The Grapevine: MLB 2K9 and MLB 09: The Show

With the release of both MLB 2K9 and MLB 09: The Show, this week marks the start of the virtual baseball season. Look for GameSpot's full review of both games in the coming days but, for now, here's a select sampling of what people are saying in the forums about both games:

Provokt tells us about his first online game in MLB 09:

The game was insane. I guess you could say I had a little fun. I was down 5-2. Came back and tied it 5-5. Went up 8-5 and lost the lead in the bottom of the ninth when he tied it up with yet ANOTHER HR 8-8. Went up 10-8 in the top of the tenth with a Schumaker HR (sigh) then lost the lead again in the bottom of the 11th when...you guessed it...another HR. This one by Swisher (his 2nd). Top of the 12th I went up with a 3 run shot (ugh) 13-10 then he forfeited. Kinda lame as I was getting into it. We each had 17-19 hits for the game.

MLB 2K9 is growing on kaneNsharp:

At first I was disappointed in this years MLB for the fact that I was hitting 10 HRs a game and absolutely destroying the opponent. Sure the Glitches like the first baseman taking his foot off the bag for an easy out at first or the rare occasion the game play slows down so that my outfielder cant make the running catch but I get over that. But with the sliders called Guru 2.0 my game play has been a lot better with a more realistic experience which is what I was looking for in MLB 2k9. So if your are interested in purchasing this game I would say go for it, if your having any doubts you could always rent it.

Like many others, JHahN812 has seen the "first baseman bug" in MLB 2K9:

I get this a lot when I play, and it would appear as if I am making a good throw but a lot of times when I field a grounder and throw to first my first baseman will leave the bag and the runner will be safe. Anyone else having issues with this? Any ways to prevent it?

maddcow11 might have a solution for JHahN812's problems:

I've read that if you release the left stick while throwing it helps. I just played a game trying to do this and it didn't happen at all.

MLB 09's stadiums have impressed LeapPipeCinche:

some of these ballparks are just beautiful to look at.
im really having a hard time trying to pick 1 NL team i want to spend all that time doing a chise mode with for the long run. i dont want to get part way into a season and then start thinking about doing a chise as someone else. i dont want to start over again.

Kronikon16 is already adjusting sliders in MLB 2K9:

Now for the game play. I'll [say] this till I'm blue in face. Adjust your sliders people. I played around with it from inning to inning for the first half of 3 games, and once I found the right setting, I played a full game and was very happy. Some gamers will complain that it's too much work to figure out where to set them, but once you do, it's well worth it. My first full game was a classic 3-2 victory for my Braves over the Phillies. No homeruns aloud by either side, and pitching that would make any baseball sim fan happy.

trenken isn't happy with the batting in MLB 09:

I traded 08 in a month ago and I regret it. The batting in 09 is awful. It was much better in 08. I've played 10 games, no home runs, not more than 4 hits in a game, and only 5 hits over the last 3 games, and just 1 hit in the game I just played. That is not a realistic game of baseball at all.

Npo86 has some tips for MLB 2K9 pitching online:

First of all you must change speed...I cannot stress this enough!!!...you have to dictate the at bat with changes of speed...it may take an inning or so but you must figure out what your opponent is gearing up for...to do this throw a variety of pitches out of the strike zone. For instance, throw a curve low a fastball high and a changeup outsside close enough that he can make contact but too far to do anything...trust me these hitters can make contact as if everyone is freakin vlad....this will show you if he tends to think fast ball first or off speed first.

So, you've heard what other folks think. Let me know which baseball game you're playing and what you think of it in the comments below.