How to Build an Effective Bullpen in MLB The Show 25: A Focus on Relief Pitchers
Building a solid bullpen in MLB The Show 25 is often the key to taking your game to the next level, especially in the later innings. While your starting rotation is important, it’s the relief pitchers who will often determine the outcome of close games. In this post, I’ll break down strategies for building an effective bullpen and which relief pitchers you shoumlb the show 25 stubsld target based on specific needs.
The Importance of Pitch Selection
The first factor to consider is the pitcher’s arsenal. Ideally, you want a bullpen with diverse pitch types to handle any situation. This includes pitchers with dominant fastballs, sliders, curveballs, and changeups. Relievers like Chapman with a fastball that hits triple digits and a slider, or Blake Treinen with his sinker-slider combo, offer a good variety of pitches that can keep batters off balance. Having one or two pitchers with elite velocity (like Chapman) and another with more off-speed stuff (like Treinen) helps you manage different types of hitters.
Pitching Style and Batting Hand Matchups
Another crucial element is your bullpen’s ability to handle left-handed and right-handed batters. For example, Josh Hader is a dominant left-handed reliever who thrives against lefties, but he may struggle against righties. On the other hand, Kenley Jansen, with his cutter and excellent control, can be effective against both sides of the plate. Building a balanced bullpen with pitchers who can excel in both situations will allow you to exploit matchups and keep your opponents guessing.
Closing vs. Setup Roles
Not every reliever needs to be a closer, but having reliable setup men and middle relievers is just as important. Liam Hendriks is a great option for a setup role with his electric stuff and ability to keep the ball in the strike zone. On the other hand, closers like Mariano Rivera can be used in high-leverage situations or when you need to secure the final outs of the game.
Ultimately, the best bullpens are well-rounded with a mix of power arms, pitch control, and variety. Be sure to tailor your bullpen based on the situation you anticipate—whether you need a ground-ball specialist, a strikeout machine, or a reliable closer to secure the win.