MLB The Show 23: From Chuck Knoblauch to Cy Young - Your Pitching Journey
Ah, pitching in MLB The Show 23. It can be as glorious as Randy Johnson mowing down hitters or as frustrating as watching Chuck Knoblauch try to play first base (seriously, what was that?). But fear not, aspiring flamethrower, this guide will turn you from a batting practice pitcher into a strikeout machine.
Choosing Your Weapon: Pitching Styles Explained
First things first, gotta pick your poison. MLB The Show 23 offers two main pitching styles:
- Classic: This is your grandpa's pitching. Easy to pick up, you just aim the reticle and unleash the heater. Great for beginners, but mastering it against higher difficulties can feel like trying to herd cats.
- Pinpoint Pitching: Buckle up, buttercup. This is where things get spicy. You use the analog stick to mimic a pitcher's motion, timing it perfectly to achieve pinpoint accuracy. It's a learning curve steeper than a Nolan Ryan fastball, but once you master it, you'll be leaving hitters looking more lost than a mime at a convention.
Pro Tip: Classic is fine for casual play, but for ultimate domination, pinpoint is the way to go. Just remember, practice makes perfect (and by perfect, we mean not throwing a wild pitch that ends up in the upper deck).
Mixing it Up: The Art of the Deceptive Delivery
Here's the real secret, folks: variety is king. Don't be a one-trick pony chunking fastballs all game. A good pitcher keeps hitters guessing with a diverse arsenal of pitches. Here's your pitching cheat sheet:
- Fastball: Your bread and butter. Comes in flavors like four-seam, two-seam, and cutter, each with its own movement.
- Off-speed: Changeups, curveballs, sliders – these are your friends for fooling batters and making them look silly (bonus points for weak groundouts).
- Specialty pitches: Some pitchers have unique offerings like sinkers or knuckleballs. Master these and you'll be the bane of your opponent's existence (in a friendly way, of course).
Remember: Throwing fastballs all game is like trying to win a dance competition with only the robot. It might work once, but it'll get old fast (pun intended).
Locating, Locating, Locating: Where Pitches Go on Vacation (and Hopefully Not Over the Fence)
So, you've got your pitches, but where do you throw them? Just chucking the ball randomly is a recipe for disaster (and a very unhappy catcher). Aim for the edges of the strike zone, low and away, high and tight – make the batter work for that hit.
Here's the kicker: Don't be afraid to mix things up. Throw a fastball down the middle every now and then to keep the hitter honest. Just remember, location is key. A perfectly placed off-speed pitch can be more effective than a misplaced fastball
Become a Mastermind: Scouting and Sequencing Like a Pro
Think pitching is just about throwing hard? Think again! A great pitcher is also a strategist. Here's how to level up your mental game:
- Scouting: Before the game, take a peek at your opponent's hitters and see what they struggle with. Does that slugger love fastballs? Maybe start him off with a curveball.
- Sequencing: Don't be predictable! Throw a fastball followed by a changeup, then maybe a slider. Keep the hitter guessing what's coming next.
Remember: Pitching is a chess match, not a game of whack-a-mole. Outsmart your opponent, and those strikeouts will come rolling in.
So there you have it, aspiring aces! With a little practice, these tips will have you dominating the mound and leaving hitters shaking their heads. Now go forth and conquer, and remember, pitching is about having fun (and maybe striking out a few batters along the way).
