<![CDATA[CPU pitchers throwing balls]]>I have a theory - it's probably not new. I think CPU pitchers have a secret stat where they have "fear" of really good hitters. They are programmed to throw a lot of balls against these hitters until it gets to a 3-ball count. Then, they throw a few more strikes.

Its the same on rookie or legend - Ive had recent games (on legend) where every batter is getting a 3-0 or 3-1 count. I think the engine runs almost the same no matter what the difficulty is set at.

This doesnt seem to hold when the pitchers are facing lesser hitters - but of course, at this point, theyre all juiced 99s.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/topic/85212/cpu-pitchers-throwing-ballsRSS for NodeThu, 05 Nov 2026 20:36:29 GMTTue, 03 Nov 2026 14:31:22 GMT60<![CDATA[Reply to CPU pitchers throwing balls on Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:17:54 GMT]]>Nope, it's just bad all around. I have used common and bronze cards doing the 2B mini seasons grind and they get pitched to just as bad. My theory is that it is to try and slow us down with making progress to stat grinds, etc. The games vs cpu this year take far longer than in years past.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/783740https://forums.theshow.com/post/783740Tue, 03 Nov 2026 16:17:54 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to CPU pitchers throwing balls on Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:43:58 GMT]]>

@DrBear100_PSN said:

I have Chipper batting second and he gets pitched horribly. It's always 3 balls right away then 2 strikes painted on corners. I foul off 3-4 pitches and then either a walk or a fringe dotted strike.

To be honest this feels like 50% of my at bats. Its the main reason why I will end the year with 1/2 the hours played of 2025, which was already down from past years due

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/783737https://forums.theshow.com/post/783737Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:43:58 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to CPU pitchers throwing balls on Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:40:13 GMT]]>I was curious and looking at my players with 100 ABs offline, although a fairly limited sample, HR and BB seem to be very closely correlated. My highest 3 HR guys have the highest 3 BB totals and the only guy with 0 BBs is Ruben Tejada

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/783736https://forums.theshow.com/post/783736Tue, 03 Nov 2026 15:40:13 GMT<![CDATA[Reply to CPU pitchers throwing balls on Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:56:52 GMT]]>

@rubicante23_PSN said:

I have a theory - it's probably not new. I think CPU pitchers have a secret stat where they have "fear" of really good hitters. They are programmed to throw a lot of balls against these hitters until it gets to a 3-ball count. Then, they throw a few more strikes.

Its the same on rookie or legend - Ive had recent games (on legend) where every batter is getting a 3-0 or 3-1 count. I think the engine runs almost the same no matter what the difficulty is set at.

This doesnt seem to hold when the pitchers are facing lesser hitters - but of course, at this point, theyre all juiced 99s.

I have often wondered that myself. I have started putting Zobrist in leadoff because anywhere else I put him in the lineup he gets pitched around. I've been getting more pitches to hit with him hitting leadoff, I have a P5 full speed mod on him.

I have Chipper batting second and he gets pitched horribly. It's always 3 balls right away then 2 strikes painted on corners. I foul off 3-4 pitches and then either a walk or a fringe dotted strike. The only time I get anything to hit with him is when I have someone on first and I don’t steal second and then I get a few more pitches over the plate.

I have not been stealing as much. If you have first base occupied the cpu comes into the zone more often. Bases empty runner on second or third they'll nibble more or just blatantly throw balls everywhere but over the plate including beaning you.

It seems with the bases loaded the cpu will chance walking in a run before giving up a hit.

]]>https://forums.theshow.com/post/783730https://forums.theshow.com/post/783730Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:56:52 GMT