this.

[Darkslide820]

I like your screenname, skatecirca. Good to see another skater on the boards here.

:ontopic: I've had that happen too much also. The game always seems to have a rally in its binary blood, especially when it's a 1-0 perfect game or something like that.

[Kccitystar]

What you have to do is try and prevent them from gaining any form of momentum. Throw junk often.

What works for me often is trying NOT to hit the green spot on the meter when I try to throw breaking stuff away from the plate. By landing in the orange instead of the green, my pitch may break early or break late which is a good thing if I'm trying to nip the edge of the strike zone.

When you have a guy on base, throw a lot of pitches that break downward, or try and keep the ball low. Mix your pitches often because believe it or not, the CPU will adapt to your tendencies. Don't be afraid to brush the batter off the plate at times, because it leaves them open for you to pound the outer edge of the plate for strikes.

Trust your fastball when you need to rear back and throw a strike. Again, mix your pitches often and try not to fall into a pattern. I usually carry a pattern of breaking pitch, breaking pitch, heater then on the next guy my pattern might switch up completely to changeup, breaking pitch, changeup again. Get where I'm going with this?

I hope my small strategy works.

[keith0156]

I play another game and barely hang on to win. I used the Tigers vs the A's.

I had 2 run lead into the 7th, I left Verlander in there 1 batter too many and he gave up a solo shot which is my fault. However I brought in Rodney to face Ellis. In 2-2 count, I threw him a perfect inside and low fastball and he took it deep OPPOSITE field. I could live with it if he just turn on it, but Mark Ellis dont take a 95mph fast ball and send it 330 feet down the right field line.

Anyway, I score 3 in the 7th and retake the lead and I brought in Zumaya. He retired the first 2 batters and gave up 2 runs on 3 straight hit including one double off the wall on 0-2 pitch when I threw a fastball one ball above the strike zone(I m using keyboard, that is the highest i can go).

In the 9th, Todd Jones is on the mound, first batter walk, second batter is Eric Chavez. I tried to brush him back and hit him in the head. So I had runner on 1st and 2nd with no out. Mike Piazza hit a line drive to left field and Craig Monroe made a shoe string catch, then Swisher grounded to second for a DP to end the game.

Overall, I still think there are a few questionable spots where I think CPU will come through majority of the time, The one being Mark Ellis game tying homerun.

[abhall]

I consider myself to be a pretty good pitcher (wish I could say the same for hitting).

Some tips:

1) Use your pitch history. Most people I've talked to don't even use it. Not sure why? The computer does pick up on tendecies. It varies depending upon what level you are playing on, but it's beneficial IMO.

2) Stick with a pitcher's strong pitches. Most have at least 2 great pitches, some 3, a few have 4 or 5. 90% of the time I use his best pitches doing my best to mix them up. If a pitcher has an extremely weak pitch I may only use it a few times a game (if any). This is where simulation comes in to play - weak pitches have a much high probabilty of giving up hits.

3) Consistently keep the ball low and pain the corners. I rarely pitch the ball down the middle during a game unless I'm facing a pitcher or really need to throw a strike (3-0 count). My opponents Slugging % is extremely low because I rarely give up HR's/extra base hits due to keeping the ball down. An exception is when you have a very strong fastball pitcher who can blow it by hitters.

[Jason99vmi]

Yeah the CPU is crazy clutch in the 07 mod. Besides losing almost every game i played because the pitch meter is crazy hard and yes i know it takes practice but i've played it alot. Every time i have a lead in the 6th or 7th the CPU pulls some heroics. I had a two hit shutout with Pavano and all of a sudden they start crushing it in the gaps. I understand one or two shots in an inning since he was at about 70% but it was one batter after another even after i brought in a fresh reliever and could hit spots.

I played with the sliders to no avail. so must be the datafile in the new mod.

I know really good players need to make it harder but the average player likes to have a shot to win which usually comes in the hitting category.

Any fixes?

And yes Mark Ellis shouldn't be hitting shots like that. If Jason Kendall hits a homerun against you then you know something is wrong.

[Darkslide820]

the pitch meter is crazy hard

I feel this way about the 2007 mod, too. I the XBox version I make the pitch go wherever I want 'cause I can always hit the green, but in the 07 version (not even PC 2005 or TC7) I hit the green and it can still go wherever the hell it wants. It rarely ever feels accurate.

[rixmithco]

You might try throwing more pitches outside of the zone. If you only throw the strikes the CPU will learn your tendency and you will get hammered.

[lautrec]

The CPU WILL kill you late,,,,UNLESS, you know how to get past the problem.

First: TRUST your BEST pitches. Look at the little bars above each pitch, and use the ones with the best or longest bars besides them. Use your particular pitcher's best pitches, for say two or three pitches, keeping them on the lower outside of the plate. Then, if you can get them in a pitcher's count (1-2, 2-2, 0-2), change something up. But try to get ahead with your best pitches. If you fall way behind, don't just hang something over the middle. It's better to walk an Albert Pujols, than let him hit one 500 feet.

Second: Change your defense back to normal. The computer will set it at guarding the lines. Which means, they quit playing defense sometimes, and lots of cheesy hits get through the infield.

Third: If you let someone on first, don't let thhem steal. Throw over to first until they cut back their lead. They WILL steal on you, and they'll get it done with crappy runners in late innings, because there is a CPU Comeback Code. But, you can do something to limit it. Throw to first, make 'em shorten their leads.

Someone said it before, I'll say it again: TRUST YOUR FASTBALL (your 4-Seamer, not that goofy 2-seamer) TRUST YOUR FASTBALL -- change locations and change speeds, but use it!

good luck.

[compmaniac]

lautrec, does slowing down a fastball make it easier to hit?

[lautrec]

lautrec, does slowing down a fastball make it easier to hit?

Here's the deal: If you slow it down, you should only do it to change speeds. If you have a guy that consistently throws it around 94-95, throw it at that speed for 2 or 3 pitches, not in the same location. Mix in another off speed pitch, like a change or a curve, then try your 4-seamer at maybe a slightly lower speed, like 89-90, if you can do it. Just mix it up.

It's only easier to hit if you hang it out over the plate or all you are doing is throwing fastballs in the same location.

[Guildster]

I hate to criticize anything about the 07 Mod. It really is a great body of design work. Great work guys! But after playing hundreds of games over the past two years, there is a very noticable increase in the late inning rally strength and frequency of the CPU teams after installing the 07 Mod. An occasional rally (as before) after a clutch hit or catch is good and very realistic, but it seems to happen after the stretch in every game with the 07 Mod and even the worst hitting teams come on and kick you out of the park. It is a little frustrating. But again, the 07 Mod is an amazing piece of work, and if I have to start using pine tar in my pitcher's glove to play it, so be it.

[Snowdrake]

I let the hitters stance dictate how I pitch them. Lets say you have a crouched hitter throw a couple of fastballs up and in and then on the payoff pitch curve on the outside corner about a inch off the out. Just use their stance to get em out.

P.S. I agree with the fastball comment but I find that the 2 seam is best when at the payoff pitch either up and in or low and outside

[phoenixrises]

Laurtec is right...

I try to stay on the corners and move pitches in and out then finish with a high or low pitch.... change speeds and locations within reason.

[keith0156]

One thing I notice recently after I play a few more games is that is not the big slugger that usually kills you, in the last 3 games. I had Mark Ellis, Ron Belliard and Tony Womack come up with the clutch homerun to tie or win the game for CPU

[tbake007]

Personally i like the late rallies. It tells me guys are communicating in the dugout and coaches/basecoaches are watching your pitchers tendencies. It cranks up the intensity! keeps the game from boring and getting away from you! It forces you to manage your bullpin, make decisions, and develop a strategy to be at the top of your game for the game. Makes your closer have to seal the deal. I throw outside/inside alot. Very rarely will i ever throw one down the gut. i have had to adapt to the new pitching meter setting i use(freud's sliders) i throw more balls than i ever have since i started playing dating back to triple play 97, but thats okay im challenged.and have to adapt. Baseball is evolving and so are the players. The players today are more technologically sound than ever before in their development as an athlete from the standpoint of training. Players today have access to equipment and technologies that were not even dreamed of throughout the history of baseball. i know when i play, my starting pitcher is going to get about 55-60 pitches at the most. I normally bring in my Mid/Late reliever for about 30. Then my closer for a late inning. I love it. I have never been more pumped and excited about playing my MVP 2005 until now! Me and my son played tonight. We have played together since triple play 97. We were pumped and it was intense! I think we had the most fun we have ever had in a game. the late innings were great he came back tied it up! For you guys who feel different someone will fix it. thats what i love about this site. There is something for everyone here. Maybe not right now but someone here will find a way to make it more enjoyable for you. Until then be patient, check back once in a while! Thanks again guys for this Outstanding mod!

One more thing is i agree with snowdrake on this one.

"I let the hitters stance dictate how I pitch them."

[golfguy10]

Turn off cooperstown effect, variable stuff and team chemistry effect.

I'm playing on MVP level and almost every game the CPU has at least 1 breakout inning.