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Online games in MLB The Show 26 often turn into a guessing contest when a hitter starts recognizing your release point. That is where pitch tunneling becomes valuable: two pitches can leave the hand on nearly the same line, then separate late enough to disrupt timing and PCI placement. I started paying closer attention to this after relying too heavily on raw velocity, and the change was noticeable even before improving my roster with MLB 26 stubs. The key is not throwing random pitches. It is building sequences that create a believable first read and a different final result.
Build Tunnels Around the Pitcher's Release
The best combinations begin with pitches that share a similar release window and early flight path. A sinker and cutter can work well because both may appear to attack the same lane before their movement pulls them apart. A four-seam fastball paired with a changeup offers a different look, especially when both are aimed toward the lower-middle portion of the zone at release. The exact pairing depends on the pitcher's attributes, but the visual relationship matters more than simply selecting two pitches with high ratings.
Make the Late Break Change the Hitter's Decision
A tunnel loses much of its value when both pitches finish in the same spot. The first pitch should create an expectation, while the follow-up should challenge it. For instance, show a sinker that appears to enter the inner third, then use a slider that starts near that path and sweeps away. Against a patient opponent, reverse the order later in the at-bat. This prevents the hitter from treating your first successful sequence as a permanent pattern.
Velocity Gaps Matter More Than Most Players Think
Movement is only half of the problem. Timing changes force the hitter to process speed and location at the same time, which makes late swings and weak contact more likely. A practical sequence might combine a 96-mph fastball, an upper-80s cutter, and a slower changeup. Do not automatically throw the slowest pitch after every hard pitch, though. If the opponent is sitting back, a well-located fastball can be more effective than another off-speed option. Useful tunnel ingredients include.
Similar early trajectory
Meaningful speed separation
Different horizontal or vertical finish
A location that fits the current count
Let the Count and PCI Tell You What to Throw
Pitch tunneling should respond to the hitter rather than run as a fixed script. In an even count, use the zone to establish a visual reference and gather information about the opponent's timing. With two strikes, start a breaking pitch near the zone and let it finish just beyond the edge if the hitter has shown a chase tendency. If the PCI keeps drifting inside, work away; if the hitter is sitting on low pitches, elevate a fastball before returning to the bottom of the zone. Small adjustments make the same arsenal feel much deeper.
Save Your Best Look for the Biggest At-Bats
The strongest sequence is often more effective when the opponent has already revealed a preference. Use a fastball to punish a hitter who is leaning off speed, then return to the changeup once that adjustment becomes obvious. Mix tunnel directions across innings so your opponent cannot prepare for one familiar pattern. This approach makes a modest five-pitch arsenal play like a much richer loadout. For players planning their ranked seasons roster, buy MLB The Show 26 Stubs only if it supports a broader team plan, because smart sequencing still matters more than expensive individual ratings.
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