If you're looking to reduce your game time in MLB The Show 26, the best way to do it is by fine-tuning your settings and mastering pitching mechanics that keep the action moving. Let’s dive into some quick tips that can shave minutes off each game, so you can focus more on playing and less on waiting for the next pitch.
Quick Settings Toggles
There are a few key settings you can adjust to speed things up in the game. These settings take only a minute to change and will have a big impact on how quickly you get through each inning.
- Quick CPU Pitching
Turn this setting ON to eliminate the CPU's pre-pitch routine. The CPU will get straight to throwing the ball, cutting out unnecessary delays between pitches. This is especially helpful in longer games, like Franchise or Diamond Dynasty. - Presentation Mode – Fast Play
Switch your presentation mode to Fast Play to skip all the broadcast-style cutscenes, batter walk-ups, and animations between pitches. This small change will make a big difference, especially in longer nine-inning games. - Pitching from the Stretch
Set your pitcher to default to the stretch position, even when there are no runners on base. The stretch has a quicker windup compared to the full motion and speeds up the entire pitching process. - Other Pace Adjustments
Turn off Auto Defensive Shift, Injuries, and Balks. These settings can introduce unnecessary delays, so disabling them ensures smooth gameplay throughout the game.
On-Mound Speed Techniques
Mastering a few simple pitching tricks can speed up every pitch and reduce game time without sacrificing much performance.
- Slide Step
To speed up your pitch delivery, use the Slide Step. Hold L2 (or LT on Xbox) while pitching, and you’ll throw the ball faster. While you’ll sacrifice a bit of accuracy, this is a great way to speed up each pitch, especially when you’re trying to get the ball to the plate quickly. - Quick Pitching
When you're in the stretch and want to throw an even faster pitch, you can execute a Quick Pitch. Simply hold L2 (or LT) and select your pitch, then keep holding the button until the pitch is delivered. This will surprise batters and cut down on the time between pitches. - Intentional Walks
If you’re up against a batter you don’t want to face, skip all the hassle of pitching to them by issuing an Intentional Walk. Hold L1 (or LB) and press the pitch button to immediately send the batter to first base. No need to waste any time. - Pitch Outs
If you’re expecting a steal, you can speed up the process with a Pitch Out. Hold L1 (or LB) and press the pitch button twice to throw a high-speed pitch out. It’s a quick solution to resolving any potential base-stealing situation.
Efficient Pitching Strategy
Throwing strikes and finishing at-bats quickly is essential for speeding up game time. Here’s how you can improve your pitching strategy:
- Attack the Zone Early
Don’t waste time on throwing balls; attack the strike zone early in the count. Throwing strikes early gets you ahead in counts and helps build Bear Down charges, which allows you to increase your Perfect Accuracy Region (PAR) and get more efficient strikeouts when you need them. - Induce Double Plays
If there’s a runner on first, aim for low-and-away pitches to get ground balls that result in quick double plays. Double plays are the fastest way to get out of a jam and keep the game moving. - Pinpoint Pitching
While Pinpoint Pitching may take some practice to master, it’s worth learning for its precision. This interface allows you to make more accurate pitches, meaning fewer pitches thrown overall. The fewer pitches you throw, the faster you can finish each batter.
