MLB The Show 16 Tips: Stopping The Run Game

In MLB The Show 16, SDS has made a few changes to stealing bases.  Compared to

previous iterations, The Show 16 has decreased the default lead off for all baserunners

by one step.  This actually plays a big role for holding runners and prevent base stealers.

Watch my tutorial from last year on the slide step:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mdLKkzLblS4

This year MLB The Show 16 has given us a few new tools in our arsenal to prevent

base stealers.  You can deke runners by holding L2 and tapping R2, while a runner is on

second base and being held on.  This will make users take a step back towards the bag

and can actually allow you to not even make pick off attempts to keep runners close.

Keeping users close to the bag at 2nd can also give your outfielders a higher chance to

throw out runners at the plate on singles to the outfield.

Watch my Deking tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5aBbbyEcQ2A

Lastly, snapback throws are implemented better this year.  They were there in year’s

past, but your catchers would throw lolly gags to the base.  This year the catcher does

throw a lot harder, pending on their arm strength.  You can also do a pitch out and/or

slidestep to better utilize the snapback throws.  If your opponent likes to take a lead off

and you cannot pick them off from your pitcher or if they like to steal and send the

runners back then the snap back throw will be a huge asset for you.  To use the snap

back throw, simply just hold the button of the bag (or use analog if your using analog

fielding) and the catcher will make a snapback throw to whatever bag you desired.

Watch my Snapback tutorial:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mbBXMXIHmBU

Also, users can mix up their pace to the plate to confuse runners.  This means you quick

pitch one pitch then you come set and hold the ball the next time.  Some users will try to

manual steal on you and this is a great way to throw them off.  You can also step off the

mound by using the L1 button and you do not even have to throw over to force the

runner back.

Overall, we have the ability to slide step, pitch out, deke, make snapback throws, and

control the pace of your delivery to keep baserunners in check.  Make sure to use all

tools to your advantage!

Follow me on twitter @Cardinalbird for more MLB The Show 16 Tips and check out my livestreams at www.twitch.tv/cardinalbird5.

MLB The Show 16 Tips: Stopping The Run Game

MLB The Show 16 Tips: Zone Hitting

The zone hitting interface has been a staple for The Show’s hitting engine since the 

inception of the game.  Not much has changed over the years with this interface and I 

am glad to mention that this is the same for this years’ iteration of MLB The Show. 

First, lets talk about the overall feel and hitting engine in MLB The Show 16. The timing 

seems to be more biased towards pulling the ball this year, meaning that users can wait 

back a little bit longer and still have the ability to pull the ball.  Basically, players have 

quicker bats in this years’ game.  Also, lets not forget that SDS introduced a new 

mechanism called “precision input gameplay” and has a huge impact on zone hitting.  

This means that your inputs have more influence on the success of your hits and you will 

get punished more for bad inputs.  In summary, you have to lineup your PCI more 

precisely on the ball compared to years’ past iterations. 

You can use two different inputs with zone hitting, button or analog.  If you use analog 

input, you can use stride or flick.  I prefer buttons, but if you like the feeling and 

naturality of analog hitting then it is totally personal preference.  They all can be used 

effectively. 

Attributes still play a major role for zone hitting, even the pitchers’ attributes.  The size of 

the PCI is made up by the hitter’s contact and plate vision.  The size of the PCI is also 

slightly modified by your opponent’s pitcher’s K/9 and H/9 attributes.  K/9 directly 

affects the plate vision attribute, whereas H/9 affects the contact rating.  In comparison 

to other interfaces, you can do significantly better with less overall players if you get 

consistent and precise inputs with zone, whereas with directional you will not 

consistently hit the ball hard with lower rated players. 

Lastly, zone hitting has a slightly more timing window as well.  Since users have complete 

control of their PCI, SDS does open the timing up a tad in comparison to interfaces like 

directional.  Zone hitting offers users the best ability to consistently make good contact 

and to drive the ball.  It offers the most control and is the most reliant on users’ input.  If 

you want complete control of hitting then zone hitting is the interface for you! 

Make sure to watch me livestream at twitch.tv/cardinalbird and you can follow me on

twitter @Cardinalbird5.   

MLB The Show 16 Tips: Zone Hitting

MLB The Show 16 Tips: Analog Hitting Introduction

MLB The Show 16 finally has re-introduced the stride back into the for pure analog hitting. In this brief Pure Analog Hitting Introduction, I will talk about the changes made to this year’s Pure analog Hitting and give you a few pointers as well.

Obviously the biggest addition to thais year’s pure analog hitting is the re-addition of the stride mechanism. Last year in MLB 15 The Show, SDS decided to take it out to due to the small percentage of users using the analog hitting. However, after talking to the community the general consesus was that the pure analog hitters were greatly disappointed. So it was a smart decision of SDS to finally implement in this feature back in. The stride is back, but you can also still use the “flick” feature that was only used for MLB 15 The Show for Pure Analog Hitting. Now lets talk about how to use stride feature effectively.

When using stride there are some differences in previous iterations of MLB The Show. In this year’s game, there is no working feedback for stride. This means that the timing of your stride really means nothing. In the past it could give you small bonuses and you could also get punished for striding too early or too late. Now it does nothing is generally just there for aesthetic purposes.

To change swing type for stride you simply press either square, x, or circle before the pitcher starts the wind up. If you have vibration on you will feel a slight vibration when you change your swing type. If you do not press any buttons then you will just be using the normal swing (x).

Now for the flick feature in pure analog hitting it works the same as last year. To power swing, you have to move the RS down then up (similar to striding) before swinging and to contact swing you need to swipe the stick all the way to the left or right when swinging. For normal swing you just flick up towards either the left or right. Keep in mind with contact swing, you can only contact swing to the left or right and never really down the middle, which is a huge flaw in the system.

Remember, regardless if you are using stride or flick when swinging you have to move the analog either up, up and to the right, or up and to the left towards the pitch. A lot of players do not realize that you control the horizontal placement of your PCI by swinging up and either to the right, left, or middle pending on where the pitch is. You also bunt with triangle still for both hitting techniques.

This interface, skill level wise, is in between directional and zone as far as how much influence users can have on their PCI placement. As for skill level required, I would also say its in between both zone and directional. Overall, this interface is a medium risk and medium reward concept. You have little influence on the PCI’s verticality, but you do have more control compared to an interface like directional.

Lastly, keep in mind attributes still play a moderate factor on pure analog hitting. Contact and plate vision will have a big influence on whether or not your PCI is on the ball, regardless of your input. Again, this interface is in between zone (which relies more on user’s inputs than attributes) and directional (relies more on attributes than user’s input). If you like directional but a little more influence on your hits or if you like zone but feel a bit too overwhelmed then definitely give this interface a try!

For more MLB The Show 16 tips, follow us on twitter, like us on facebook, and subscribe to our YouTube.

MLB The Show 16 Tips: Analog Hitting Introduction

MLB The Show 16 Server Update #7

Enjoying MLB The Show 16, but not some of the bugs? Hopefully the following fixes will help you out, which ave arrived as part of the latest MLB The Show 16 server update.

1. The first of the two fixes addresses users getting a loss when players agree on a friendly quit. This bug only affects online players and should not occur anymore


2. The second fix addresses an exploit which allowed players to avoid losing online matches if they changed certain tactics before the end of the game. This issue was mostly affecting the Battle Royale mode.

That’s it for this server update. Feel free to let us know if these changes helped you.

MLB The Show 16 Server Update #7

MLB 16 The Show Developer Deep Dive: Showtime and Road to the Show

Sony San Diego streamed MLB 16 The Show on Twitch yesterday and did a deep dive of Showtime and Road to the Show modes. Here are the key takeaways from the stream below and we have the first part of the video archived above!

• New Batting Angle called “Fisheye”


• Scouts look for timing, contact, distance on hits with 20/80 scale


• 20/80 scale IS in Franchise mode


• Errors, range all judged in Scout Day


• ShowTime will be optional


• Anthony Rizzo is going to be one of the player reps


• “big moments” will be a focus of RTTS, like when player steps onto field for first time, etc.


• Advance Next Day feature is only on Playstation 4


• Level up attributes like in ’15 but Perks are new, hard to unlock the most powerful


• ShowTime will be hard to earn and won’t be available all the time


• During load screens you can see different info by hitting L1/R1


• Faster load times


• Perks is on the PS3 as well as PS4


• ShowTime bar regenerates like energy


• 600+ new animations this year. Out of Position logic and animations will be discussed in future streams


• Lots of new dives, pre-pitch dives that will be discussed later. 100s are recorded.


• Hot / cold players are shown on load screens


• EvoShield, Oakley & All Star are the 3 new Equipment options.


• No bench clearing brawls per MLB


• ShowTime for pitchers. Pitcher (hold R2) focus in, Can throw precision pitch (infrequently)


• More first/last names added to RTTS for your player


• no face scan capability for Road to the Show


• ShowTime is R2, Dive is R1.


• ShowTime has an “off” option = don’t have to use it


• Devs will track if people use it or turn it off.


• Devs will try to get a transaction log into RTTS this year.


• More equipment + ritual items in RTTS, more mysterious stuff will be revealed at a later date.


• Market will be the same for Road to the Show BUT lots of new stuff will be revealed


• New dynamic difficulty slider


• 32 Total Perks


• cost of Perks will likely change, work in progress


• Ambient yells and chants come out of the PlayStation controller’s speakers in The Show 16


• Tuesday’s stream will be about gameplay


• Player edit screen will now show that player’s uniform

Thanks to MLBtheShowTips  for this info!

MLB 16 The Show Developer Deep Dive: Showtime and Road to the Show

Predicting the Starting Pitcher Flashback Cards for MLB The Show 16

Now that we know San Diego Studios is introducing Flashback players for Diamond Dynasty, we can now speculate and have some fun with it. I picked 10 potential flashback players, starting with start pitchers (some are confirmed such as Greinke and Sabathia) and went through their stats to give them an overall rating.

I don’t necessarily believe these are the best 10, but these are the ones I’d like to see and use in the game!  I also believe some of them may pitch better than what their overall suggests. We will do this for each position, including relief pitchers! Enjoy!

Starting Pitchers:

10. 2000 Bartolo Colon -84 overall 

9. 2008 AJ Burnett – 85 overall 

8. 2010 Ubaldo Jimenez-90 overall 

7. 2008 CC Sabathia -92 overall 

6. 2012 R.A. Dickey – 95 overall 

5. 2004 Johan Santana-96 overall 

4. 2009 Lincecum-97 overall 

3. 2011 Verlander-98 overall 

2. 2007 Jake Peavy -98 overall 

1. 2009 Zach Greinke – 99 overall 

Let us know what other flashback cards you’d like to see for starting pitchers in MLB The Show 16! 

Predicting the Starting Pitcher Flashback Cards for MLB The Show 16

MLB The Show 16 Pre-Order Details: Standard, Deluxe and MVP Editions Available

It was announced today during the Sony PS Experience that MLB The 16 The Show will be released on PS4 and PS3 March 29th, we have the 1st details on Pre-Orders for the game below:

PS4 pre-orders for MLB The Show 16 are now available. Those who pre-order MLB The Show 16 will receive 10 bonus standard-item packs and a MLB The Show Player Rep Rookie Card when you pick-up or download the game. Those who pre-order at GameStop (or EB Games in Canada) will additionally receive five bonus item packs and those who pre order on the PS Store will receive three exclusive MLB The Show-themed PS4 Avatars (in addition to their 10 item packs and Rookie Card). Here’s a handy list below for how and where to pre-order:

• PlayStation Store: PS4 Standard Edition, PS4 MVP Edition, PS4 Digital Deluxe Edition


• Amazon: PS4 Standard Edition, PS3 Standard Edition, PS4 MVP Edition


• Amazon (Canada): PS4 Standard Edition, PS4 MVP Edition


• Best Buy: PS4 Standard Edition

MLB The Show 16 MVP Edition

Last year we released a limited 10th Anniversary Edition, and the feedback was so positive that we decided to craft a new MVP Edition for our fans this year. Priced at $69.99 ($89.99 in Canada), the MVP Edition contains more than $135 in content. It’s available for pre-order at retail and on the PlayStation Store now!

• Limited Edition Steel Book and Packaging ($5.00 Value) – for physical version only


• 5,000 Stubs ($5.00 value)


• 1 Sponsor Pack ($5.00 value)


• 10 Standard Packs ($10.00 total value)


• 31 PS4 MLB Themed Avatars ($31.00 total value)


• 1 Opening Day Pack ($25.00 value)

MLB The Show 16 Digital Deluxe Edition

For our Hardcore Diamond Dynasty and Road To The Show fans, we created a digital edition exclusive to PlayStation Store! The Digital Deluxe Edition is $99.99 ($119.99 in Canada) and it includes more than $200 in content, making it a must-have for the most dedicated fans of the Show.

• 11,000 Stubs ($10.00 value)


• 1 Sponsor Pack ($5.00 value)


• 20 Standard Packs ($20.00 total value)


• 31 PS4 MLB Themed Avatars ($31.00 total value)


• 3 Opening Day Packs ($75.00 value)

Stay tuned to SGO for all of your MLB 16 The Show News and Tips once the game is released!

MLB The Show 16 Pre-Order Details: Standard, Deluxe and MVP Editions Available

MLB 16 The Show Trailer Breakdown: New Features Detailed!

The first sneak peak of MLB 16 The Show was revealed at the PSX Experience this past weekend.  We got a one minute trailer that I will break down in the video below!

Closed Roofs: Need I say more?  Next….

Showtime:  This looks like a new mechanic that enables the user to slow time down in order to make easier reads and plays, whether it is fielding or hitting.  This feature will probably be disabled for online, but we will see.

Classic Stadiums: Polo Grounds was the only stadium shown, but this is a good sign.  In the past, SDS said they were not bringing back any of the classics.  If it is anything like MLB 13, these stadiums will be usable online and for Diamond Dynasty too.

Conquest:  This is probably a new mode for Diamond Dynasty, perhaps similar to NBA 2k’s MyTeam “Domination” mode.  We only saw a few things in the trailer, so this is left wide open for us to speculate.

New Legends: Gary Carter, Rollie Fingers, Tony Gwynn, Reggie Jackson, Joe Morgan and Ryne Sandberg will be introduced as new legends this year, according to the trailer.

Throwbacks: Miguel Cabrera as a Marlin, Greinke as a Royal, Pujols as a Cardinal, A-Rod as a Ranger, Sabathia as an Indian, and Ichiro as a Mariner.  This looks like it may have limitless possibilities, but these will for sure be some of the bigger players with throwbacks.

Release date and deluxe edition:  MLB 16 The Show will be released March 29^th, 2016 and a deluxe edition will be purchasable.  No details have been released on the deluxe edition.

 

MLB 16 The Show Trailer Breakdown: New Features Detailed!

MLB 16 The Show Cover Athlete and 1st Trailer Released!

It was announced today that MLB 16: The Show will be released on March 29, 2016 and American League MVP Josh Donaldson will grace the cover. In his first season with his new team, Donaldson slashed .297/.371/.568, blasting 41 home runs while driving in an American League-high 123 runs.

Stay tuned for More MLB 16 The Show info here at Sports Gamers Online.

MLB 16 The Show Cover Athlete and 1st Trailer Released!