How to prepare for MLB The Show 26 Legends & Flashbacks Collection launch this Friday to unlock the ultimate rewards?

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• MLB The Show 26 April Spotlight Drop 3 Program | Don't miss these high OVR players before the May deadline!

  Among all the programs in MLB The Show 26, April Spotlight Drops are known for their rapid update cycle; on average, a new round is released every week throughout April. Consequently, it is all too easy to miss out on rewards if you aren't paying close attention.

  Currently available is April Spotlight Drop 3, which went live on April 17th. It is expected to be replaced by Drop 4 in about a week, or potentially superseded entirely by the launch of the May events.

  However, the rewards within April Spotlight Drop 3 include a number of high-OVR player cards. If you are looking to further bolster your Diamond Dynasty squad, this is an opportunity you absolutely cannot afford to miss!

  To assist you, we have put together a comprehensive guide on how to complete April Spotlight Drop 3 program.

  

  Earning Program XP

  The core mechanic behind almost every MLB 26 program involves earning XP by fulfilling specific program requirements; once your XP total reaches certain thresholds, you automatically unlock the corresponding rewards.

  Given the extremely limited timeframe, April Spotlight Drop 3 features a concise set of just five rewards, with the highest tier requiring you to earn a mere 50 XP. Furthermore, there are multiple avenues available for earning these rewards, not just by completing missions.

  Available missions

  While you have a variety of options in April Spotlight Drop 3, you may still find yourself gravitating toward prioritizing missions. This program offers four missions to choose from; their requirements and corresponding XP rewards are as follows:

  • Earn 3,000 Parallel XP in any game mode - 15 Program XP
  • Earn 1,000 Parallel XP using players from Spotlight and/or Topps Now series - 15 Program XP
  • Hit 15 Home Runs using any player - 10 Program XP
  • Record 15 Strikeouts using any Relief Pitcher or Closer - 10 Program XP

  Completing Specific Moments

  Moments is a gameplay feature found within both Diamond Dynasty and Storylines modes. It allows you to relive iconic highlights from baseball history by playing through short, objective-driven game scenarios.

  In April Spotlight Drop 3, there are eight Moments available that provide XP; the first seven of these each award 4 XP:

  • Debut Dagger
  • Marsee in Motion
  • Guardians Angel
  • Springs Shutdown
  • Sheets Ends It
  • Duran's Door Slam
  • Will Power
  • OPTIONAL EXTREME: Three of a Kind

  The final moment listed above is a high-difficulty challenge added specifically for April Spotlight Drop 3. It requires you to hit three home runs using Max Muncy on All-Star difficulty; successfully completing this challenge instantly grants you 22 XP!

  Complete Specific Collections

  Most MLB '26 player cards belong to a specific Series, and typically, completing the collection of every player within an entire Series yields additional rewards.

  If you wish to earn April Spotlight Drop 3 XP through this method, the available Series collections include:

  • Collect all Spotlight Pack Players from April Spotlight Drop 3 Pack - 35 Program XP
  • Collect all Topps Now Series Players from April Spotlight Drop 3 Pack - 15 Program XP

  It is worth noting that these two collections are optional content, and the associated player cards cannot be sold on the marketplace.

  Furthermore, if you manage to obtain all the rewards from April Spotlight Drop programs, specifically by completing the collections for April Spotlight Program Players and April Spotlight Pack Players, you will unlock additional rewards in May:

  • April Lightning player (coming May 5)
  • April Retro Lightning player (coming May 5)

  If you have already completed these collections, they will each yield an additional 1 Program XP. Obviously, however, this is not their primary usage.

  April Spotlight Drop 3 rewards overview

  All rewards within April Spotlight Drop 3 include one April Spotlight Week 3 Pack, 2,500 Game XP, and three individual player cards: Juan Brito, Gavin Sheets, and Jhoan Duran. Their respective values and the amount of XP required to unlock them are as follows:

  • 10 XP - Juan Brito Player
  • 20 XP - Gavin Sheets Player
  • 30 XP - 2,500 Game XP
  • 40 XP - April Spotlight Week 3 Pack
  • 50 XP - Jhoan Duran Player

  The players you may obtain upon opening April Spotlight Week 3 Pack include:

  • OVR 89 Ronny Mauricio (3B, New York Mets)
  • OVR 89 Jeffrey Springs (SP, Athletics)
  • OVR 89 Jakob Marsee (CF, Miami Marlins)
  • OVR 91 Willson Contreras (1B, Boston Red Sox)
  • OVR 91 Angel Martinez (LF, Cleveland Guardians)

  If you are in need of a reliable right-handed batter, Willson Contreras is your best option. However, if you are simply looking for a versatile player, Ronny Mauricio, who boasts solid defensive skills and is a switch-hitter, is a worthy addition to your roster.

  Optimal XP Farming Strategies

  Generally speaking, we highly recommend prioritizing missions that offer higher XP rewards. However, if those missions prove too difficult for you, such as the newly added Special Moments, then opting for standard missions is a safer and more reliable approach.

  In fact, you can unlock all five rewards by completing just four missions. If you have already completed other moments or collections, simply choose the missions you are most proficient at.

  To ensure you don't fall behind on future program progress, you should aim to complete all currently active programs, especially the short-term ones, as early as possible. If you haven't started yet, it's best to pick up the pace!

  ---

  If none of these reward player cards or packs meet your specific roster upgrade needs, you can choose to buy MLB 26 stubs from IGGM. Because this special in-game currency can be redeemed for additional packs, thereby expanding your range of available choices!

• MLB The Show 26 Jackie Robinson Day Players Tier List | A few low‑overall surprises outshine the rest

  This year's Jackie Robinson Day in MLB The Show 26 brings an unprecedented wave of new content, including multiple Storylines cards, several Rookie of the Year cards, a brand-new Collection Reward, and a number of Pack guys.

  Even without using any Stubs to acquire new players, you'll be able to get plenty of free ones. But for Diamond Dynasty, the real question is: do these new cards actually improve your squad? Which ones are worth using? Let's take a closer look.

  

  D Tier

  • 88 OVR Luis Gil: A four-pitch pitcher who underperforms. He can just barely handle CPU opponents, but not recommended for use against human players.
  • 88 OVR Smokey Joe: Similar to Luis Gil. Good velocity but lacks pitch mix; poor overall utility.
  • 88 OVR Dontrelle Willis: Poor control, fastball only 92 mph, and an unimpressive pitch arsenal.
  • 89 OVR Bill Foster: Even slower than Dontrelle Willis, with mediocre control.
  • 88 OVR Jackie Robinson: A giveaway card. Mediocre power potential, not much value.
  • 90 OVR Willie Mays: Hitting stats are average, 86 speed, overall rating propped up mainly by defensive reaction.

  Tier C

  • 88 OVR Michael Fulmer: Good pitch mix, but poor per-nine stats.
  • 88 OVR Leroy Matlock: Most stats on this card are weak, though he has some extra-base ability. Can be used in casual games.
  • 88 OVR Ray Dandridge: Solid defense, consistent contact but no power, not suited as a core hitter.
  • 89 OVR Toni Stone: A contact-oriented second baseman, but severely lacking in power.
  • 89 OVR Judy Johnson: High contact, no power, defense and speed unremarkable. Barely serviceable.
  • 89 OVR Monte Irvin: Can play many positions, but neither offense nor defense stands out. Not effective.
  • 89 OVR Leon Day: Has five pitches, but overall pitching stats are mediocre.
  • 90 OVR Bullet Rogan: Poor per-nine stats, max fastball only 94 mph, pitch metrics average. Contact is decent but power is low.
  • 89 OVR Rap Dixon: Swing is okay, but hitting and defensive numbers are unimpressive.
  • 90 OVR David Justice: Very strong against lefties, but defense and consistency are too poor for a long-term starter.

  Tier B

  • 88 OVR Drake Baldwin: This card is mostly average, but players will use him as a full-time starter rather than platooning, so his ability to hit lefties is a plus. Power numbers aren't the worst, but not good enough either.
  • 88 OVR Andy Cooper: Andy Cooper has five pitches and a nice mix: 4-seam fastball, slurve, screwball, changeup, and sinker. This allows for some variety on the mound, so overall he's usable.
  • 89 OVR Larry Doby: Larry Doby is excellent as a second-base platoon player. He has a good swing and useful quirks. Good stats against righties, but weak against lefties.
  • 89 OVR Oscar Charleston: His swing has always been solid. The rest of his stats aren't the worst, he has some power, and his speed is decent.
  • 90 OVR Hank Thompson: Overall power and contact are not as good as Oscar Charleston's, but like Charleston, he's a left-handed power-type batter.
  • 90 OVR Scott Rolen: His contact and power numbers are decent, but his swing is somewhat poor; otherwise he'd be in A Tier.

  Tier A

  88 OVR Willard Brown

  Low contact, high power, with acceptable speed and defense. Can perform at All-Star or even Hall of Fame difficulty, especially suited for lower-difficulty players.

  89 OVR Ryan Howard

  Excellent as a pinch hitter off the bench. Very good against righties with great power, but struggles significantly against lefties and in low-Vision situations.

  90 OVR Biz Mackey

  Biz Mackey is a switch-hitting catcher with elite defensive stats across the board. All his defensive attributes are around 90, with 93 arm strength, making him the best defensive catcher in the current game meta. His hitting stats aren't bad either.

  90 OVR Corbin Carroll

  Corbin Carroll has maxed-out speed, high contact, and can hit righties. His home-run power is weaker in lefty-on-lefty matchups, but that's not what he's used for.

  92 OVR Carlos Beltran

  Carlos Beltran is a switch-hitting center fielder. His contact numbers are decent, power is a bit low (63 vs RHP), speed reaches 80, making him better suited for a corner outfield spot.

  

  Tier S

  90 OVR Kris Bryant

  Kris Bryant has 91/77 contact, but high clutch makes up for it. His power vs both sides is around 80, with excellent defense and reaction, and he can play multiple positions. He has quirks like First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, and Breaking Ball Hitter, and with his excellent hitting attributes, he performs well on All-Star or Hall of Fame difficulty.

  91 OVR John Donaldson

  He doesn't have Outlier Slider or Outlier Fastball, but his 101 mph fastball paired with an 80 mph forkball creates a massive speed differential, making him one of the most effective strikeout pitchers in the current meta.

  94 OVR Jackie Robinson

  Jackie Robinson is clearly S Tier. His attributes are strong across the board, and after parallel upgrades he reaches 105/106 contact, 81/80 power, combined with speed and defense. He can play second base or even shortstop. He also has two core quirks—Dead Red and Breaking Ball Hitter—that make his swing even more effective. Compared to previous years, this may be one of the best Jackie Robinson cards ever.

  This Jackie Robinson Day is the most content-rich in MLB The Show series history. You should prioritize completing Storylines missions to unlock Jackie Robinson Collection Reward card. For players who just want to quickly finish the event program, focus on using the higher-rated Storylines players, while D and C Tier cards can simply serve as filler for missions.

• MLB The Show 26 Jackie Robinson Day Program Reward and Collection Guide | Lazy gamer's route to 25 free cards and the final reward

  It's April 15 again, and MLB The Show 26 has released Jackie Robinson Day Program to honor the legendary Black players who shaped baseball history.

  This might be the largest Jackie Robinson Day event in the history of MLB The Show's content updates. Along with a new program and feature pack, the game adds dozens of brand-new player cards at once. By completing the collection mission, you can also earn a 94 OVR Jackie Robinson—one of the strongest cards available right now.

  

  Jackie Robinson Day Program Reward

  • 5 Points: 88 OVR Negro Leagues Jackie Robinson & 1,000 XP
  • 10 Points: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 15 Points: 250 Stubs
  • 20 Points: 88 OVR Awards Dontrelle Willis
  • 25 Points: 1,000 XP
  • 30 Points: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 35 Points: 89 OVR Negro Leagues Buck Leonard
  • 40 Points: 250 Stubs
  • 42 Points: 2,042 XP
  • 50 Points: 89 OVR Negro Leagues Monte Irvin
  • 55 Points: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 60 Points: 2,000 XP
  • 65 Points: 90 OVR Awards Kris Bryant
  • 70 Points: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 75 Points: 2,000 XP
  • 80 Points: 90 OVR Negro Leagues Hank Thompson
  • 85 Points: MLB The Show 26 pack (x2)
  • 90 Points: 2,000 XP
  • 95 Points: Jackie Robinson Day Deluxe Pack
  • 100 Points: 91 OVR Negro Leagues Henry Aaron

  This year, three collection missions have been released:

  • 91 OVR Satchel Paige: 24 Cards
  • 92 OVR Carlos Beltrán: 35 Cards
  • 94 OVR Jackie Robinson: 42 Cards

  Although many cards are needed, the good news is that Jackie Robinson Day Program rewards already include several cards and some packs. If you aim to complete 94 OVR Jackie Robinson collection, you'll want to collect all the rewards from this program.

  

  How to Make Progress?

  Beyond completing one Moment (worth 10 points) and finishing Jackie Robinson Day Showdown (worth 20 points), there are also Missions and Collection tasks. The total points available exceed 100, so you can pick the easier ones to focus on first.

  Missions

  • Steal 5 bases with any player (10 points)
  • Hit 12 home runs with any player (10 points)
  • Earn 34 total bases with any player (10 points)
  • Pitch 11 innings with any pitcher (10 points)
  • Earn 7,000 PXP with any player (10 points)
  • Earn 42 PXP with 88 OVR Jackie Robinson (20 points)
  • Record 42 at-bats with any player (10 points)
  • Earn 4,242 PXP with Negro Leagues, Awards, or Rookie Series players (10 points)

  BONUS Storylines Collections (35 points)

  Collect the following players from The Negro Leagues series:

  • 85 OVR Mule Suttles
  • 89 OVR Judy Johnson
  • 85 OVR Pop Lloyd
  • 85 OVR Roy Campanella
  • 88 OVR Ray Dandridge
  • 88 OVR Smokey Joe Williams
  • 88 OVR Willard Brown

  How to Complete the Collection Task?

  Conquest

  This Conquest map is relatively small, requiring you to take over only three team strongholds. Upon completion, you'll earn 3 free cards. It's a good idea to work on the program's Missions while playing Conquest games.

  Jackie Robinson Day Showdown

  Jackie Robinson Day Showdown not only gives you 20 program points but also directly rewards you with 5 cards along the way.

  Jackie Robinson Day Event Program

  90 OVR Biz Mackey from this event's reward path is an excellent switch-hitting catcher with balanced attributes, great arm strength for throwing out runners, and a very quick pop time. The final reward of this program also includes a Deluxe Pack.

  Storylines

  Completing Jackie Robinson Storyline rewards you with 7 cards. A headsup: Storyline is quite long, and some cutscenes cannot be skipped, making the process a bit tedious. However, in terms of saving your MLB The Show 26 stubs, it's very much worth the effort.

  By finishing Showdown (5 cards), Conquest (3 cards), Storylines (7 cards), and Program rewards (8 cards), you will have obtained 23 cards at no cost. If you also count the cards you're guaranteed to get from Deluxe Pack, the total number of free cards reaches 25.

  After completing all the free content above, you'll have a solid start on the collection progress. At that point, head to Flashbacks and Legends collection menu. For the remaining slots, you'll need to turn to the market.

  Assuming you use none of the free cards and pull none from packs, gathering all the required cards would take about 233,000 stubs. But that's not the final figure. Since you actually need 40 cards and have already obtained 25, you can choose to skip some cards that are too costly.

  Here are two cards worth skipping:

  • 91 OVR John Donaldson: currently around 70,000 stubs on the market.
  • 91 OVR Jacob deGrom: currently around 45,000 stubs on the market.

  After skipping those two expensive cards, you only need to get the remaining 15 ordinary cards. Each of these cards typically goes for between 5,000 and 7,000 stubs. Therefore, the actual stubs required to complete the collection comes out to about 110,000 stubs.

  The value of this Jackie Robinson Day event is outstanding. As long as you carefully plan how to use your stubs, you'll be able to finish the final collection mission and strengthen your lineup with these players.

• MLB The Show 26 Multiplayer Program 2 is live with 500K+ value rewards | How to earn them fast?

  As a core component of MLB The Show 26, all programs can be broadly categorized into long-term, seasonal, and special event types, a classification designed to help you effectively plan your strategy for earning rewards.

  Building on this framework, Multiplayer Program, one of the game's seasonal offerings, received its very first update just yesterday!

  Multiplayer Program 1, which launched alongside MLB The Show 26, has now concluded; you can now begin working toward earning the rewards offered in Multiplayer Program 2!

  In this guide, we will walk you through the missions and rewards featured in Multiplayer Program 2, helping you determine whether it is worth your time and outlining the most effective strategies for playing through it.

  

  Multiplayer Program 2 duration

  This program went live on April 14th. While an exact end date has not yet been confirmed, it is expected to follow the same monthly cycle as Multiplayer Program 1, concluding in mid-May, at which point the third installment in the series will probably launch to take its place.

  How to complete this program?

  Multiplayer Program 2 consists of 18 specific missions, each tied directly to the game's Multiplayer modes, hence the name of this program series.

  Multiplayer experience centers around Diamond Dynasty, with specific sub-categories including Ranked Seasons (1v1, 2v2, 3v3), Battle Royale, Events, and more.

  The 18 missions require you to complete specific objectives while playing through these various modes.

  Upon completing each mission, you will earn a designated amount of XP; as your total XP accumulates and reaches new thresholds, you will unlock the corresponding rewards.

  Below is a complete list of all missions included in Multiplayer Program 2. To avoid unnecessary frustration, it is highly recommended that you complete them sequentially, one by one.

  • Capture 50 bases in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Capture 100 bases in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Capture 200 bases in any Multiplayer mode - 10K XP
  • Capture 400 bases in any Multiplayer mode - 15K XP
  • Record 10 strikeouts in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Record 25 strikeouts in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Record 50 strikeouts in any Multiplayer mode - 10K XP
  • Record 100 strikeouts in any Multiplayer mode - 15K XP
  • Hit 5 home runs in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Hit 15 home runs in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Hit 26 home runs in any Multiplayer mode - 10K XP
  • Earn 15,000 PXP in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Earn 30,000 PXP in any Multiplayer mode - 5K XP
  • Earn 50,000 PXP in any Multiplayer mode - 10K XP
  • Earn 70,000 PXP in any Multiplayer mode - 20K XP
  • Capture bases 15 times in Battle Royale - 5K XP
  • Record 5 extra-base hits in Battle Royale - 5K XP
  • Record 5 wins in a single Battle Royale run - 10K XP

  All Multiplayer Program 2 rewards

  This program features a total of 25 rewards, comprising various types such as stubs, card packs, specific player cards, and in-game XP.

  Among these, MLB 26 stubs as the most versatile reward, the total number is 8.2K. You must earn at least 23 of the available rewards to collect the full amount.

  Below is a list of all rewards and the program XP required to unlock them (listed in ascending order):

  • 5,000 XP - World Baseball Classic Gold Player
  • 10,000 XP - Craig Kimbrel
  • 15,000 XP - The Show Pack x5
  • 20,000 XP - Headliners Pack - Random
  • 25,000 XP - 1,500 Stubs
  • 30,000 XP - Deluxe Pack
  • 35,000 XP - Gerrit Cole
  • 40,000 XP - The Show Pack x5
  • 45,000 XP - 1,500 Stubs
  • 50,000 XP - Item Ivy
  • 55,000 XP - Deluxe Pack (Random)
  • 60,000 XP - Eddie Murray
  • 65,000 XP - Ballin' is a Habit Pack
  • 70,000 XP - 20,000 XP
  • 75,000 XP - The Show Pack x5
  • 80,000 XP - Deluxe Pack (Random)
  • 85,000 XP - Jose Altuve
  • 90,000 XP - Ballin' is a Habit Pack
  • 95,000 XP - 2,500 Stubs
  • 100,000 XP - 20,000 XP
  • 110,000 XP - Premier Pack (Random)
  • 120,000 XP - Anthony Santander
  • 130,000 XP - 3,000 Stubs
  • 140,000 XP - 20,000 XP
  • 150,000 XP - The Show Pack x50

  Combined, all the above rewards are worth at least 501.7K in MLB The Show 26; to unlock them all, you will need to earn 90K Program XP within a single month!

  Reward value analysis

  XP and stub rewards require no further explanation. As for the card packs, since the cards obtained from them are randomized, it is difficult to conduct an in-depth analysis; therefore, our evaluation will focus primarily on the specific player card rewards.

  All rewards within Multiplayer Program 2 include five player cards: All-Star Craig Kimbrel, Gerrit Cole, and Eddie Murray; Postseason José Altuve; and Awards Anthony Santander.

  Since these rewards are tied to specific XP requirements, meaning you can earn them simply by putting in the effort to play the game, there is absolutely no reason to miss out!

  Furthermore, the card lineup is well-balanced, featuring a mix of elite pitchers and reliable power hitters; this allows you greater flexibility to optimize and enhance your existing roster by adding these players.

  Moreover, as you work toward earning these rewards, you will naturally become more familiar with the gameplay mechanics of all multiplayer modes, an experience that will prove invaluable when you participate in future related programs.

  That wraps up all the information regarding Multiplayer Program 2. Keep in mind that other programs are likely running concurrently within MLB 26, so be sure not to overlook those either!

• MLB The Show 26 2nd Inning Program Guide | How to get half a million XP in time?

  MLB The Show 26 moves into 2nd Inning, and with it comes a fresh Legend: Victor Martinez. At the same time, 2nd Inning Program went live on April 10, loaded with a wealth of unlockable content.

  2nd Inning Program runs for roughly one month, wrapping up on May 8. You'll need to accumulate 500,000 XP before it concludes in order to claim the full slate of rewards.

  

  2nd Inning Program Reward Path

  • 3,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 7,500 XP: World Baseball Classic Gold Pack
  • 12,500 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 17,500 XP: 500 Stubs
  • 22,500 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 30,000 XP: 500 Stubs
  • 37,500 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 45,000 XP: World Baseball Classic Gold Pack
  • 55,000 XP: Deluxe WBC Pack
  • 62,500 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 70,000 XP: Ballin' is a Habit Pack
  • 77,500 XP: 750 Stubs
  • 85,000 XP: World Baseball Classic Gold Pack
  • 92,500 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 100,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 110,000 XP: World Baseball Classic Gold Pack
  • 120,000 XP: 750 Stubs
  • 130,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 140,000 XP: 91 OVR 2nd Half Rick Ferrell
  • 155,000 XP: 750 Stubs
  • 175,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 195,000 XP: Headliners Pack 3
  • 215,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 235,000 XP: 1,000 Stubs
  • 255,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 275,000 XP: 92 OVR Standout Bobby Doerr
  • 295,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 315,000 XP: Ballin' is a Habit Pack
  • 335,000 XP: World Baseball Classic Premier Pack
  • 355,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 400,000 XP: 1,500 Stubs
  • 425,000 XP: Deluxe New Threads Pack
  • 450,000 XP: MLB The Show 26 pack
  • 475,000 XP: 2,000 Stubs
  • 500,000 XP: 2nd Inning Boss Choice Pack

  Among 2nd Inning Program rewards, you'll also snag two mini-bosses at no extra cost beyond the XP grind - 92 OVR Bobby Doerr and 91 OVR Rick Ferrell - alongside the usual assortment of packs and MLB The Show 26 stubs.

  When you reach the final Boss Choice Pack, you'll pick one of two featured Bosses. While the total number of cards on offer isn't as hefty as last Inning, the new Legend addition is still one to keep an eye on.

  How to Make Progress?

  2nd Inning Program is a marathon, not a sprint. There's no secret shortcut to racking up XP instantly. Generally speaking, staying active across different game modes will keep the XP flowing. On top of that, there are specific tasks that grant bonus XP:

  • Tally 500 PXP using Cornerstone series players (2,500 XP)
  • Secure 20 wins in Conquest Mode on any difficulty (3,500 XP)
  • Record 50 total bases in Weekend Classic and/or Solo/Co-op Ranked play (5,000 XP)
  • Launch 15 home runs across any mode on any difficulty (5,000 XP)
  • Strike out 50 batters on any difficulty (5,000 XP)

  2nd Inning Program Player Cards

  Let's take a look at the four players you'll encounter in the 2nd Inning Program.

  91 OVR 2nd Half Rick Ferrell

  • Contact Right: 109
  • Contact Left: 85
  • Power Right: 66
  • Power Left: 46
  • Vision: 112
  • Discipline: 101
  • Clutch: 100
  • Bunt: 74
  • Drag Bunt: 70
  • Durability: 87

  Plenty of baseball fans might not recognize the name Rick Ferrell. He was active back in the 1930s, an era where power wasn't exactly the calling card of anyone not named Babe Ruth or Joe DiMaggio, and that reality is reflected right here in his attributes.

  Power concerns aside, the rest of the card holds up nicely. He's a right-handed hitter with an absolute cannon behind the plate, giving him serious ability to shut down would-be base stealers. His swing motion remains a mystery, but there's definitely some value to be found in this one.

  92 OVR Standout Bobby Doerr

  • Contact Right: 101
  • Contact Left: 85
  • Power Right: 65
  • Power Left: 80
  • Vision: 101
  • Discipline: 83
  • Clutch: 102
  • Bunt: 76
  • Drag Bunt: 73
  • Durability: 92

  Bobby Doerr's primary home is at second base, where his defensive ratings are quite solid. He can also hold his own at shortstop or even step over to first base without looking out of place. The only real question mark here - again, owing to how long ago he played - is the quality of his swing animation.

  92 OVR Contributor Babe Ruth

  • Contact Right: 95
  • Contact Left: 90
  • Power Right: 90
  • Power Left: 101
  • Vision: 70
  • Discipline: 114
  • Clutch: 95
  • Bunt: 66
  • Drag Bunt: 61
  • Durability: 83

  One notable perk with this Babe Ruth is his secondary position at first base. That flexibility matters because his defensive metrics aren't anything to write home about. If you'd rather not stick him out in the outfield, you can stash him at first and call it a day. His swing is silky smooth, and all around, this is a strong card.

  92 OVR 2nd Half Heroes Randy Johnson

  • H/9 Right: 75
  • H/9 Left: 109
  • K/9 Right: 77
  • K/9 Left: 85
  • Control: 79
  • Pitch Clutch: 92
  • Stamina: 106
  • Velocity: 99
  • Break: 99
  • Stuff: 87
  • HR/9: 67
  • BB/9: 79

  Even without Outlier Quirks, Randy Johnson can still bring the heat up to 100 mph. His pitch mix includes:

  • Slider
  • Splitter
  • Slurve
  • Sinker
  • 4-Seam Fastball

  The two-seamer used to be a weak spot for Randy, but having the sinker in the arsenal flips the script entirely. His per-nine stats against right-handed batters aren't ideal, but he's lights out against lefties (backed by that 92 Clutch rating), and his stamina is more than enough to go deep. Pair that with his unique delivery and pitch selection, and Randy Johnson is going to be an absolute nightmare to face.

   

  The most efficient path to XP is simply staying in the lineup and playing. Those tasks tend to check themselves off naturally as you go. Also, if you happen to have two Boss cards from 1st Inning Program, you can squeeze out a bit of additional XP from that as well.

• MLB The Show 26 Top 10 Teams Full Ratings and Roster Breakdown | A few of these contenders look completely lost

  The player ratings in MLB The Show 26 reflect individual strengths and weaknesses, and team ratings tell a similar story. Clubs with higher overall numbers offer a decent snapshot of which squads are positioned as the most formidable in 2026. It stands to reason that the eventual World Series champion is very likely to emerge from this top tier.

  Based on the composite team ratings in MLB The Show 26, here are the 10 highest-rated clubs heading into the season.

  

  1. Los Angeles Dodgers

  • Roster: 80.7
  • Rotation: 89.0
  • Bullpen: 75.5
  • Power: 67.2
  • Contact: 73.3
  • Speed: 51.2
  • Farm: 63

  Dodgers roster is stacked with star power - Shohei Ohtani, Mookie Betts, and the list goes on. From the lineup and the bench all the way through the bullpen, there are virtually no glaring holes. This is arguably the most talent-laden group in Major League Baseball, and plenty of fans are genuinely wondering who is supposed to take them down this year. Dodgers also require the most MLB The Show 26 stubs of any team if you wanted to build a complete Dodgers team within Diamond Dynasty.

  The club made key additions over the winter, though the early going has seen some uneven performances. Newcomers Edwin Díaz and Kyle Tucker wasted no time making an impact in the season's opening series. Even so, the offense has yet to find a consistent rhythm.

  2. Philadelphia Phillies

  • Roster: 75.7
  • Rotation: 78.5
  • Bullpen: 69.6
  • Power: 64.1
  • Contact: 71.2
  • Speed: 63.7
  • Farm: 39

  Anchored by 90 OVR Zack Wheeler, Phillies boast a formidable rotation. They also have plenty of capable options when it comes to putting the ball in play and moving on the bases.

  That said, the early part of the season has exposed some sloppy defense and an offense that occasionally goes missing - they were held hitless through five innings in one particularly rough stretch. A portion of the fanbase is already feeling a bit uneasy, though history suggests this is a group that tends to flip the switch once October approaches.

  3. New York Mets

  • Roster: 78.0
  • Rotation: 82.2
  • Bullpen: 73.2
  • Power: 70.8
  • Contact: 69.6
  • Speed: 52.0
  • Farm: 52

  On paper, Mets have a high-end pitching staff, but the results have been shaky to start the year, as they stumbled into an early losing skid. Injuries have been a recurring issue, Francisco Lindor has looked off his usual form, and the entire offensive unit has yet to generate much sustained pressure.

  4. Atlanta Braves

  • Roster: 77.1
  • Rotation: 70.8
  • Bullpen: 73.8
  • Power: 58.6
  • Contact: 64.2
  • Speed: 42.0
  • Farm: 55

  Despite carrying the weight of injury concerns that have lingered over the franchise for several seasons, Braves have looked steady out of the gate. They posted a 3-2 mark across their first five contests. The starting rotation has outperformed early expectations, and Matt Olson is seeing the ball extremely well, delivering consistent production and notching multiple hits in several games. Ronald Acuña Jr. has also contributed with both a home run and a stolen base.

  5. Boston Red Sox

  • Roster: 76.7
  • Rotation: 84.6
  • Bullpen: 71.5
  • Power: 60.4
  • Contact: 67.8
  • Speed: 65.2
  • Farm: 49

  The early returns in Boston have been rough, despite the presence of highly-rated arms like 90 OVR Sonny Gray and 85 OVR Garrett Crochet. The club matched its worst record ever through the first ten games of a season and found itself at the bottom of the league standings. A silver lining came when Ranger Suárez tossed six scoreless innings against Cardinals to earn his first victory in a Red Sox uniform, offering a momentary halt to the slide.

  6. Seattle Mariners

  • Roster: 76.9
  • Rotation: 85.6
  • Bullpen: 71.6
  • Power:65.7
  • Contact: 69.9
  • Speed: 49.4
  • Farm: 42

  The starting rotation remains Mariners' biggest weapon, but a lineup-wide power outage has severely undermined the win-loss column. The offense has been a glaring weakness, posting a team batting average of just .184 en route to a 4-9 start.

  Despite the grim opening stretch, a significant portion of the fanbase remains optimistic. The prevailing sentiment is that if the bats can warm up even a little, this team is still very much in the conversation for AL West title.

  7. New York Yankees

  • Roster: 76.0
  • Rotation: 81.0
  • Bullpen: 68.9
  • Power:73.5
  • Contact: 66.2
  • Speed: 48.3
  • Farm: 61

  Yankees' pitching staff looked dominant during the opening days, with newcomer Max Fried turning in strong performances and the rotation establishing a rhythm. However, the first week of April brought a sharp reversal of fortune, including a five-game losing streak and a demoralizing sweep at the hands of Red Sox in a key early-season series.

  8. Chicago Cubs

  • Roster: 77.2
  • Rotation: 80.7
  • Bullpen: 71.8
  • Power: 65.4
  • Contact: 68.9
  • Speed: 63.0
  • Farm: 50

  Cubs' roster looks potent enough to cruise past 90 wins and run away with NL Central, but the reality on the field has been a struggle. There is, however, a vein of promising young talent on this squad. If and when they settle into a groove, there could be some eye-catching results later in the year.

  9. Texas Rangers

  • Roster: 73.9
  • Rotation: 82.7
  • Bullpen: 66.7
  • Power: 62.8
  • Contact: 63.3
  • Speed: 59.1
  • Farm: 44

  Texas turned in a respectable record on their season-opening road trip, with both the offense and starting rotation showing positive signs. The bullpen, however, remains a recurring headache when it comes to locking down the final outs. The team is guided by a veteran core, but because the front office didn't add any major difference-makers over the offseason, there is a palpable lack of long-term confidence surrounding the club.

  10. Pittsburgh Pirates

  • Roster: 73.3
  • Rotation: 80.1
  • Bullpen: 69.1
  • Power: 57.7
  • Contact: 66.7
  • Speed: 63.2
  • Farm: 41

  Paul Skenes (90 OVR) had a forgettable Opening Day outing but bounced back nicely with his April work. Meanwhile, rookie Konnor Griffin (90 OVR) turned heads with a stellar Major League debut. While Pirates may not rank among the elite in MLB The Show 26, this is a team with serious upside.

  These rankings may change due to shifts in team performance and official adjustments, but this uncertainty is part of the fun of the sport, both in games and in real life.