My RBI Manifesto.

[Reds]

 This is where I plan on givng my strategies with each and every team in RBI...I wont go into individual matchups, but I will discuss how I pitch/manage against every team too.

1.  Boston
     Batting:  My favorite team to play with.  Get Burks in at leadoff, and follow him with Hindu for Buckner and Armas batting 8th for Owen.  That way you get more power.  You can afford to sacrifice speed because you shouldnt be in a station to station type game with Boston.  Using this lineup you've got great hitters 1-6.  Gedman never seems to come through in the clutch for me, but he does a good job of adding run support in late innings a lot of time. 
     
     Pitching:  Clemens has a great fastball and good breaking stuff, and I've always been fond of Bruce Hurst and the Steamer, but they aren't great.  Look to give up lots of gopher balls with the bullpen.  If you can't get Clemens through 6 look to have problems.  Do whatever you can to avoid bringing in Schiraldi.

     Playing against:  Lefty pitchers do fine.  Tudor can dominate this lineup.  If playing with a team that doesnt have great lefty pitching, stay away from the inside. 

2.  California
     
     Batting:  Pettis takes a seat at the leadoff for Rupert, who is one the game's strongest off the bench.  Then it's a coinflip over whether I take out Grich or Boone and play Hendrick.  Usually Wilfong, aka the Wolf, is great to come in later innings for your pitcher, he always seems to hit long balls in clutch situations.  He isn't botch.  With Rupert at leadoff, 1-5 are all home run threats at every at bat.  Reggie Jackson seems to be the real concundrum in this lineup...he pulls the ball a ton, and always hits it hard, but it's either 600 ft, or right at the first baseman.  Nto alot of speed in this lineup either, so being patient and teeing off on mistake pitches is a must. 

     Pitching:  I pitch fairly well with Mike Witt, who doesnt really have anything overpowering, but seems to get the job done.  The Bullpen is rough times, and if you don have a solid lead, be wary.  Corbet at times has an unhittable drop ball.  Steer clear of playing Donnie Moore, especially in save situations.  Bad things will happen otherwise. 

     Playing against:  If they dont hit HRs you are in decent shape, force them to run the bases.  Again stay away from them, and keep it on the outside. 

3.  Detroit
     
     Batting:  As Alan Trammel goes, so go the Tigers.  He's the games best leadoff man.  But if he isn't getting on base, the Tigers have problems scoring runs.  No major changes to the lineup, just get Madlock in at 5.  Herndon brings nothing to the table as a hitter.  This team has the best power and worst speed.  Brooken is also the best 8 hole hitter in the game. 

     Pitching:  Ugh.  Doyle is a decent starter, who seem to pitch better as the game moves on into the fourth and fifth.  try and keep Morris out of save situations as he blows alot of close games.  King is serviceable, but look to be in alot of high scoring games.

     Playing against:  watch out.  They are sort of inconsistent, but when they are on they hit it a ton...Don't be afraid to walk Brookens if need be.  Double plays can be a dime a dozen at times, as they dont pick up many doubles. 

4.  New York

     Batting:  One of the toughest teams to win with consistently.  And a tough team to manage as they have a deep bench and 3 solid pitchers.  The lack of power is disconcerting, but they can make up for it with very good base hitters, and good speed.  Starwberry is a great hitter, yet inconsistent, about putting it over the fence.  I like to sit Backman for tough out Teufel, and Sanatana for HoJo.  I think the key to this team is getting Dykstra and Wilson on base.  Gary Carter always seems to have decent pop.  But Keith Hernandez is a disappointment.  Heep of Trouble is a solid one at bat guy for your pitcher late usually.  Mazzili also seems to be quite clutch.

     Pitching:  Depends entirely on who you are playing against.  Gooden is the better starter usually, but against Boston, and other righty heavy lineups, I tend to try and get four or five out of Ojeda, who has great break to both sides of the plate.  Gooden pitches alot like Clemens, solid all around.  Ojeda is a sidearmer whose motion makes his curve to the right quite deceptive.  I like the staff other the McDowell, who I try and not play unless necessary.

     Playing against:  With their lack of power, there aren't many threats in the lineup.  Stay away from Strawberry, maybe even walk him with runners on and two outs.  The better players won't lose often to New York, but winning with them is possible.


There's the first four teams, I'll post my thoughts on the other four in a bit.

[TbT]

One thing i love about Detroit, is the power from the bench.  late in games you can keep subbing guys in over most anyone in that line-up(besides evans or brookens) and still gain some decent power points on PH bonus.  it's a freakin assembly line of weapons if your trailing late and need a homer.

Also with Detroit, Hernandez can play a huge role against arch rival Boston.  The lefty can nibble away for a few innings and slow down thier roll.  Probably not so effective vs lefties, but he's tough on the righties.

When using Boston Armas is leading off for me.  He's got substancial power advantages over burks and henderson.  He also bats leadoff cause he's a slow bag of ass, and i'll take my chances of burks beating out a double play attempts behind him during the games.  But if Armas is in the 8 spot, he's also more likely to see free passes to get to the pitcher, even with 0 outs.

For NY's lack of power, that pitching staff is crazy.  Many people may not realize, but mcdowell can bring some decent heat and does have a great drop ball.  His stamina is average for a reliever, but he can get 1 or 2 huge outs in a jam with that dropper.

Im also glad to see you leave in nails and mookie in.  those guys are fairly productive for me, and i like thier speed.  My main gripe with Strawberry is that he bats 5th.  There have been countless times where id have a guy or 2 on base, and the inning ends with Carter.  many, many times this has happened.  Its a shame Straw wasnt penciled in at #4, i believe they would be more lethal for me.

[fknmclane]

I agree with the Straw thing, especially since whoever you put in behind him sucks ass as well.  Definitely a problem with that lineup.

[JoeDirt]

When using Boston Armas is leading off for me.  He's got substancial power advantages over burks and henderson.  He also bats leadoff cause he's a slow bag of ass, and i'll take my chances of burks beating out a double play attempts behind him during the games. 

In my opinion, this is too defensively thinking (not as in fielding, but as in defense against something bad)...'cause yeah, you're right--Armas in the 2 hole is less likely than Burks to beat out a double play, but why focus on that?  Why assume you're going to hit into a double play?  Why not say that Burks can motor around the bases faster when the plus two hitter drives the ball?  Armas is more likely to clog the bases when the plus two hitter drives the ball...

[fknmclane]

So if you don't bat Armas first or eighth, I'm assuming you bat him second?  But really, is there that much difference between batting him first or second?  I think at some point too much thinking gets done.

For example, not batting Armas eighth.  Yes, I know he's super duper slow and the pitcher would be following him.  And that a very good player in anything goes wouldn't give him shit to hit to get to the pitcher.  But the same thing would happen with the Boston lineup no matter who bats eighth, Armas, Hendu or Burks.

Am I crazy?

[TbT]

armas at #2 aint a bad idea.  he's the most [powerful off the bench and over the course of a game, you figger he'll step up to bat at least once or twice with burks on and a chance for a 2 run shot.

back in the old days, we used to bat burks, armas, henderson, rice, baylor for the top 5.  boggs was benched.  that was a complete nightmare to face for 5 str8 batters, and dewey offered little relief at #6.  honestly thinking about it, i realy hated facing that line-up. 

sure it made 7-8-9 basically easy outs, but there was no way in hell to pitch around that line-up, and go after Boggs for a little relief.   

[Reds]

Part 2


5.  Houston

     Hitting:  Ugh...The lack of power hitting is major problems, but team speed is way above average.  Billy Hatcher usually gets an at bat for me....I've had him put a few in the cheap seats, but they are few and far between.  The safer bet is Davy Lopes who has alot more power than the numbers indicate, I think.  Same with Cruz...deceptive power if he gets ahold of one.  Davis is a bag of ass, and Bass is unreliable.  Doran Doran has good speed, and ashby generally sits for Garner.  running smart and being patient is the key to winning consistently with this team, that and luck. 

     Pitching:  Tihs is the only way to stay in alot of games, their staff.  Nolan is a beast, even though I dont use alot of heaters, he has good breaking stuff to both sides of the plate.  If you get 6 out of him and are ahead or tied, Mike Scott's dropball is deadly.  And Kerfield is a solid side armer who pitches well against lefties.  I keep Smith off the mound as he's only good for ten pitches or so before he's juiced, your money is made with starting Ryan Scott for middle relief, and Kerfield as a closer.

     Playing against:  force them to throw alot of pitches.  The quicker you get Ryan out, the better of you usually are.  Patience is the key, dont swing at bad pitches and good things tend to happen for you against pretty much every team in RBI.

6.  St Louis

     Hitting:  Speed speed speed.  with Ozzie and Vince put it on teh ground to the left side of the infield and you should easily get them on base everytime.  Herr needs to be replaced with Jimmy Lindeman who always seems to come through in late innings heroically.  Jakc Clarks doesnt have nearly the power his numbers say he does, and he is just serviceable as a four hole hitter.  Winning with StL is mostly done forme by getting McGee and Pendleton on base, when they play well so does everyne else.  John MOrris has a good pop to bring in later in the game as a pinch hitter, and at times I even put him in at 3 and Lindeman at 8.

     Pitching:  Live and die by John Tudor.  The fact that he's a lefty and has great break makes him a beast.  But the pen doesnt offer too much. Depending on what team you are playing against, Cox breaks it well to the left, and Dayley to the right, so when using these guys keep it outside and try hitting the corners. 

     Playing against:  Once again, patience.  Tudor is tough to hit usually especially with right handed heavy lineups.  So with Boston play it safe, with teams like detroit, I say swing away...try and get all over Tudor early and get the early lead since the power hitting is nonexistant. 

7.  San Fransisco

     Hitting:  Get Uribe out immediately and put in Spillman usually, though Speier.  Both have great power and are among my favorite bench players in the game.  for some reason this is a team that looks like it should have a ton of power, but generally doesnt hit alot of homers.  Maldonado is a top five player in the game when he's on and Will Clark backs him up well.  Chili Davis is your bread and butter though, great speed good power, good contact hitter.  When he's hitting well, san Fran is a very competitive team.    I tend to take out thompson and put Speier in if he's not already hitting earlier in the lineup and then I put Spillman in. 

     Pitching:  I like this teams entire staff.  Krukow and Big Daddy can both Huff and Puff their way through six strong, and both break the ball alot to either side of the plate.  Watch out for lineups with alot of righties though, I tend to start Rueschle against Boston and Minnesota.  Their pen is usually solid for me too, robinson is great against lefties and decent against righties, and Smelly Garrelts seems to get the job done as a closer if needed, which he shouldnt be. 

     Playing against:  Very beatable because their power isnt really great.  Lefty pitchers do a fine job, just watch Davis and Maldonado, dont be afraid to walk either in key situations, but be wary of Will Clark who can break your heart after an intentional walk to the Candy man. 

8.  Minnesota

     Hitting:  There should be no changes in the lineup unless I'm experimenting.  top to bottom, they can put runs on the board with the longball too.  Puckett is easily the most disappointing player in RBI but Bruno and dirty Laundry make up for it with good pop.  They seems to be able to hit balls on the outer half of the plate better than other teams usually.  Bush should be your first pinch hitter, followed by davidson.

     Pitching:  Blyeleven is a batter starter aginst leftys and Viola against righties.  I always felt this staff was a bit overrated.  If you need to Reardon can get two good innings, and Berenguer is a natural fireballer of a closer.  They all pitch well in close game usually and all four can be used effectively.

     Playing against:  I go inside against them more so than I do against other teams because of how they hit pitches on the outer half.  They can drive the ball well, and can beat you station to station or witht he longball.  Force Berenguer to throw alot of heaters late in the game if behind. 


Well, there it is, there's how I play with every team and all of my roster moves.....enjoy!

[Attezz]

If I had a dollar for everytime I faced Hendu in the 8 hole with two outs and immediately said "I have no idea why I pitch to him", I'd have many, many dollars.

[Reds]

But TBT with a good lefty pitcher that lineup would be dominated...hell with Boggs in and Buckner out Tudor can run up and down the lineup fairly easily.  Plus I hit alot of extra base hits with Boggs, who generally drives it to the gap or out when he gets on base.

[fknmclane]

If I had a dollar for everytime I faced Hendu in the 8 hole with two outs and immediately said "I have no idea why I pitch to him", I'd have many, many dollars.

I think I'm reading this correctly and I think you mean that you've been stubborn and pitched to him anyway, only to see a ball get launched over the lights. I'm stubborn that way as well.  I say fuck Hendu (or whoever is hitting 8th) and they usually make me pay.

[Attezz]

Exactly, that tends to be my downfall, challenging hitters and keeping pitchers in too long. But with the Boston lineup, and the fact that you can only pinch hit for the pitcher once, it's huge to have the 9 hole start off an inning.

Last night was a prime example, I was Cali, Octo was Detroit, Corbet pitched the first four, Moore came in for two, he was due to lead off the next inning, so I left him in, I proceeded to give up five runs with him. But it was totally worth it as Burleson pinch hit and popped up weakly to second.

I was almost out of the inning, I walked a guy to load the bases, and that was immediately followed by a Brookens grand slam, I think if that ever comes up again, I'll walk in a run and face the pitcher, worse case scenario I get the pitcher out of the game and Octo has to stretch an extra inning out of a reliever.

[fknmclane]

It sounds like you play a lot like me.  I ALWAYS leave my pitchers in too long, especially if I'm doing very well with, regardless if they've been tired the last six outs and I've been lucky.

[TbT]

I was almost out of the inning, I walked a guy to load the bases, and that was immediately followed by a Brookens grand slam, I think if that ever comes up again, I'll walk in a run and face the pitcher, worse case scenario I get the pitcher out of the game and Octo has to stretch an extra inning out of a reliever.

I'll concur that walking in a run aint the worst thing you could do in that situation.  damn, thats something i really might not have considered, but in reality if you got a lead, do it.

[fknmclane]

Ladies and gentleman, Buck Showalter!