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In MLB The Show 26, defense plays a crucial role in winning games, often determining the outcome when the hitting isn’t coming through. If you’ve been struggling with your defensive game, or you want to improve, it’s important to understand how positioning your players can make a significant difference. In this guide, I’ll go over defensive positioning concepts that will help you get better at stopping hits, making clean plays, and ultimately becoming a stronger defender on the field. How Do I Know Where to Position My Players?
Every situation in MLB The Show 26 presents its own unique challenge, and where you position your players can have a big impact on the result. The game uses real-world defensive strategies, and understanding them is the key to improving your defense.
For most plays, the game automatically adjusts player positioning based on the batter's tendencies, but knowing how to adjust manually will give you an edge. For example, if you’re facing a batter who tends to pull the ball, positioning your infielders toward the third base side (for a right-handed hitter) can help you make more plays. Similarly, when you face a batter who hits to the opposite field, shifting your outfielders or infielders slightly towards right field can give you an advantage. Manual Positioning
To adjust positioning manually, press L1 + D-Pad (on PlayStation) or the corresponding button on other platforms. This will allow you to move your players closer or further from the line, shift the infielders, or reposition the outfielders to prepare for the batter's likely hits. While these shifts can be useful, they also open you up to more risk if the batter is good at making adjustments. It’s important to balance the shifts, especially when you’re dealing with a batter who has a lot of opposite-field power. When Should I Shift My Infielders or Outfielders?
A common question many players ask is when to use defensive shifts. While shifts can be helpful, overusing them can lead to big gaps in the field that can be exploited by the opposing team. Here’s when you should consider shifting your defense:
Each player in MLB The Show 26 has different attributes that affect their defensive abilities. Some players are better at fielding ground balls, while others excel at making throws to first base. Knowing your players' strengths and weaknesses can help you decide where to position them on the field for the best possible outcome. Fielding
Some players are exceptional at fielding, which is crucial for making routine plays or snaring hard-hit grounders. When positioning your infielders, make sure to account for each player’s fielding range. For instance, a player with a high fielding rating will have a larger range, meaning they can cover more ground at shortstop or second base.
Players with strong arms can make long throws from deep in the hole at shortstop or third base. If your third baseman has an elite arm, you can position them slightly deeper to handle harder-hit balls.
The speed of your fielders will influence where you position them, especially in the outfield. A fast center fielder can cover more ground, so you might want to shift your outfielders slightly toward the gaps to increase your chances of snagging fly balls.
While MLB The Show 26 allows you to manually shift your defense, it’s important to know how to counter when your opponent uses a shift against you. Players often face shifted defenses to take away pull hits, so learning how to exploit those shifts can help you find gaps and rack up hits. Bunting Against the Shift
One of the best ways to beat a defensive shift is by bunting. The AI-controlled infielders will often be positioned further away from the line, so bunting down the line can get you an easy hit. Players who have good bunting skills can take advantage of this tactic, but it’s important to be careful not to overuse it since most players will adjust once they notice it happening too often. Hitting the Opposite Way
Another way to beat a shift is by hitting the ball the other way. Players who have good contact abilities and can go opposite field will often find themselves with easy base hits when facing a shifted defense. Try to take advantage of the gaps and push the ball to the opposite field to exploit the shift. How Can I Improve My Defense Overall?
Improving defense takes time, but there are several things you can do to become a better defender in MLB The Show 26:
In MLB The Show 26, defensive positioning is an essential part of the game that can have a huge impact on the outcome. By understanding how to shift your players, accounting for their attributes, and knowing when to make adjustments, you can improve your defense and start making more plays. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, understanding defensive positioning will help you get the most out of your team and improve your chances of winning games.
Every situation in MLB The Show 26 presents its own unique challenge, and where you position your players can have a big impact on the result. The game uses real-world defensive strategies, and understanding them is the key to improving your defense.
For most plays, the game automatically adjusts player positioning based on the batter's tendencies, but knowing how to adjust manually will give you an edge. For example, if you’re facing a batter who tends to pull the ball, positioning your infielders toward the third base side (for a right-handed hitter) can help you make more plays. Similarly, when you face a batter who hits to the opposite field, shifting your outfielders or infielders slightly towards right field can give you an advantage. Manual Positioning
To adjust positioning manually, press L1 + D-Pad (on PlayStation) or the corresponding button on other platforms. This will allow you to move your players closer or further from the line, shift the infielders, or reposition the outfielders to prepare for the batter's likely hits. While these shifts can be useful, they also open you up to more risk if the batter is good at making adjustments. It’s important to balance the shifts, especially when you’re dealing with a batter who has a lot of opposite-field power. When Should I Shift My Infielders or Outfielders?
A common question many players ask is when to use defensive shifts. While shifts can be helpful, overusing them can lead to big gaps in the field that can be exploited by the opposing team. Here’s when you should consider shifting your defense:
- Against Pull Hitters: When you face batters who pull the ball regularly, shifting the infield toward third base (for a right-handed batter) or shortstop (for a left-handed batter) can help you cover more ground and create more outs. The outfielders can also play deeper and toward the pull side to help prevent extra-base hits.
- Against Spray Hitters: If you’re facing a batter who hits all over the field, you want to keep your fielders spread out. Don’t make drastic shifts here; instead, keep the defense in a standard alignment and be ready for anything.
- Against Power Hitters: For batters with a lot of power, especially those who frequently hit home runs, positioning your outfielders deeper is a good strategy. However, make sure your infielders stay close to their bases to prevent bloopers or line drives from sneaking through.
- Against Speedsters: When you’re facing fast runners who might bunt or beat out infield hits, make sure to keep your infielders closer to the batter’s box. You can also adjust your outfielders to play shallower to prevent base hits from finding gaps.
Each player in MLB The Show 26 has different attributes that affect their defensive abilities. Some players are better at fielding ground balls, while others excel at making throws to first base. Knowing your players' strengths and weaknesses can help you decide where to position them on the field for the best possible outcome. Fielding
Some players are exceptional at fielding, which is crucial for making routine plays or snaring hard-hit grounders. When positioning your infielders, make sure to account for each player’s fielding range. For instance, a player with a high fielding rating will have a larger range, meaning they can cover more ground at shortstop or second base.
- Infield Positioning: If you have a shortstop with great range, you might want to position them slightly to the left of second base to cover a wider area. On the flip side, if you have a slow fielder at second base, make sure to adjust your positioning to make up for their lack of range.
Players with strong arms can make long throws from deep in the hole at shortstop or third base. If your third baseman has an elite arm, you can position them slightly deeper to handle harder-hit balls.
- Throwing to First: When playing in the infield, it’s also important to account for the arm strength of your first baseman. If your first baseman isn’t known for their arm strength, try to position your players closer to the base to make throws easier.
The speed of your fielders will influence where you position them, especially in the outfield. A fast center fielder can cover more ground, so you might want to shift your outfielders slightly toward the gaps to increase your chances of snagging fly balls.
- Outfield Positioning: If your left fielder has great speed, you can position them closer to the line while your center fielder plays more toward left-center. This gives you better coverage on fly balls to the gaps.
While MLB The Show 26 allows you to manually shift your defense, it’s important to know how to counter when your opponent uses a shift against you. Players often face shifted defenses to take away pull hits, so learning how to exploit those shifts can help you find gaps and rack up hits. Bunting Against the Shift
One of the best ways to beat a defensive shift is by bunting. The AI-controlled infielders will often be positioned further away from the line, so bunting down the line can get you an easy hit. Players who have good bunting skills can take advantage of this tactic, but it’s important to be careful not to overuse it since most players will adjust once they notice it happening too often. Hitting the Opposite Way
Another way to beat a shift is by hitting the ball the other way. Players who have good contact abilities and can go opposite field will often find themselves with easy base hits when facing a shifted defense. Try to take advantage of the gaps and push the ball to the opposite field to exploit the shift. How Can I Improve My Defense Overall?
Improving defense takes time, but there are several things you can do to become a better defender in MLB The Show 26:
- Practice the Fundamentals: Spend time in the training mode to get better at controlling the defensive side of the ball. Learn how to time your dives, throws, and pickoffs properly.
- Understand Player Traits: Know the strengths and weaknesses of your defensive players. This allows you to make more strategic decisions when positioning them.
- Watch the Batters: Pay attention to how the batter tends to hit. Does he pull the ball? Go the opposite way? Adjust your positioning accordingly.
- Make Adjustments Based on Situations: Always remember that you can change your positioning depending on the count, batter, and base runners. Stay flexible and keep adjusting throughout the game.
- Invest in Cheap MLB The Show 26 Stubs: If you want to build your team with top defensive players, consider buying some stubs. You can find cheap MLB The Show 26 stubs to pick up players with solid fielding stats or higher range, which will help you significantly improve your defensive game.
In MLB The Show 26, defensive positioning is an essential part of the game that can have a huge impact on the outcome. By understanding how to shift your players, accounting for their attributes, and knowing when to make adjustments, you can improve your defense and start making more plays. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned player, understanding defensive positioning will help you get the most out of your team and improve your chances of winning games.