Posted: Mar 31, 2026
Views: 30MLB The Show 26, like FC 26, is a competitive game. Diamond-level players have a higher ceiling and can pull off incredible swings or pitches, but you're still the one in control.
Here, we'll focus mainly on how you approach pitching. This covers not just in-game techniques, but also your settings and even your hardware. Whether you're a newcomer or a veteran, this guide aims to help you level up your pitching game.
Controller Choice
For Xbox players, the default controller feels somewhat sluggish in MLB 26. Plugging a microphone into the auxiliary port improves the situation a little, but it still won't give you 1:1 precision. Therefore, you can use a third-party controller for pitching. PlayStation players don't face this issue.
Game Settings
Pitching Interface
Watch top players, and you'll see almost all of them use Pinpoint Pitching, with the occasional exception using Pure Analog. The problem with Pure Analog is that when your pitcher's confidence drops, the pitching meter disappears, and you'll also need to learn how to use a mound visit to restore it - too complicated for beginners. It's really not difficult to learn Pinpoint Pitching. Finish one Conquest map, and you'll basically have the feel for it.
Pitching Ball Marker
Pitch Trail shows the ball's full path from the pitcher's release point to the intended landing spot. Some players prefer Chevron (the small arrow symbols), but it may not give you a 1:1 sense of the ball's actual trajectory as it crosses the plate - you're almost guessing.
Fixed Pitch Location
This is a new feature in this year's edition. When turned off, the aiming reticle automatically snaps back to the center after each pitch; when turned on, it stays where you left it. If you're an experienced player and don't like this change, you can turn it off.
Pitcher Delivery
When grinding games offline, you can set this to Stretch Only, which speeds up the pace of play.
Pinpoint Pitching
Pinpoint Pitching isn't unique to MLB 26; it existed in previous games. First, you need to select the pitch type and landing point. Then, using the right analog stick, carefully trace the unique trajectory of each pitch type.
When you choose a pitch, the game visually shows you the stick movement you need to replicate - both the speed and the shape. Watch it closely and copy the motion. After completing the movement, return the stick to the center. Wait for the two blue circles at the bottom of the screen to close together - at that exact moment, pull the stick straight down.
Different pitches have different difficulty levels: fastballs, because they're straight, demand tighter precision for a perfect execution; forkballs are harder to throw well, but the accuracy requirement is actually looser. However, the timing of pulling down applies to all pitches.
Also note that right-handed and left-handed pitchers may mirror each other's motions, so some pitch trajectories can be reversed. Pay attention to the pitcher's handedness and follow the on-screen prompts. Head into custom practice and try various pitches repeatedly - you'll quickly get the rhythm of Pinpoint Pitching.
Many players obsess over a perfect angle, but as long as you hit the threshold in each category, every perfect pitch delivers the same result. So Pinpoint Pitching has one drawback, which you can't intentionally miss your spot. In Pure Analog, you can deliberately release late to avoid hanging a breaking ball, but Pinpoint doesn't allow that.
Throwing Balls
Throwing balls is perfectly fine, especially early in the game or early in the count. Use them to test the opponent's swing tendencies. Are there certain locations or pitch types that opponents can't resist swinging at, even when they're clearly out of the zone?
In online games, many players aren't good at consistently identifying balls. So mix in some balls to tempt them into chasing. Especially early in the game, experiment with different spots and pitches to find the zone where the opponent swings and misses most often.
The more strikes you throw, the lower the hitter's batting average. Aim to keep your first-pitch strike rate between 60% and 80%. A first-pitch strike doesn't have to be a called strike; as the game goes on, you can throw a chase ball that gets a swing-and-miss, which also gives you a 0-1 advantage.
Tunneling
Tunneling is making one pitch look like another. You need to know which pitch types are naturally similar:
- 4-seam fastball & forkball: very similar
- 4-seam fastball & cutter: very similar
- 4-seam fastball & slider: moderately similar
- 4-seam fastball & changeup: moderately similar
- Circle changeup: less like a fastball
For example, steal an outside corner strike with a 4-seamer, then follow with a cutter that's a ball - the batter may chase and miss or produce weak contact. Next, attack the inside corner with a sinker. Once the batter starts protecting the inside too much, throw a circle changeup low at waist level. It has a similar motion and spin. The batter will often swing early, rolling the ball over to the first-base or second-base side for a groundout.
You can also use cutters and sliders to make the ball move horizontally from the same initial trajectory - inside against righties, outside against lefties. Tunneling is one of the most important advanced pitching skills, and it works especially well against other human players.
In online matches, PAR limits how effective tunneling can be. Still, even with a knuckle-curve, you can try to make it look like a 4-seamer by placing the pitch at a similar release point and gambling that the batter will swing.
These are some general pitching tips. You'll discover more techniques through practice. But remember: while you're studying the opponent's habits, they're often studying yours as well. So keep varying your approach.
