Why isn’t this team hitting? First Time Player

[jmgreer]

Hey I'm just underway in my first season but I'm wondering if anyone with some experience might see why this team isan't hitting.

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2005/team/team_other.html?user_id=74721&stats=actual

http://fantasygames.sportingnews.com/baseball/stratomatic/2005/team/team_other.html?user_id=74721&stats=sim

I drafted the best staff I could on a budget and supplemented it with a pitchers park and a great defense.

I put more focus on the offence with an emphasis on players with defense, clutch, no GIDP. The team has alot of 2b as well as some HR and Speed.

I realize its very early in the season, should I just wait on a few roles? I’ve scored a league low 58 runs in 15 games; also only allowed 58.

Thanks for any comments.

[jmgreer]

If you look at the average totals from the actual stats the year before they are:
BA: .272 SLG: .426 OBP: .347
After 15 games:
BA: .237 SLG: .365 OBP: .330

Are there any tricks to getting the numbers up, like shaking up the line-up or is it all what pitchers they face and up to the rolls?

[kylerose256]

Be patient....it's early. You're only 15 games in. Helton will hit so will Ichiro. Wilkerson, Blalock and Hunter will have thier struggles. Be happy if any of the 3 hit above .260 in Comerica. I would re-evaluate around the game 36 to mark, but even then it is a small sample size. I do think you will struggle in Comerica I think it will sap alot of power out of the aforementioned 3 hitters. Here is a stat line for Wilkerson in Shea which is 1-12 for LH.

Wilkerson, B. AB 648 H 114 2B 30 HR 38 RBI 110 BB 98 AVG .241 SLG .478 OBP .347

If you get anything like that, count your blessings.

[coyote303]

Remember, on average, you will be facing much tougher pitching than your players faced in real life. So, your expected results will always be lower than real-life figures. There is also a good chance the fielding you are up against, on average, is better than real-life.

Ball parks will affect statistics as well, but not necessarily negatively.

[artie4121]

. . you will notice that the pitching won't be as strong by the numbers as they are in the majors because they too are facing a stronger concentration of hitters esp in 12-team, $80 or $100 leagues.

Also, I have found two things in my modest experience here:

1. Be patient, as has been said here. You need 50 games or so to tell what the tendency of your team will be both vs. the division and the league.

2. Do not make radical, early roster moves. They are often costly AND wrong. I've made a handful that I wished I could take back and cost me dearly. You are better off tinkering with your lineup and settings than dropping players early in the season.

Good luck.

Artie

[chasenally]

almost always find that I can't find a better card then I already have. The coluums may change (1 2 3 ) but most of the time the player I already have is better than the one I pick up for less value. If you do want to make a move email the other teams in your league and give them a chance to make an offer first. Up to 20 percent cap hit is costly. Remember that it is the roll of the dice. I am just finishing a league where almost all my players took a poop but am I going to dump a stud player who has better chances at a hit just because the dice are not hitting his card. NOW for the most important advice of ALL!!!! Worship HAL for he is the way and the light of this robot game :shock: . Good Luck and may the rolls go your way. Mike

[jmgreer]

Thanks for the advice gents, much appreciated.

[the splinter]

2 items to consider:

1) In theory going with pitching and D in a pitchers park is the correct thing to do. But you might want to consider sacrificing some D for some O. The park and the pitching will protect/balance out less than stellar D and the increase in O will be beneficial at home and on the road.

2) this is the biggie...you have 8 out of 9 LHH in the line up vs. RHP. A decent manager will pick up a cheap RHP that slays LHH and you are meat my friend. Plus your existing LHH line up doesn't feature hitters who dominate RHP(Helton excluded). If you are going with 8 LHH vs RHP then you need some studs who pound RHP...and some cheap platoons who can face the LHRP late in games.

[rvalente01]

I have to disagree a little with some of the posts. Generally you can pretty much tell if a guy is going to produce after 100 AB. If he hasn’t turned it around by then he isn’t. If you are in a league with 5/10/20 waiver penalties then you can consider even 75 AB and be a little more aggressive. Also don’t be afraid of platoons if free agents options at a position appear weak to you.

Results in a pitchers park are always going to be a less for big power hitters. Comerica is tough park for both power and singles hitters, you might want to consider some high OBP guys who walk a little more and have some speed. I’m not a fan of Blalock for Comerica, not enough pure HR opportunities on his card.

It seems the other teams in your division are heavy RH pitching. While you’re a little LH heavy on hitters they are not overly RH tilted so are not able to take advantage of the RH pitching.

In the future you might want to consider a 4 man staff, even in the more recent years there are enough of them to make it worth your while. You carry one less starter so more money to upgrade. If you go with a 4 man your 5th required starter should be a starter reliever so you can get some use out of him and protect your bullpen a little. Good luck.