MLB Showdown Cards

Split Decisions

                When working on our initial round of split cards I knew that I wanted two to be better vs LHP, two to be better vs RHP and one to be somewhat balanced. Chris Carter ended up being the balanced one. The question becomes how do you make two different chart balanced? Oh I forgot to mention in my rules last post that a batter had to be 2 OB numbers different in order to be made. Who wants an 8 vs LHP and 9 vs RHP? That isn’t the point of the card. So now a player had to have at least 2 OB different while being close to the same. What was our best option?

                Chris Carter hit 24 homers in 372 AB vs RHP (1 per 15.5), 10 homers in 135 AB vs LHP (1 per 13.5). He hit 14 doubles in 372 AB vs RHP (1 per 26.5) 7 doubles in 135 AV vs LHP (1 per 19.3). This makes Carter a bit better vs LHP than RHP but not by a ton. Add in his .350 OBP vs LHP and .291 vs RHP. This is about as close as we were going to find. The question now became was this an actual playable card.

                Starting with Carter’s original card we have a 6, speed C(10) 13-20 HR, 11-12 2B 1B+0 for 220 points. This is an interesting card for people looking to get a cheap power hitter at first base. Only the most extreme Power Players amongst our fans would be interested. We have found many people dislike low OB cards no matter how strong the chart is. Add Pujols and Belt to the equation and we found Carter to be easily selected. It actually would give first base another interesting option where he otherwise would have blended in.

                What we ended up making was

Chris Carter vs LHP	8	220	C(10)	1B+0	16-20	0	14-15	0	9-13	4-8	0	0	1-3
Chris Carter vs RHP	5	220	C(10)	1B+0	13-20	0	12	0	9-11	7-8	0	0	1-6

                What I like about this card is that there is a chart you really can’t get at first base with his 8, 16-20 HR for 220 points. What I also like is his 5, 13-20 HR is weak because it is a 5 but also is potent when he does get the advantage. Because we base the points more on the vs RHP side than the vs LHP side he is very cheap.

                I understand this card in small leagues or leagues that allow multiple years is going to not see a lot of play. Those leagues tend to have a higher than average control from pitchers. In large leagues or leagues with extra limitations he is going to be a very effective player in some games at a very cheap price. My only regret is I do wish we had pushed the 13-20 HR on his vs RHP side up to a 12-20 HR. It wouldn’t have been true to the stats but I do think it would have maybe given it the extra nudge it needed. All that being said I hope the people who are meant to like this card do like this card. This was a card that was made to bring tension to the game and I think he does a great job.