Not to pile on, but I will. The games watered down. I’ve said this before, there’s nothing special about any of it this year so far. Maybe it’ll change, but I doubt it. No one can achieve something without making sure everyone can get it. In years past, there were cards that meant something, it meant you were either 1) better than most, or b) spent more than most. Each option was fine and each option had its pros and cons, but at then end of the day, it was a special card. I remember in 17 (or maybe it was 18, they’ll all blur together) the only way you were getting Chipper was a long [censored] grind, and those that got him, felt a sense of some major accomplishment. Now, just play 15-20 mins a day and you can get it because SDS will make sure no ones special. Need more XP, here’s 50k for collecting a card that’s worthless and only takes 15 mins of moments. You can’t make WS? Here, go win/gimmick your way to 40 wins or wait 2-3 weeks and it’ll be dirt cheap so everyone can have it.

It’s the ultimate participation trophy collection game. I used to wait in massive anticipation for each new ranked season to see what special card I might want to work my [censored] off for, now, meh, I’ll wait two weeks, try it out and then face it in every game I play online. Events? Not worth the effort anymore, cards are barely exciting and it’s turns into whoever can cheese/gimmick/glitch their way to the top level the quickest, wins, sort of.

It’s all too watered down now. I can load up a RS game, close my eyes, and wait till 4 pitches in and pretty much guess my opponents lineup, starting pitcher, and pitch count with about 90% accuracy. Where’s the excitement? I don’t know, ask SDS, they’re caving just like their mentor Manfred. It’s a race to the bottoms at this point. I sure do hope and pray something changes soon.

Actually an even simpler way to fix it, reset servers 10-15 mins before new program drops. That’ll force any open game to close and lose all saved XP. They used to this back in 18-19

Posted this in one of your other multi-posts for the day:

Bro, you really need to find a new game. Every day you complain 2-3 times about how the CPU doesn’t throw you pitches. Last time you provided an image and got roasted over how many missed opportunities you had. Yes, moments can be trying, but it seems they just aren’t for you, find a different mode or different game, life is waaaay to short to spend so much time frustrated. Take your losses, move on, and enjoy whatever else gives you joy. Or, find a different outlet to vent, the people here are not going to comfort you and provide you with zero solace. Maybe a pet tortoise would be best?!?!? It’ll listen to all your complaints, might even agree, and won’t be able to run away.

@meridianswift_psn said in Setting Lineups before seeing opposing pitcher?:

No -- in real baseball they know. So, no, it's not realism. It's the opposite.

Correct, but real baseball teams don’t have access to hundreds of all time greats to load up on all lefty/righty power hitters.

They need to find a balance, but any option they come up with will be exploited. And then there will be ways to counter that, and then ways to counter that counter, and so on...

Current scenario isn’t ideal, but it works better than anything else at this point.

Can’t login due to “routine maintenance,” anyone else struggling?

Bro, you really need to find a new game. Every day you complain 2-3 times about how the CPU doesn’t throw you pitches. Last time you provided an image and got roasted over how many missed opportunities you had. Yes, moments can be trying, but it seems they just aren’t for you, find a different mode or different game, life is waaaay to short to spend so much time frustrated. Take your losses, move on, and enjoy whatever else gives you joy. Or, find a different outlet to vent, the people here are not going to comfort you and provide you with zero solace. Maybe a pet tortoise would be best?!?!? It’ll listen to all your complaints, might even agree, and won’t be able to run away.

@thekingfish15 said in Diamond players:

I can never get any diamond players in diamond dynasty. Its not fair. I keep seeing videos of players getting 10 diamonds when I get None! Zip! Zilch! Nada! Its not fair, they need to change the odds for diamond players to be more common and frequent.

Those videos are a joke, they aren’t showing you the thousands of packs they’ve opened with nothing in them. Yes, some people are more lucky than others, but no one ever really tells you how many packs they’ve opened to get the diamond.

First, I think you’re using the wrong word, slack means he’s essentially being given a break. I really think you mean flack.

Second, Manfred is horrible at his job. The sport is bleeding fans and revenue, his job is to grow both. His constant wishy washy, back and forth on gimmicky attempts to speed up the game is doing more harm than good. Also, he’s horrible about transparency. Everyone knew they messed with the baseballs, but he wouldn’t admit it until it was too obvious to deny. Same thing with “sticky stuff.”

Like him or not, Bauer called him out on it 2+ years ago and proved how beneficial the stuff is, he essentially told Manfred and the league he would win the Cy Young and he did. Again, Manfred waited too long to address the issue.

Lastly, the whole Astros fiasco was and still continues to be a sore spot with the league. He handled it horribly, both from a players standpoint, but more importantly, for the fans.

There’s just a few issues he’s managed poorly, this list could go on quite a while.

@hes-a-wall_psn said in Did they Nerf XP this inning?:

XP has returned to normal. We were getting double XP for a long while.

No we weren’t. Double XP ended quite a long time ago. During double XP, I would get 4-5k per AS Conquest. When that ended, it dropped to 2,500 to 3k. Now it’s down to 1500 to 2k. Yes, they extended it past the initial promoted weekend, but that only lasted for a week or two. Please trust me, I have spreadsheets tracking all my XP (I’m a numbers geek, I accept who I am).

Odds heavily favor you walking away disappointed. But then again, there’s a reason casinos do so well.

@x814xmafia_mlbts said in Johnny Damon Program:

@ericulous1_psn said in Johnny Damon Program:

@x814xmafia_mlbts said in Johnny Damon Program:

Playing this and is there any part reasoning, other than crappy quality control, that the Moment where you have to hit 2XBHs with one if them being a homerun (The Comeback is Complete) starts off with Damon, who is batting leadoff, up to bat in the TOP if the 2nd Inning?

Doesn't anyone at SDS test these before they release them?

Haha, what's the score? I seem to remember him having multiple at bats in the first 2 innings in game 7 against the Yankees in 2004 and they won 10-3 (completing the comeback so to speak).

Edit: I looked it up, Johnny Damon hit a grand slam in the 2nd inning and a 2 run bomb in the 4th. In that at bat is anyone on base and is there any score or did they just botch those details in a lazy move?

2-0. But the bases are loaded. Kicker is the announcer says he's the only person to strike out so far; even though this is my first AB with him.

What makes it even worse is Tallion ends up hitting him on the second pitch of the AB. Then during the next AB, some scrub with 20 speed is on 1st and he gets caught taking a lead.

The third AB I crank a homerun with him and I figure I have at least one more AB to get the other XBH.

NOPE! End of game.

I'm just tired of failing Moments due to shoddy programming.

It would be different if I failed because I hit into outs.

I’m almost positive it tells you in the description that you are starting in the 2nd inning to try and repeat his grand slam in that game. Not on my console right now, but I’m like 99% this is the moment.

Edit: I’m correct, it says right in the description “Playing with Damon in the 2nd Inning...”. Perhaps read a little more before you jump on the forum to make your hourly complaint. Then again, you’re supposedly taking a break since you’re “burned out.” Playing two accounts will tend to do that.

I invested 156k in silvers and profited 533k. There’s loads of margin in silvers if you take some time.

This card being “free” is a huge win for the community. He’s absolutely one of the best cards in this game. Really can’t complain about fake attributes anymore, especially fielding. Hell, the gave Schwarber diamond defense.

Can’t really compare BR to Ranked. Keep in mind, BR is a 3 inning game and it’s supposed to be a mock of the last 3 innings of a game. In BR, most SP are tired after 20-25 pitches, Ranked they can go 100+ before tiring. Also, all players with any kind of clutch rating or quirk that activates at the end of the game, are in play from the start for BR.

I’m biased, but for real, JT ASG is the single best catcher in the game. I know loads of people use Schwarber, but he can’t throw anyone out either. JT hits both sides really well, and his reverse stats play extremely well when opponents try to play matchup games with him.

@savefarris_psn said in A Plea to Topps Now (and eventually SDS):

Perfect through 6 with a double.

Let's go, Topps.

Loved the first AB, three straight fastballs 95+. Just LOVED it!!

@fishman0043_psn said in Feedback - Inventory:

Yeah you can. It's under ownership in the filters

While it’s great you can filter inventory with Dupes, when in the Marketplace tab, there’s no where that shows quantity owned like on the website. It’s not until you tap to place a Buy/Sell order do you see how many you own. Would be a huge benefit to have the quantity show on the main page like on the website.

@dap1234567890 said in Kendall Graveman:

Well, when TA1 came out, Gravey was pitching for the M's!!! Gravey was traded to the Trashtros on 27 July 2021.

One of the oddest trades I’ve seen in a very long time, especially with Seattle then turning around and trading for Castillo.

@whitejw98_psn said in The best possible team right now in my opinion - Redux:

At OF I'm surprised to not see TA3 Judge mentioned anywhere. Maybe it's just me, but I've been absolutely crushing it with that card.

One thing I learned a few years ago, and you’ll notice almost all of the best players in this game follow, is consistent strike zones. While Judge may be great, his SZ is huge and it’s noticeable when in the lineup, same thing is true with players like Rollins and Morgan, their SZ is small, and again, becomes a hinderance when in a groove. My lineup tends to have a very consistent SZ, you don’t have to adjust and chase after pitches that would be balls against others in your lineup, or swing at balls that would be strikes. Hope this makes sense, but it’s really all about preference, and I, like most, prefer a consistent SZ.

@raesone_psn said in The best possible team right now in my opinion - Redux:

@savagesteve74 said in The best possible team right now in my opinion - Redux:

Re: The best possible team right now in my opinion

@raesONE_PSN I’m making a big request from you here. Was looking back at your synopsis about a month ago of what you felt was the best lineup at the time. Wondering if you’d care to provide an update? I know it’s random and a big ask, but I’ve found that your style is fairly similar to mine with regards to player types and who you prefer. Completely understand if you don’t feel up to it or have other topics you’d rather focus on, but would really appreciate your insight.

Mainly, I’m wondering what players you may have moved on from and whether some of the newer cards have replaced some older ones. For example, like you, I had been using Trout, Dominguez, and Acuna in OF. But with the new additions, I’ve dropped Dominguez and added Harper, moved Trout back to CF and Acuna over to LF. I’m 50/50 on Acuna and while Trout is still a “god,” unless he comes back soon or his 99 is released, I’m feeling like better options are available.

As for infield, it’s getting rather crowded, Schmidt, Story, Jackie, Chipper, and Ortiz/Olsen are all making cases to stay in the lineup and I’m having a difficult time deciding best way to use them all.

Sorry, long winded question/opinion, but I really enjoyed your insight last month and would love your perspective - along with other opinions, but as I said earlier, I feel like my style of play is similar to yours. Plus, it’s always fun to get a debate going on who prefers what, because there really isn’t a wrong answer. If not, oh well, I’ll figure it out and no hard feelings.

Yeah of course man no probleem. It has gotten a bit harder because of all the good cards we have now. I also left out the CAP because I feel like if anyone want to use a CAP, you can pretty much plug him in anywhere.

Catcher - 98 JT Realmuto / 99 Piazza (not sure yet about this one, too soon since Piazza just dropped but I'm leaning towards Realmuto. He makes the run game non-existent and plays well above his offensive attributes with a great swing. Piazza will get some more time but he needs to really wow me for me to replace Realmuto).
First Base - 99 Vlad Guerrero Jr (one of the best pure hitters with amazing splits and gold defense at P5. Probably won't leave my lineup all year).
Second Base - 99 Mookie Betts (I still struggle a bit with him but it's turning around. Overall he is most definitely the best card from an attribute perspective and I prefer him at 2B because I want to have diamond defense on the middle infield).
Third Base - 99 Chipper Jones (this hasn't changed nor won't change, Chipper is my best hitter every year).
Shortstop - Okay this is a tough one. There are now 3 top options in Lindor, Wander and Awards Story. They all have pros and cons. I think Lindor and Wander are very similar and Wander actually has more things in his favor. He hits righties better, has more speed and a better arm (so more range). But I always rake with Lindor cards, so he is fantastic too. And there is Awards Story who most people have moved on from. I'm not most people though, I love that card and he is by far the best defensive shortstop in the game with also one of the best swings in the game. So he still gets my vote for now but I would be fine with using all 3 of these guys.
Left Field - LS Mike Trout (again, it's Mike Trout. Doesn't matter where he plays as long as he's out there).
Center Field - 98 Trea Turner (I can't take this guy out of the lineup because he is just that good. I hide him in CF despite I usually only want diamond defense in CF. But his speed somehow makes up for it and he's been surprisingly efficient out there, so he'll stay until the big CF cards drop).
Right Field - 99 Ronald Acuña Jr (this has been one my best hitters and I can't see me taking him out anytime soon, even when the big cards drop. His swing and active quirks just translate so well, that I feel like everything he touches gets insane exit velocities. His speed and cannon make him a perfect right fielder. I really enjoy this card more than any other card).

Note that my lineup doesn't include any lefties. That's not intentional, that's just the way it is right now. There are however guys who have the reverse splits, like Trout, Vladdy Jr, Realmuto and even Trea Turner. That makes a lineup just as balanced and I hit way better righty/righty than I hit lefty/lefty. So this coincidence actually benefits me.

Bench:
POTM Schwarber
99 David Ortiz
AS Nicholas Castellanos
AS Salvador Perez
99 Jackie Robinson

Edit: I hadn't seen the new 99 Tim Anderson yet, thanks to @samguenther1987 for pointing that out. He's definitely in the mix for best shortstop, especially at P5 and the fact that he does have his live series quirks like fastball hitter. He will be my new shortstop moving forward and then I'll see where I go from there.

Really appreciate it, you mentioned some players that I haven’t really even tried or thought about, so I’ll have to give them a whirl to see how they play. Again, really appreciate this.