MLB Showdown Cards

#ShotFriday Manager Cards

We had some repeat success for our #shotsfriday picks last week. @Roktikitiki got a second homer in as many weeks from Mark Trumbo to give them both 2 on the year. @Jamesmruffin also got a repeat blast from Carlos Beltran also giving him 2 on the year. Remember to send in your own pick for who you think will go deep this Friday. We accept predictions all week long so send them in at your own convenience. Also put comments below on what you think a fair reward would be for the winner of the #shotsfriday yearly contest. I am leaning toward allowing the winner to create their own custom card to add to the Showdown world. I would love to hear everyone’s thoughts.

We are continuing with our 4 part series on Manager Cards. You can look at last weeks to #ShotsFriday segment to see the first five and how we think they will be used could work in.  Feel free to leave your own suggestions on which manager (or coach) you may like to see added some day

Tony Larussa has had some odd habits over the course of his career. One of the more common odd moves was batting the NL pitcher 8^th and a position player 9^th. This card would be more valuable in a stud format. If you have a weak 9 hitter or a low OB but high speed guy you may consider doing that anyway. This will be useful in small ball line-ups which usually use some more cards to manufacture runs. I am wondering if he is too weak for the quality of manager. Maybe 2 extra cards? Love a comment or some people to play test him.

Bobby Valentine may not be the best manager in Red Sox history but he can teach, especially young players how to play defense. His world series Mets set a record for fewest errors. Drawing a card when you turn a double-play is a nice bonus especially in a stud format. The thing to remember is you need to draft a 1B+1. The rest of the position players should be easy enough to find. There is also a need for a big catcher arm so that people do not run out of double plays.

Cito Gaston has had some bombers up north of the border the last few years. Gaston may only draw you a few cards per game but they will be big momentum swings since you will have scored runs before you draw. This is obviously going to mean you want a lineup full of bombers. Even low OB home run hitters may prove to be more worthwhile. There could be a lot of + to swing cards here and maybe some tired cards. I always loved the Shell Shocked and Rattled cards to try and attack IP and get the controls down to help my lower in the order guys.

Dusty Baker has had a great history pumping his pinch hitter’s tires before AB’s. I like the idea of batters getting + to swings especially if you are bringing a quality DH off the bench. Also if you have low IP starters and only carry 4 quality relievers he will get some use. Pinch hitting pitcher for pitcher may be useful late in game. Don’t be shy about pinch hitting with one of your starters who isn’t starting. It will get you +1 and still leave you all your options open to you.

Joe Kerrigan offers two schools of thought. The first is you carry a catcher with a +10 or +11 who can throw through the difference. The other is you carry Joe Mauer 2012 or Scott Hatteburg 2001 who isn’t going to throw anyone out anyway so might as well add to the pitchers control afterward. There may also be a use for the Gun Em Down card which gives you a +5 (so net +2) and the chance to get a few +2 to the swing. The advantage here is if you can get the runner out then you get a free +2. If they get second then you pitcher gets a pump. With high K pitchers this may not be awful. I trust you all can be creative.

Twitterboard

@Roktikitiki:2

@Jamesmruffin:2

@Markrom3: 1

Playerboard

Mark Trumbo:2
Carlos Beltran:2

Justin Upton:1