Alright, listen up, y’all. Let’s talk about this here “hold” thing in that MLB The Show game. My grandkids, they keep yellin’ about it, so I figured, let’s get this straight once and for all. It ain’t rocket science, I tell ya.
So, first things first, what’s a hold anyway? Seems like a whole lotta fuss over nothin’, but them young’uns say it matters. It’s like this: you bring in your relief pitcher guy, right? And the other team ain’t too far behind on the score. We’re talkin’ a close game, maybe just a run or two ahead.
- Your pitcher comes in, and he gotta keep that lead.
- He can’t let the other team tie it up or go ahead. That’s the main thing.
- And he’s gotta get at least one fella out. One out, that’s the least he can do.
Now, some folks say three runs or less, that’s when you can get a hold. That sounds about right to me. If you’re up by more than that, well, it ain’t much of a “hold” situation, is it? It’s more like you’re just coastin’ to victory.
Another thing them kids talk about is the tying run bein’ “on deck” or somethin’. Means the next guy up could tie the game. So, if your pitcher comes in then and gets an out, that’s a hold too, even if you’re up by more than three. It’s all about keepin’ that lead safe and sound, see?
So, how do you get this hold in the game? Well, it ain’t just gonna happen by itself, that’s for sure. You gotta be smart about it. You gotta know when to bring in your relief pitcher.
Some folks say bring ‘em in the 6th inning, no matter what. That might work sometimes, but I reckon it depends on the game. You gotta watch the score, see how many fellas are on base, and how your starting pitcher is doin’. If he’s lookin’ tired, or if them other fellas are startin’ to hit the ball real good, then it’s time to make a change.
Now, don’t just go throwin’ any pitcher in there. You want someone who can handle the pressure. Someone who ain’t gonna walk a bunch of guys or give up a big home run. You gotta look at their stats, see how they’ve been doin’ lately. And don’t forget to warm ’em up good before you put ’em in, otherwise they might just get shelled.
Once your relief pitcher is in, you gotta play it smart. Don’t go throwin’ the same pitch over and over again, or them batters will figure you out. Mix it up, keep ‘em guessin’. And don’t be afraid to walk a guy if you gotta, especially if there’s already two outs. Just make sure you get that last out, that’s the important part.
And remember, even if your pitcher does everything right, sometimes the other team just gets lucky. They might hit a blooper that falls in for a hit, or maybe the umpire makes a bad call. That’s baseball, I tell ya. Can’t win ’em all. But if you follow these tips, you’ll be gettin’ those holds more often than not, and them young’uns will finally leave you alone.
So, to recap, getting a hold is all about bringin’ in your relief pitcher in a tight spot and keepin’ the lead. Three runs or less, or the tying run on deck, that’s when you gotta pay attention. Bring in the right pitcher, play it smart, and you’ll be rackin’ up those holds in no time. And don’t forget to warm ‘em up good! Nothin’ worse than a cold pitcher gettin’ lit up like a Christmas tree.
That’s about all there is to it. It ain’t so complicated once you get the hang of it. Now, go on and show them young’uns how it’s done. And if they start talkin’ about somethin’ else I don’t understand, well, I reckon I’ll just have to figure that out too!
One last thing. Them fancy video games, they try to make it seem all complicated, but it ain’t. It’s just baseball. Keep the other team from scorin’, get some outs, and you’ll be just fine. Don’t let them computer fellas confuse ya with all their fancy numbers and stats.
Now, if you’ll excuse me, I gotta go make some supper. All this talk about baseball has made me hungry. And maybe I’ll even watch a game later, see if I can spot one of them “holds” myself.
