Calling All Bullpen Buddies: Your Pitcher's Arm is Toast (But You Don't Have to Be!) - A Guide to Pitching Substitutions in MLB The Show 22
Ah, the age-old dilemma. Your trusty starter, once mowing down batters like a Zamboni on fresh ice, is now resembling a confused windmill. His fastball resembles a slow-pitch softball toss, and his curveball? More like a gentle parabola. Fear not, fellow baseball mastermind, for there's a solution – the glorious art of the pitching substitution!
But First, A Word From Our Sponsors (Who Totally Aren't Elbow Specialists)
We interrupt this very important pitching lesson to remind you: throwing heat all game isn't exactly a recipe for a healthy arm (or a dominant pitching performance). Pace yourself! Mix up your pitches, throw to both sides of the plate, and maybe consider a vacation to Tommy John Island sometime soon (it's lovely this time of year).
Alright, back to our regularly scheduled program.
Unleashing the Bullpen: How to Sub Like a Champ
There are two main ways to yank your struggling starter and unleash the fury of your bullpen in MLB The Show 22:
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The Pause Menu: This is your classic, in-game strategy screen. Press Start (or the equivalent button on your console), navigate to the Manager tab, and then Substitute. From there, you'll see your glorious bullpen in all its pixelated glory. Just select the pitcher you want to bring in and – voila! Instant pitching change (though, you might wanna warn your new guy, y'know, just in case).
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The Quick Menu: Feeling the pressure? No sweat! During the game (when the pitcher isn't throwing), hold L1 (or the equivalent button) and use the D-pad to highlight your chosen reliever. Boom, another quick sub and you're back in business (hopefully).
Important Note: You can't just yank your starter after every batter. There are rules, even in the digital world! According to the game's adaptation of MLB rules, a pitcher generally has to face at least three batters (unless the inning ends).
Pro Tips for a Pitching Mastermind
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Know Your Bullpen: Not all relievers are created equal. Some are fire-breathing closers, while others are better suited for eating innings. Check their strengths and weaknesses before making a sub, and consider the situation – a lefty reliever against a string of lefty hitters might be a smart move.
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Don't Be Afraid to Get Creative: Maybe your starter is struggling with his fastball, but his off-speed stuff is still sharp. Leave him in for a batter or two and see if he can locate with his other pitches. Sometimes, a little changeup can go a long way (pun intended).
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Listen to Your Gut (and Maybe the Announcers): Those virtual announcers might actually have some valuable insights. If they're commenting on your starter's fatigue, it might be time to make a change. And hey, your gut feeling can be pretty darn good too!
With these tips in your pitching arsenal, you'll be a master of substitutions in no time. Now go forth and dominate! Just remember, even the best relievers get roughed up sometimes. That's why they call it a game, folks.
