I finally finished the Live Series collection! This is only the second time I have been able to accomplish this -- the only other being in The Show 17 and I didn't finish that one until late-August/September.

I got super lucky and pulled Mike Trout this year in the middle of April after beating the 2nd Inning Showdown (what a thrill that was for me!) and since then, I've been dead set on getting it done. I thought it would take me until mid-June at first but I put my flipping skills into overdrive the past few weeks, with the last week being especially crazy.

I want to say it was sometime last week (I want to say Wednesday or Thursday) that I bought Gerrit Cole (162K), then I flipped my way to 200K and bought Christian Yelich (39K) and Cody Bellinger (163K), last night I had enough to get Jacob deGrom (108K) so I pulled the trigger.

Today, I spent the entire day getting to 140K Stubs and finally had enough to get Nolan Arenado. I am so proud but I will say I may need to buy a new PS4 controller in the near future as my 'X' button has to be obliterated. My thumb hurts and I think I see the menus when I close my eyes (lmao!)

Anyway, this is going to get pushed down quickly so I'm not sure why I typed so much but I just have to share my experience with my MLB The Show-brethren.

Honestly, now that I'm done... I'll share my method but be warned, it's tedious, boring and you have to be patient sometimes.

Bronze cards are your moneymakers. Sure, you can buy Commons for the 5 or 6 quick-sell price and take advantage when they're selling for around 40-50 Stubs. I did that with a few cards and I mostly stuck to ones that I knew usually sold for more. The biggest thing though is, take advantage of having unlimited buy orders, that alone made flipping so much better for me.

The best advice I ever heard when it came to flipping sounds so simple but it helped me change my mindset, "all profit is good profit." Now, that doesn't mean buy a card for 45 Stubs and sell him at 50 Stubs, but making 40-50 Stubs on each card you flip adds up so quickly. The last two days, I focused on low-bronzes that I could put buy orders in around 25-30 Stubs and then I could sell them for 80-110 Stubs a piece. The more you flip, the more you realize there are certain teams that move much quicker, sell for more, and just have excellent profit margins, but on the flipside, there's teams you want to avoid like the plague! For example, the Angels are a waste of time and personally, I more often than not have been disappointed by Cubs and Cardinals players for whatever reason. Oh, and the Yankees! There isn't much Stubs to be made off the Yankees.

Aside from that, it's all about finding your rhythm. If you place a buy order and the profit margins are nice but by the time you actually get the card, the margins have dropped -- hold onto them! Chances are the price will be back to a healthy profit within the next 6-12 hours.

I hope this helps someone. Good luck guys!

Obviously, these are probably a pretty long way off from releasing (I'm thinking mid-July), I've been thinking about this the past few days and I think Team Affinity 3 should finally be the meaty content drop we've all been waiting for. I think there's a very good chance that Stage 4 will be each team's "Finest" card. This makes sense for a few reasons...

• It'll be releasing in the Fall, so in all likelihood late-September/early October, and that is usually the time of year SDS releases The Show's "Finest" series of cards.

• Last year, we got a "Finest" series card for each team. Instead of doing packs, I think it makes sense to tie these into Team Affinity.

So, with that said, what could we be getting in stage 3 of Team Affinity? I've got my fingers crossed that we'll get a high-90s (95-98?) Signature Series, Prime, or All-Star cards. If that's what it ends up being, we could see some really sweet cards that I think we've all been patiently waiting for.

I've made a mock-up list of who I think could be included if this is the direction they go in. I could be way off on a lot of these, and hopefully you'll chime in and let me know who we could see for your favorite team. I'm also hoping that the developers will maybe come across this thread and possibly give them some ideas of who we all want to see.

Without further ado, here's my guesses for each team:

• Baltimore Orioles
  Manny Machado - 96 OVR (2015 Prime All-Star)

• Boston Red Sox
  David Ortiz - 96 OVR (2006 Prime Silver Slugger Hardware)

• New York Yankees
  Mariano Rivera - 97 OVR (2005 Prime All-Star)

• Tampa Bay Rays
  David Price - 97 OVR (2012 Prime Cy Young Hardware)

• Toronto Blue Jays
  Josh Donaldson - 98 OVR (2015 Prime AL MVP Hardware)

• Chicago White Sox
  Mark Buehrle - 95 OVR (2005 Prime All-Star)

• Cleveland Indians
  Omar Vizquel - 96 OVR (1999 Prime Gold Glove Hardware)

• Detroit Tigers
  Jack Morris - 95 OVR (1986 Prime Impact Veteran)

• Kansas City Royals
  Zack Greinke - 97 OVR (2009 Prime Cy Young Hardware)

• Minnesota Twins
  Rod Carew - 97 OVR (1977 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Los Angeles Angels
  Vladimir Guerrero - 98 OVR (2004 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Oakland Athletics
  Jason Giambi - 97 OVR (2000 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Seattle Mariners
  Felix Hernandez - 96 OVR (2010 Prime Cy Young Hardware)

• Texas Rangers
  Michael Young - 96 OVR (2004 Prime All-Star)

• Houston Astros
  Mike Scott - 95 OVR (1986 Prime Cy Young Hardware)

• Atlanta Braves
  Andruw Jones - 97 OVR (2005 Prime All-Star)

• Miami Marlins
  Giancarlo Stanton - 97 OVR (2017 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Washington Nationals
  Bryce Harper - 96 OVR (2015 Prime MVP Hardware)

• New York Mets
  Al Leiter - 95 OVR (2000 Prime All-Star)

• Philadelphia Phillies
  Jimmy Rollins - 97 OVR (2007 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Chicago Cubs
  Bruce Sutter - 95 OVR (1979 Prime Cy Young Hardware)

• Cincinnati Reds
  George Foster - 97 OVR (1977 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Milwaukee Brewers
  Ryan Braun - 95 OVR (2011 Prime MVP Hardware)

• Pittsburgh Pirates
  Jason Kendall - 96 OVR (1998 Prime All-Star)

• St. Louis Cardinals
  Adam Wainwright - 96 OVR (2010 Prime All-Star)

• Arizona Diamondbacks
  Steve Finley - 96 OVR (1999 Prime Gold Glove Hardware)

• Colorado Rockies
  Dante Bichette - 95 OVR (1995 Prime All-Star)

• Los Angeles Dodgers
  Orel Hershiser - 97 OVR (1988 Prime Cy Young Hardware)

• San Diego Padres
  Ryan Klesko - 95 OVR (2001 Prime All-Star)

• San Francisco Giants
  Matt Williams - 96 OVR (1994 Prime Gold Glove Hardware)

If there was one thing definitely worth it for pre-ordering, it was this. It's so nice getting not only two stamps per day towards the free pack but also getting two cards. Yeah, I've never actually gotten anything this year but I'm sure I will get a few pretty decent cards because of this.

@tylerslikewhoa said in Of course, they finally give Ben Zobrist a high diamond and...:

So basically he is a free card. Sweet

This is a [censored] comment.

I feel you 100% on this!

So many teams with expensive/high Live Series diamonds and they give you a diamond that if it were on the market, would barely be above quick-sell value -- i.e. cards like Garret Anderson (Angels), Robin Roberts (Phillies), and Shane Victorino (Red Sox).

Out of all the cards you get for collecting the Live Series (I only need deGrom, Arenado, and Freeman it), the only cards I found remotely useful so far have been:

• Jason Giambi, 92 OVR (Yankees collection)
  This card rakes so hard. I was so excited to get the Roberto Alomar, but as it turns out... Giambi was the real gem. I had a game last night where I hit 2 HRs and a double with him and that felt like an average game for him. I don't know what it is with this card but everything just jumps off his bat. The only knock I have on this card is Giambi's lack of speed (29). I didn't think I would be replacing the FotF Matt Olson until a Prime/SS Frank Thomas was released but Giambi can even mash lefties, something I was a bit spotty doing with Olson.

• Cody Allen, 88 OVR (Indians collection)
  He's in my bullpen for now, but I can already tell it won't be long until I'll find someone to replace him. I like him a bit better than the Robb Nen but I may give Eric Gagne a try after I finish off the Live Series collection (only need deGrom, Freeman, and Arenado!). I wish he threw a little harder, I'd probably feel a bit better using him. But he'll be replaced as soon as I get Arenado back and lock him in to get that Adam Ottavino.

• Sean Doolittle, 88 OVR (Athletics collection)
  This card -- on the other hand -- is excellent! He's easy to control, has decent break, and a silky smooth delivery. The only problem is, I feel like I have too many left-handed relievers I like to use with Billy Wagner, Aroldis Chapman, Amir Garrett, Josh Hader, and now I also have this Dan Plesac card. I sold off Zack Britton because of this very problem, but even so, I still really like this Doolittle.

• Vladimir Guerrero, 91 OVR (Nationals collection)
  This was the first collection I targeted to get done, and while that was a good choice in hindsight considering I paid maybe 65K for Max Scherzer (he's now around 120-130K, this Vlad didn't stay on my team very long. I loved his arm strength and he hit a ton of doubles and got on base a lot, but the power just didn't play up for me. I hope we get a better Vlad soon as he's one of my favorite players of all-time and this was the first year I got to use a diamond card of his.

• Mark Prior, 86 OVR (Cubs collection)
  This is a very underrated card. I think this was the second or third collection I finished so Prior got some run in my rotation before I upgraded on him. He has a nasty slurve, which is always one of my favorite pitches, and was a strikeout machine for me. I don't know what it is about Cubs diamond pitchers, but I always do well with them (Jake Arrieta the last few years and Fergie Jenkins last year).

• Mike Piazza, 92 OVR (Dodgers collection)
  I just bought Bellinger and unlocked Piazza about an hour ago, and while I have yet to play with either of them, I am so excited to do so! Bellinger was easily my favorite card last year, I finished with something like 172 HRs with his Live Series card before I retired him. Piazza was also a card I really liked using. He was my end-game catcher (well, him and Finest Yasmani Grandal) and this version looks pretty good too. I unlocked Craig Biggio earlier this week and had been using him at catcher but I may move him to 2B or left field now and let Piazza take over for awhile.

• Other collection rewards I haven't used yet: Adam Ottavino (Rockies), Dan Plesac (Brewers), John Olerud (Mets), Ryan Klesko (Braves), Steve Finley (Padres), Luis Gonzalez (Dbacks), Walter Johnson (AL Central collection), Willie Stargell (NL Central), and Mike Schmidt (NL Eeast)

There are a few of the golds and lower diamonds I do like such as the White Sox Mark Buehrle (82 OVR), Rays Evan Longoria (85 OVR), Mariners Robinson Cano, Reds George Foster (85 OVR), and Cardinals Jason Istringhausen (85 OVR) but I have to say I feel pretty underwhelmed by cards like the AL East Roberto Alomar, NL East Mike Schmidt, AL Central Walter Johnson but I can safely say that the rewards of Mickey Mantle, Craig Biggio, Gary Sheffield, Billy Wagner, Willie Stargell, and the other cards I mentioned make it all worrth it.

...and now I just entered a game with Jordan Yamamoto trying to finish off a no-hitter against the St. Louis Cardinals.

Down to the very last hitter after Kolton Wong missed getting the first hit of the game by a mere inch or so after a really well-placed bunt. Tommy Edman takes to the plate and history can be made in this at-bat...

Edman drives a ball to the right wall but Tyler Naquin runs it down and history has been made! Jordan Yamamoto has thrown the Marlins' first no-hitter since Edinson Volquez did it against the Diamondbacks June 3rd, 2017.

Big, BIG fan of the Pirates Josh Bell. I've always loved Josh Bell's swing and it is even better this year. Don't even worry about his contact versus left-handed pitching, it doesn't even feel like it's that low in-game.

Also, a big fan of Fernando Tatis Jr. and Yoan Moncada. They were the first two I went after and they have lived up to that billing. I also am very intrigued by that Indians TA Carlos Santana; I have this plan on using Santana as a lefty-specialist in a platoon with the Show Classics Gary Sanchez.

So yeah, my choices are:

• 1.) Josh Bell
• 2.) Yoan Moncada
• 3.) Fernando Tatis Jr.
  Honorable Mention - Carlos Santana

@allmustfall16 said in What's your team look like? How are they performing?:

RF - 99 Reggie Jackson
CF - 99 Mickey Mantle
LF - 95 Mike Trout
3B - 99 Gary Sheffield
SS - 87 Francisco Lindor
2B - 91 Roberto Alomar
1B - 92 Jason Giambi
C - 99 Craig Biggio

Ace - 98 Hal Newhouser
Closer - 94 Billy Wagner

20-5 in ranked so far and 100 event wins

So far, so good. All the elite cards are performing as expected.

That is most definitely a "flexing on fools" lineup!

As "the other side" to this argument as a well below-averagely skilled player, I can say that going from All-Star to Hall of Fame is not fun in the slightest to me. I played an Event game today and at no point did I feel like I had any chance of winning despite the two of us going into extra innings with the score tied at 0-0. I think I put the ball in play a total of 3 or 4 times and ended up with one hit on the afternoon -- which ironically enough came in the very last inning after my opponent finally scored a run.

Obviously that result speaks to my ability but is that the game that SDS wants people to have? I've been playing The Show consistently since TS16 with my only extended break during The Show 18's life-cycle after like mid-June. I'm not an inept gamer as someone who used to frequent offline fighting game tournaments (and do well) and more often than not find myself breezing through games that are considered "difficult" by the general gaming audience (Dark Souls, Nioh, The Surge, Dead Cells, etc.) so it is puzzling why my abilities have never translated to The Show. I have no personal point to make as I've already settled in as someone who knows that I likely won't ever be competing at very high level at this game but I would like to know, is that how SDS wants the game to feel and play at the Hall of Fame difficulty level? Because if not, they have a lot of work to do.

Ya know, everybody will hate me for saying this but I think he should have a card in the game. Every time we bring this topic up, immediately it's brought up that he's an awful person. I just want to celebrate the player, which he was a phenomenal one. We don't have to agree with everything the man did in his life to enjoy one of those best young pitchers of the last 30 years. Unfortunately, he was young, rich, and had a temper. Anyone that knew him, speaks to how good of a person he was and could be.

The man made the ultimate mistake but that doesn't mean we shouldn't be able to celebrate our love for him as a player.

Just my opinion on this.

@eatyum said in Nick Lodolo or Brusdar Graterol?:

Lodolo, he is one of the few starters I trust throwing out there at any given time. Not really a fan of Graterol, sure the outlier is appealing, but for whatever reason he just doesn't do well

I've seen that. Like I said in my previous post, I went against Graterol twice in Ranked Seasons and both times, he didn't make it past the fourth inning.

I'm up 3-0 in the World Series against the Rays in my Marlins M2O, and I'm either going to do a Dodgers one or a Reds one next. I'd say they are both fun teams to use and the rewards being the FS Lodolo for the Reds and the FS Graterol for the Dodgers makes them even more appealing.

One thing that scares me a bit about Graterol is that I've faced him twice online and both times I lit him up pretty good. His hard stuff wasn't very deceptive and I found it pretty easy to hit -- but this was on All-Star difficulty. The thing is though, Graterol is the type I usually kill it with.

Then there's Lodolo. He would give me another lefty in my rotation, which at the moment I'm using only one. I love his delivery and his control looks nice. I'll get both eventually but the latter of the two won't be unlocked for some time with some of my focus on the 4th Inning as well.

My rotation will look like this:

Ace Corey Kluber [99]
SP2 Felix Hernandez [96]
SP3 Blake Snell [95]
SP4 Nick Lodolo [95] or Brusdar Graterol [93]
SP5 Max Scherzer [92] / Dane Dunning [91]

You have one spot in your rotation and these are your two options to fill it...

Who does it go to?

@TotesMuhGotes said in I started a Marlins M2O today and I swear, it's been so fun almost every game!:

Marlins MTO has been my favorite I have done so far in the seven MTOs I've completed. We traded for Kyle Tucker, Jorge Soler, and ended up getting JT Realmuto back in Miami for Sixto Sanchez. What a trade!

That's crazy, I had multiple opportunities to get J.T. Realmuto back too but I thought that was too far from reality; plus, Jorge Alfaro was like 5th in WAR for hitters so how could I replace him?

Ultimately, our final trade before the Trade Deadline was for Cardinals reliever Andrew Miller. He has been tremendous for us in the late season push and now into the playoffs.

Out of all the players I listed, the ones I want the most are (in this order):

• Dwight "Doc" Gooden
• Roy Halladay
• Jim Thome
• A.J. Pierzynski
• Jose Fernandez (I know it'll never happen)
• Pedro Martinez
• Randy Johnson
• Andres Gallaragga
• Carlton Fisk
• Dontrelle Willis
• Barry Zito
• Prince Fielder
• Ben Sheets
• Ken Caminiti

@Bob_Loblaw1984 said in Show Nation, I need your help...:

Both are great, but I’d be in a hurry to move Chipper off SS.

You'd think that but so far I have yet to be burned by him defensively. I don't know what it is about my pitching but I don't get a lot of "tough plays" to shortstop. I have had a few close plays where he barely had enough arm strength to make the throw. I just really love this Chipper card.

That said, it does bug me seeing the "secondary position" banner so there is that.

Whenever I need a hit online, Giambi is always the guy. I swear, there is something about that card that just clicks with me more than any other this year.

I think it's because of the free Conquest packs in the 4th Inning maps but I could be wrong. I'm not even sure how many it gives out or whatever, so I could be way off.

I really don't think I'll take out Amir Garrett or Dennis Eckersley out of my bullpen the entire year.

...and up until I unlocked Mantle/Sheffield, my answer would've been Yoan Moncada.