In MLB The Show 26, one of the most effective ways to gain an advantage on the mound is by using pitch tunneling to force weak contact from the batter. While pitching is an art that involves mixing speeds, location, and breaking pitches, pitch tunneling can take your game to the next level. In this article, we'll dive into the concept of pitch tunneling, how to use it in practice, and why it can lead to weak contact from batters.
Pitch tunneling refers to the strategy where a pitcher throws multiple pitches that look the same to the batter for as long as possible before they break, curve, or dip. The goal is to make it difficult for the batter to pick up the ball, leading to weak contact or even swings and misses.
In MLB The Show 26, pitch tunneling works by using the batter's inability to differentiate between pitches early in their trajectory. This gives you a significant advantage, especially when you can pair a fastball with a breaking pitch or off-speed pitch that has similar movement.
To make pitch tunneling work effectively, you need to focus on a few key principles:
Speed Variation
The most important factor in pitch tunneling is using a combination of fast and slow pitches that move in similar ways. For example, pairing a four-seam fastball with a slider or curveball that starts in the same location can confuse the batter. The idea is that both pitches will look like they’re coming in at the same speed until the break occurs.
Fastball and Slider: The fastball comes in at 95 mph, and the slider is around 85 mph. Initially, they look almost identical in the batter's eye, but the slider will start breaking just as the fastball is about to reach the plate, leading to weak contact or a whiff.
Fastball and Changeup: A similar approach works when pairing a fastball with a changeup. The changeup’s slower velocity and late drop make it difficult to distinguish from the fastball when thrown in the same spot.
Location is Key
Even though the pitches are different, they should start in the same location. For example, a pitcher might start with a fastball up and in to set up a breaking pitch that ends up low and away. If you start your pitches in the same location, the batter will have a harder time distinguishing the pitch type early on.
Location is just as important as the pitch type itself. By varying the location and maintaining similar speed, the batter can’t lock in on a pitch, forcing them to react to what’s coming late in the pitch’s flight path.
Timing Your Pitch Sequences
The sequence of pitches is crucial in creating the illusion of tunneling. You don't want to throw a fastball, then a curveball right after because the batter has enough time to recognize the curveball's movement. The key is to give the batter just enough time to react to one pitch, then throw the next one at the same speed, or with very slight variation, so it appears to be the same pitch.
Some players suggest mixing in a fastball or two early in the count, followed by a breaking ball or off-speed pitch that appears to be the same. For example, throwing a fastball on the outer half, followed by a slider or curveball in the same spot can result in the batter swinging too early or making weak contact.
The reason pitch tunneling results in weak contact is all about timing and perception. When a batter can’t tell the difference between pitches until it's too late, they are often forced to swing at bad pitches or make contact that isn’t solid. Weak contact occurs when the batter doesn’t have enough time to adjust to a pitch that breaks sharply at the last moment.
For example, if a batter swings early at a slider that looks like a fastball, they might make contact with the ball too far out in front of the plate. This leads to weak ground balls or pop-ups. Conversely, if they are late on a fastball because they were expecting something slower, they may jam themselves with an inside pitch.
By throwing a sequence of pitches that confuse the batter, you are essentially putting them in situations where their timing and decision-making become compromised, often leading to poor contact.
Pitch tunneling is especially effective against batters who rely on timing and pitch recognition, which is most of them. If you face a batter who is aggressive early in the count, pitch tunneling can cause them to chase bad pitches. On the other hand, for batters who are patient, the tunneling strategy can induce swings at pitches they misread.
The best way to know if you’re up against a patient hitter is to watch their discipline at the plate. If you notice they often take pitches early, they are likely looking for a particular pitch type. In these cases, pitch tunneling can be used to fool them into swinging at a pitch they think is coming, but isn’t.
For example, against a batter who’s looking for a fastball, you could throw a few off-speed pitches that appear the same, and then bring the fastball in at the same location. When they’re expecting a curveball, the fastball will arrive too quickly for them to make solid contact, often leading to weak contact or a strikeout.
The key to mastering pitch tunneling in MLB The Show 26 is practice. The more you experiment with different combinations of pitches and locations, the better you’ll get at using this technique to induce weak contact.
Master Pitch Movement
The more break you can get on your pitches, the more effective tunneling will be. Make sure to develop pitches with different types of movement, such as breaking balls that have a lot of horizontal or vertical movement. The more pronounced the break, the more difficult it becomes for the batter to react properly.
Use the Right Pitching Interface
Pitch tunneling is easier to pull off when you have good control over your pitches. Whether you use the meter, analog, or pinpoint pitching, make sure to use the pitching interface that you're most comfortable with. Accuracy is crucial in making pitches look similar early in their trajectory.
Pay Attention to the Batter’s Timing
Don’t just rely on the pitch sequence; pay attention to how the batter is timing the pitches. If they are getting too comfortable hitting your fastball, try mixing in more off-speed pitches with similar locations to create confusion.
Adjust to the Count
Don’t be afraid to change up your approach depending on the count. For example, if you’re ahead in the count, you might want to throw more breaking balls to get weak contact. If the batter is behind in the count, they’re likely to swing harder, so mixing in fastballs that look like off-speed pitches can result in weak, desperate swings.
In MLB The Show 26, having access to a deep roster of pitchers can make pitch tunneling much more effective. Whether you’re looking to bolster your bullpen or add a starter with better movement on their pitches, MLB The Show 26 stubs for sale can be a great way to enhance your team’s pitching arsenal. Investing in players who have the right pitch mixes and movements can give you more options when setting up tunneling strategies.
Pitch tunneling is an advanced but highly effective strategy in MLB The Show 26. By using speed variation, pitch location, and timing to confuse the batter, you can force weak contact and get outs more efficiently. Whether you're pitching to aggressive batters or patient ones, mastering the art of tunneling will give you a major edge on the mound. As with any skill, practice is key, so spend time experimenting with different combinations of pitches to find what works best for you.
