Increase in pickoffs?
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from 24' to 25', it seems like cpu pitchers have been trying to pickoff so much more on secondary leads. I've even gotten pickoff moves on 3rd, which never happened in 24'
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@lxgStreak_XBL I am experiencing a lot of the same. One of my issues is the game resetting the game settings each boot up. When this happens and the game puts on Auto - Baserunning on by itself and I am not aware I will lead and try and steal and not notice I am taking a 2nd lead and get picked every time.
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I would say the quality of pitcher pickoff attempts has improved, and they use the slide step more frequently now. Honestly, I like what SDS has done on this. For better or worse, it does better reflect the state of current baseball. Training has focused a lot on restricting the steals game. Holding the ball, slide steps, and working with pitchers for more effective pick off moves is part of these defense.
It's the same work done with catchers to improve pop up speed.
This goes hand-in-hand with the clear improvement in athletic skills in modern players.
I admit, one of the games within the games that I love about RTTS is the cat and mouse competition between my avatar player on base and the pitcher/catcher trying to keep me from stealing a base. I jacked up my avatar's speed and stealing attributes to 99 and was able to break Rickey Henderson's single season record of 130, but it took a lot of effort.
Still, if you focus on the pitcher's habits and go when he doesn't slide step, then you can steal even third with a high chance of success. But, if the pitcher throws a slide step that the batter doesn't hit or foul off, then you're likely dead meat unless the catcher's throw is off target.
Now, I have never been picked off at third, but that's due to not getting any secondary leads because I've found you simply cannot steal home.
