R.B.I. Baseball: pitching staff ratings
The ratings abbreviations below explain what all the numbers mean
SF = fast ball rating (press down on the control pad)
SR = regular speed pitch rating (A button only)
SS = change-up/knuckle ball rating (press up on the control pad)
*To offer perspective on these numbers-Juan Berenguer has the highest fast pitch rating in the game at 216, which translates to about a 104 MPH pitch.
Bob Ojeda has the lowest change up rating at 133, which allows him to consistently throw his change-up/knuckle in the upper 50's to lower 60's.
SF = fast ball rating (press down on the control pad)
SR = regular speed pitch rating (A button only)
SS = change-up/knuckle ball rating (press up on the control pad)
*To offer perspective on these numbers-Juan Berenguer has the highest fast pitch rating in the game at 216, which translates to about a 104 MPH pitch.
Bob Ojeda has the lowest change up rating at 133, which allows him to consistently throw his change-up/knuckle in the upper 50's to lower 60's.
CL =curve into a left handed hitter
CR =curve into a right handed hitter
DR =drop ball/knuckle ball rating (the higher the # the more likely the pitch will be in the dirt and can't be hit)
EN =endurance (the amount of pitches thrown before tiring)
* Endurance is key. When the pitch count reaches his endurance number, his pitching speed and ability to curve decreases rapidly. Each pitch thrown counts as 1 towards a pitchers maximum number. However throwing a fastball, or knuckle balls counts as 2. You need to sparingly use the fastball & change-up.
The starting pitchers typically have a rating of 40-45 pitches they can throw before tiring. The relief pitchers usually are only able to throw about 15 before tiring.
CR =curve into a right handed hitter
DR =drop ball/knuckle ball rating (the higher the # the more likely the pitch will be in the dirt and can't be hit)
EN =endurance (the amount of pitches thrown before tiring)
* Endurance is key. When the pitch count reaches his endurance number, his pitching speed and ability to curve decreases rapidly. Each pitch thrown counts as 1 towards a pitchers maximum number. However throwing a fastball, or knuckle balls counts as 2. You need to sparingly use the fastball & change-up.
The starting pitchers typically have a rating of 40-45 pitches they can throw before tiring. The relief pitchers usually are only able to throw about 15 before tiring.
Boston
Considering the powerful bats Boston possesses, you merely need to keep the opponent in check to win with this staff. It's hard for me to pin point an exact formula I've consistently used for success with this staff. There's a lot of different angles to use with this staff.
Obviously Clemens is a likely the game 1 pitcher. Stanley isn't a bad option to start the game with. Reason being he has the same movement as Clemens. However once he tires out and the opponent is used to seeing 70mph pitches, you can run Clemens in and fireball away. It's bound to take a inning for the opponent to adjust to the speed.
Schiraldi is typically the last pitcher I run out there and only want to rely on him for an inning. Hurst is a pretty lack-lustre pitcher, but being a lefty with a solid knuckle ball makes him better than you'd think. Despite that Hurst is not a guy you want involved with game 1.
Obviously Clemens is a likely the game 1 pitcher. Stanley isn't a bad option to start the game with. Reason being he has the same movement as Clemens. However once he tires out and the opponent is used to seeing 70mph pitches, you can run Clemens in and fireball away. It's bound to take a inning for the opponent to adjust to the speed.
Schiraldi is typically the last pitcher I run out there and only want to rely on him for an inning. Hurst is a pretty lack-lustre pitcher, but being a lefty with a solid knuckle ball makes him better than you'd think. Despite that Hurst is not a guy you want involved with game 1.
California
In some regards, California looks fairly pedestrian on paper. Witt and Sutton both possess decent curve, however neither throws very hard. What's great about these guys is the huge 50 pitch stamina they have. Witt is the clear cut game 1 pitcher as his attributes trump Sutton's.
Corbet is a pretty decent pitcher. Based on match-up he can be used to start the game, or come in after Witt is done for. Moore on the other hand is a guy you only want to use if completely necessary. Save him for last and hope you don't have to use him.
Corbet is a pretty decent pitcher. Based on match-up he can be used to start the game, or come in after Witt is done for. Moore on the other hand is a guy you only want to use if completely necessary. Save him for last and hope you don't have to use him.
Detroit
Get ready for a short and sweet write up! This is an easy one....success hinges on Alexander having a good game. His ability far overshadows Morris, and easily makes him the game 1 starter.
Moving from there, I always go to Hernandez in the pen once the starter tires out. Hernandez is a solid lefty with a fastball that blows by you. Hernandez doesn't throw very hard with regular pitches, but his fastball is an abrupt change in speed and catches opponents off guard. King isn't anything special and like a few other relievers in RBI, he's a guy you only want to use when absolutely needed.
Moving from there, I always go to Hernandez in the pen once the starter tires out. Hernandez is a solid lefty with a fastball that blows by you. Hernandez doesn't throw very hard with regular pitches, but his fastball is an abrupt change in speed and catches opponents off guard. King isn't anything special and like a few other relievers in RBI, he's a guy you only want to use when absolutely needed.
Houston
Since its righties across the board, the standard issued rotation by me is to start Kerfeld. He's solid against lefties, and can mow thru 3 innings on a good day in a starters role. Switching gears from there, Ryan then creates a massive change of pace as he throws a lot of heat.
Scott isnt a bad pitcher, but his knuckle ball rating is too high, and he doesn't have a lot of curve. I feel he's not a strong game 1 pitcher. Problem being that your opponent can pretty much "take" any knuckle ball with 2 strikes and not worry a lot because most all of those pitches end up in the dirt and are called a ball.
Smith in late inning role doesn't provide much other than a fastball.
Scott isnt a bad pitcher, but his knuckle ball rating is too high, and he doesn't have a lot of curve. I feel he's not a strong game 1 pitcher. Problem being that your opponent can pretty much "take" any knuckle ball with 2 strikes and not worry a lot because most all of those pitches end up in the dirt and are called a ball.
Smith in late inning role doesn't provide much other than a fastball.
Minnesota
New York
Interestingly enough, it all starts with Orosco for me. The side arm reliever mows down righties like mad. Many people have expressed difficulty in hitting off side arm pitcher because of the extra movement the ball seems to have. Run Orosco out there to start the game and typically you can get 3 innings out of him.
Bucking more trends when I go to the pen, Ojeda is usually my guy in the opener of a 3 game series. Partially because I prefer lefty pitchers, and furthermore because the guy has wicked stuff. His good drop ball rating is key in getting some strikeouts, and he's got the ability to throw a pitch that tails away from righties off the plate. It looks very hittable when it leaves the mound.
McDowell is actually a decent pitcher to use to close out a game. Half-way decent movement, decent fast ball, and solid knuckle ball.
Gooden is typically my game 2 guy. His attributes are pretty solid, but Ive found that a lefty(Ojeda) who can give me 4-5 innings is too valuable to not use twice in a 3 game set.
Bucking more trends when I go to the pen, Ojeda is usually my guy in the opener of a 3 game series. Partially because I prefer lefty pitchers, and furthermore because the guy has wicked stuff. His good drop ball rating is key in getting some strikeouts, and he's got the ability to throw a pitch that tails away from righties off the plate. It looks very hittable when it leaves the mound.
McDowell is actually a decent pitcher to use to close out a game. Half-way decent movement, decent fast ball, and solid knuckle ball.
Gooden is typically my game 2 guy. His attributes are pretty solid, but Ive found that a lefty(Ojeda) who can give me 4-5 innings is too valuable to not use twice in a 3 game set.
San Francisco
San Fran is able to run a pretty stacked staff out to the mound. Krukow and Reuschel offer the most duanting duo of starters imagaineable. Wicked curve action and nasty knuckle balls from both. niether throws that hard, but you make batters look stupid during the 4-5 innings they are on the hill.
Garrelts movement isn't good, but he can throw heat late. The added bonus is a solid knuckle ball that'll hit the dirt more often than not. Robinson is a pretty solid reliever. He is easily the 1st call to the bull pen.
Garrelts movement isn't good, but he can throw heat late. The added bonus is a solid knuckle ball that'll hit the dirt more often than not. Robinson is a pretty solid reliever. He is easily the 1st call to the bull pen.
ST. Louis
American League
National League
