eld.gg MLB The Show 25 Stubs: Pitch Smarter, Not Harder
Winning Pitching Strategies for Ranked Seasons in MLB The Show 25Pitching is the foundation of success in MLB The Show 25 Ranked Seasons, and mastering the mound is what separates average players from MLB The Show 25 Stubs World Series-level competitors. With faster pitch speeds, smarter PCI tracking, and enhanced batter tendencies this year, pitchers who rely solely on velocity or predictable pitch sequences will get crushed by skilled hitters.
This guide breaks down the best pitching strategies, including pitch sequencing, stamina management, meta pitch types, pinpoint rules, and matchup tactics you need to dominate in Ranked Seasons. Whether you’re chasing 900 rating or pushing for top 50, these tips will elevate your performance immediately.
Understanding the Pitching Meta in MLB The Show 25
The MLB The Show 25 pitching meta rewards pitchers who:
Mix speeds effectively
Change eye level consistently
Prioritize out-of-zone enticement
Use tunneling to disguise pitches
Attack hitter weaknesses
Avoid throwing strikes in predictable counts
Value break and control over purely velocity
Velocity still matters, but movement and sequencing matter far more in this year's meta.
The top-ranked pitchers use combinations of outlier fastballs, sweeping sliders, running sinkers, and disappearing changeups to force weak contact rather than hunting only strikeouts.
1. Master Pitch Tunneling — The Most Important Skill in Ranked
Pitch tunneling means making multiple pitch types appear identical for as long as possible before they break away.
Effective Tunnel Combinations
Fastball up + Slider away
Sinker inside + Cutter outside
Changeup low + Fastball low
Curveball at top of zone + Sinker low
Players in higher divisions don't chase unless:
Your tunnel is convincing
Your previous pitch conditioned them
How to Use It In-Game
Throw a high fastball (early timing cue)
The next pitch: low changeup originating from the same arm slot
Batter prepares early → rolls over for easy groundout
Tunneling generates weak contact, reduces pitch counts, and keeps stamina strong into late innings.
2. Attack Hitters’ Cold Zones, Not Hot Zones
Spend the first inning collecting information:
Are they early or late on fastballs?
Do they chase offspeed in the dirt?
Where do they struggle with PCI placement?
Hot Zones = avoid
Cold Zones = exploit
Example:
If their cold zone is bottom left:
Drop sliders and changeups there
Occasional fastball away to keep honest
Finish strikeouts with curveballs under the zone
Even elite hitters struggle when you consistently attack weaknesses.
3. Understand the Pitching Count Meta
Pitch selection should change by count, not by habit.
Best Pitches by Count
0–0: High fastball, backdoor cutter, sinker running inside
1–1: Sweeping slider, changeup low, knuckle curve
0–2 / 1–2: Waste pitch — slider away, curve in dirt, high fastball out of zone
3–2: Your safest strike pitch (don’t overthink)
Rule of Thumb
Never throw a hittable strike on 0–2.
Never throw a breaking ball over the plate on 3–2 unless your guy has elite control.
4. Use Outlier Pitchers Correctly (Most Players Don’t)
Outlier is strong, but only if you avoid becoming predictable.
Right Way to Use Outlier
Use it high and above the zone
Pair with low sinkers
Mix in changeups to destabilize timing
Rarely throw center-zone outlier fastballs
Wrong Way (What Losers Do)
Spamming 102 fastballs in the zone
Throwing outlier fastballs on predictable counts
Not mixing eye levels
Even mid-rank players can turn on predictable outlier spam.
5. Prioritize Pitches With Horizontal Break in MLB The Show 25
The meta strongly favors:
Sinker
Cutter
Sweeping Slider
Slurve
Circle Change
Why?
Because they attack side-to-side PCI movement, which is harder for hitters than purely vertical movement.
If your pitcher doesn’t have at least two horizontal-moving pitches, they’re not meta for Ranked.
6. Control the Running Game on the Mound
Stolen bases are stronger this year, so controlling runners is part of pitching strategy.
Use Quick Pitching
Mix in quick pitch occasionally to disrupt timing.
Vary Looks
Step-offs
Holds
Pickoffs
Always throw at least one pick when someone reaches +80 speed. Reducing their lead reduces their scoring probability.
7. Manage Pitcher Stamina Like a Pro
Tired pitchers leave balls over the plate. MLB The Show 25 penalizes stamina more aggressively.
Rules for Stamina Management
Remove SP after 85–95 pitches depending on control loss
Don’t let relievers face three batters if their confidence is shaken
Warm up relievers early—even in the 4th inning if you're struggling
Know the “3 Batter Drop Rule”:
Once stamina dips past 50%, control worsens drastically over the next three batters. Don’t push past it unless it’s a blowout.
8. Build a Ranked Seasons Bullpen That Fits the Meta
A balanced bullpen is necessary for high-ranked play.
Must-Have Pitch Types
You need relievers with:
Sinker / cutter combos
Sweeping slider or strong side break
High K/9
95+ velocity
Ideal Bullpen Build
2 Outlier closers with high K/9
2 Sinker specialists
1 Sidearm reliever for awkward angles
2 Lefties with sweeping slider and circle change
Warm arms > high overalls.
9. Use Pinpoint Pitching for Maximum Accuracy
If you want to win consistently in Ranked, Pinpoint is mandatory.
Pinpoint Tips for Players Struggling
Give each pitch a unique mental tempo
Focus on the shape of the animation, not the lines
Turn vibration off
Practice with pitchers who have smoother motions (e.g., Gerrit Cole, Zac Gallen)
The more precise your inputs, the harder it is for opponents to guess your pitch location.
10. Mix Sequencing Every Time Through the Order
Once you face a batter more than once, reset the game plan.
First At-Bat
Test timings, throw bait pitches, gather info.
Second At-Bat
Use the opposite pattern:
If you started high → start low
If you used sliders → start with fastball
If you went outside → go inside
Third At-Bat
Use data from earlier:
Attack where they whiff most
Use timing windows you identified
Avoid every pitch you used during their last AB
Predictability loses games in Ranked. Unpredictability wins games.
Final Take: Pitch Smarter, Not Harder
Mastering pitching in MLB The Show 25 Ranked Seasons is all about control, sequencing, and deception—not raw velocity. When you learn to mix tunneling, exploit cold zones, change eye levels, and manage stamina, you’ll see your ERA drop and your ranking climb fast.
With the right Pitcher rotations and bullpen choices, you can shut down even top-tier hitters and MLB The Show 25 Stubs for sale dominate the competitive ladder.