[alnorth]

My strategy now is if I face a good starter, I will try to take 3 pitches the first time through the order (if I'm 0-2, I'll protect the plate), and the first pitch the second time. I'll randomly decide to look for a first-pitch strike to swing at once the first time and twice the second time. (if you always take the first pitch then the computer will start pumping in first-pitch strikes, so you gotta mix it up and let the CPU know that you just might swing at the first pitch) If its 0-1 or 0-2, the odds of a ball are very high (but they still sometimes throw 3 strikes). Sometimes I have to remind myself "ok, don't swing at this dude's crap"

The reason is that if you are facing someone like Sabathia or Verlander, it is very, very important to get them out of the game as quickly as you can. Relief pitchers (other than elite closers) are a hell of a lot easier to hit than good starters. When I'm facing some of Detroit's good pitchers, I try to be annoying as hell, working deep counts and fouling off pitches. Yeah, you may strike me out a lot, but I'll hopefully kill your bullpen in the 7th or 8th.

If I'm facing a bad starter, then I just take the first pitch the first time through.