Baserunning 101: How to Avoid Being That Guy Stuck Jogging to First in MLB The Show 23
Ah, baserunning. The unsung hero of scoring runs in MLB The Show 23. You can mash dingers like Babe Ruth himself, but if your baserunners move with the grace of a sloth on sleeping pills, you'll be left with a whole lotta nothin'. Fear not, fellow gamers! This guide will turn you from a baserunning blunderbuss into a base-stealing bandit.
The Art of the Advance: From Couch Potato to Speedy Gonzales
There are two main ways to get your base runners hustlin':
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Button Mashing: This is the "point and shoot" approach. Hold L1 to send all your runners on a wild goose chase to the next base. It's fast, easy, but requires the strategic finesse of a particularly enthusiastic toddler. You might end up with a runner caught in a rundown or a double play if you're not careful.
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Analog Hero: This is where things get fancy. Flick the left thumbstick towards a runner to target them, then use the D-pad or buttons (your choice, we don't judge!) to send them on their merry way. This gives you more control, like sending that speedy outfielder on second all the way home on a single. Just be careful not to develop a case of "analog stick drift" from all the fancy footwork!
The Steal: Friend or Foe?
The stolen base. A thing of beauty when it works, a source of rage-inducing frustration when it doesn't. Here's the skinny:
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Hold L2 to initiate a steal attempt. Release it at the right time (good luck!), and your runner might just be safe. But beware, a botched steal can leave you with a runner dangling and exposed, ripe for an easy tag.
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**Read the pitcher! A pitcher with a slow windup might be an easy target, while a guy with a lightning-fast delivery will have your runner looking like a deer in headlights.
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**Base on Balls are Your Best Friend: A runner on first with a full count? That's practically a steal sign! The pitcher's gotta focus on the batter, giving your runner a golden opportunity to take off.
Remember: Stealing is a gamble. Don't become "that guy" who steals on a 3-0 count with two outs. Unless you're down by five runs in the bottom of the ninth, maybe just take the base hit, my dude.
Advanced Baserunning Tactics: Are You Ready for the Big Leagues?
Once you've mastered the basics, it's time to unleash your inner baserunning guru. Here's some next-level stuff to separate you from the pack:
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The Hit-and-Run: This classic play involves the batter taking a swing (ideally making contact) while the runner on first takes off. It can catch the defense off guard and create scoring opportunities. Just make sure your batter can actually hit the dang ball! There's nothing worse than a botched hit-and-run where your runner gets doubled up.
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The Lead Off: This involves having your runners take a slight lead off the base. It allows them to jump on a pitch quicker, increasing their chances of stealing or advancing on a hit. But be careful! A big lead or a bad jump can lead to a pickoff play, where the pitcher throws to a base to catch a runner napping.
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**Situational Awareness is Key: Think about the score, the inning, the number of outs, and your runner's speed. A slow runner on first with two outs in a close game? Maybe just hold him back. A speedy outfielder on second with a base hit? Unleash the kraken!
By mastering these tips, you'll be a baserunning maestro, racking up runs and leaving your opponents in the dust. Remember, baserunning is all about making smart decisions and taking calculated risks. So get out there, have fun, and turn those double plays into triple threats! Just try not to trip over the controller in your excitement.