eld.gg MLB The Show 25 Stubs: Against fly ball hitters

When Facing Opponents with a High Batting Average on Fly Balls

One of the critical considerations in managing your pitching staff in MLB The Show 25 is understanding how different types of pitchers can neutralize specific hitters’ strengths. When dealing with opponents who excel at hitting fly balls  submarine pitchers can be a valuable asset to your strategy.

Why Fly Balls Are Dangerous

Fly balls, particularly hard-hit ones, often result in extra-base hits or home runs, making them some of the most damaging types of contact in baseball. Players with a high batting average on fly balls typically have excellent power and timing, meaning they can turn even routine fly balls into scoring threats.

How Submarine Pitchers Counteract Fly Ball Hitters

Submarine pitchers naturally produce pitches with heavy downward movement and sinking action due to their low arm angle and unique release point. This pitching style encourages hitters to make contact lower on the ball, leading to more ground balls rather than fly balls. By inducing more grounders, submarine pitchers limit the number of dangerous fly balls, reducing the chance of home runs or extra-base hits.

Ground Balls vs. Fly Balls: The Defensive Advantage

Ground balls generally present less risk than fly balls because:

They rarely result in home runs.

They provide more opportunities for infielders to MLB The Show 25 Stubs make plays, including double plays.

They keep the ball in front of the defense, minimizing extra bases.

Against fly ball hitters, shifting the batted ball profile toward grounders can dramatically reduce the opponent’s offensive impact.

Strategic Deployment

When you identify a batter or lineup that thrives on fly balls, especially in hitter-friendly ballparks, consider bringing in a submarine pitcher to counteract this advantage. The pitching style’s ground ball tendency works as a natural counterbalance to the hitter’s power, forcing them to adjust their approach, often with limited success.

Situational Awareness

In tight games or when protecting a lead, neutralizing fly ball hitters becomes even more critical. Submarine pitchers can be deployed in these high-leverage situations to keep the ball on the ground and avoid giving up costly home runs or deep extra-base hits.

Complementary Defensive Positioning

Pairing submarine pitchers with defensive shifts tailored for ground balls can maximize your chances of getting outs. Infielders can position themselves optimally to field grounders, while outfielders focus on preventing line drives and potential doubles.

Conclusion

Facing opponents with a high batting average on fly balls requires a tactical approach to pitching. Submarine pitchers, with their unique delivery and pitch movement, excel at inducing ground balls, which limits the power-hitting threat of fly ball specialists. Using these pitchers strategically in MLB The Show 25 can be a game-changer, helping you control the opponent’s damage output and increasing your chances of buy MLB Stubs securing wins.