Reading Hitters and Adapting Mid-Game
The most successful pitchers aren’t just executing their game plan — they’re adapting to the hitter’s approach. MLB The Show 25 simulates batter tendencies with incredible accuracy, rewarding pitchers who can read the situation.
Watch Swing Timing: The swing feedback shows “Early,” “Late,” or “Good.” If a hitter is consistently early, start mixing in MLB The Show 25 Stubs slower pitches. If they’re late, pepper them with fastballs.
Note Aggressiveness: Some batters swing at everything; others wait for mistakes. Against aggressive hitters, throw breaking pitches just outside the zone. Against patient hitters, sneak in strikes early in the count.
Study Hot and Cold Zones: Every batter has strengths and weaknesses. The pre-pitch display shows these zones — red for strong, blue for weak. Attack the blue areas relentlessly.
Pro Tip: Use a few “waste pitches” — intentional balls that look tempting but drift out of the zone. It’s an old-school trick that still works wonders in MLB The Show 25.
Situational Pitching – When Strategy Matters Most
Pitch selection should also depend on the situation. A smart pitcher tailors their approach based on count, runners, and game state.
Ahead in the Count (0–2, 1–2): Don’t give in. Expand the zone with breaking balls or off-speed pitches just outside the strike zone.
Behind in the Count (2–0, 3–1): Go to your most reliable strike pitch, usually a fastball or sinker. Avoid hanging breaking balls — those get crushed.
Double Play Situations: Use pitches with downward movement like sinkers or changeups low in the zone to induce ground balls.
Late-Game Pressure: When fatigue sets in, simplify your approach. Stick to your two best pitches and cheap MLB Stubs focus on precision over power.