Okay, here’s my personal experience and guide on how to pick off runners in MLB The Show 23, written from the perspective of a seasoned gamer and blogger:
Alright, folks, let’s dive into something that can really change the tide of a game in MLB The Show 23: picking off runners. I’ve been playing this game for a while, and trust me, mastering pickoffs can be a game-changer. I remember this one time, I was down by one run in the bottom of the ninth, two outs, and the other guy had a speedster on first. I knew I had to do something, or he’d steal second and be in scoring position. So, here’s what I’ve learned through countless hours (and a few frustrating mistakes!).
Getting Started: The Basics
First things first, you gotta know the controls. I fumbled around with this at the beginning, so let me save you some grief:
- Holding L2 (or LT on Xbox): This is your key to peeking at the runner. It zooms in on the base and gives you a better view of their lead. Don’t skip this! I used to just guess, and, well, it didn’t go well.
- Quickly Tap the Base Button: After holding L2, you quickly press the button that represents which base the runner is occupying.(Circle for first, Triangle for Second, and Square for Third.)
The Actual Pickoff Move
So, you’ve got your eye on the runner, now what? It’s all about timing, and that’s what took me the longest to figure out. Don’t just spam the button; that’s a rookie mistake I definitely made early on. Watch the runner’s movements. Are they inching off the base? Are they twitchy? That’s your moment!
After Holding L2, you have a variety of pickoff moves:
- Quick Throw: After holding L2, quickly Tap the base button to make a quick throw over to attempt to pick off the runner.
- Deceptive Throw: After Holding L2, press and hold the base button, then release it to make a deceptive throw over.
- Step Off: Press R2 (or RT on Xbox) to have your pitcher step off the mound.
My “Aha!” Moment
I used to think pickoffs were mostly luck. Then I had this one game where I was facing a guy who was constantly taking huge leads. I was getting destroyed on the basepaths. That’s when I really committed to learning the timing. I spent a whole afternoon just practicing in custom practice mode. I started noticing the little animations – the slight lean, the foot shuffle – that gave away when a runner was about to go.
Practice Makes Perfect
Seriously, go into practice mode. Set up a runner on first and just work on it. Try different pitchers, too. Some guys have quicker moves than others. You’ll start to develop a feel for it, I promise. It’s like learning any other skill in the game – it takes repetition.
My biggest tip, practice each pickoff move and use them in online and offline game modes, you will begin to notice that some runners take bigger leads when you least expect it. Utilizing all 3 pickoff moves is key!
Don’t Overdo It
One last piece of advice – don’t get pickoff-crazy. If you try it too often, the runner will adjust, and you’ll end up throwing a balk. It’s a weapon, but use it wisely. I learned that the hard way, too. Gave up a crucial run once because I got too predictable.
So, there you have it. My journey from pickoff newbie to (somewhat) of a pickoff artist. It takes time, patience, and a whole lot of practice, but it’s worth it. Go out there, try it out, and let me know how it goes! Good luck, and happy gaming!
