MLB The Show 26: Dustin May Card Review by U4GM

Andrew736

Dustin May's 99 OVR New Threads card matters because it asks hitters to solve more than raw speed. If you're building a Diamond Dynasty rotation and weighing where MLB 26 stubs fit into that plan, May is the sort of starter worth a close look. He has the big numbers, sure, but that's not the whole story. His pitch shapes work together. A hitter can't just sit on one lane and hope for the best. That changes at-bats fast.

The Numbers Behind the Card

May brings 99 Velocity, 99 Break, 88 Control, 92 Stamina, and 103 Pitching Clutch. His H/9 split is especially useful: 113 versus right-handed bats and 101 versus left-handed bats. That slight drop against lefties doesn't make him a liability. It simply means location still matters. Miss over the middle with a sinker, and anyone can square it up. Work the edges, though, and his stuff plays all game.

AttributeRatingOn-field use
H/9 vs RHB113Limits clean contact
H/9 vs LHB101Keeps lefties honest
K/9104Supports strikeout counts
Control88Rewards precise input
Stamina92Helps him work deep

Five Pitches, Five Different Looks

The four-seamer sits near 98 mph. The sinker comes in around 95, the cutter about 93, the circle change near 88, and the sweeper drops to roughly 83. Those gaps are what make May awkward to face. The fastball gets hitters looking up. The sinker pulls their eyes down. Then the cutter arrives on a hard line that doesn't quite match either one. You'll notice opponents start making rushed decisions after a couple of innings.

Open with a high four-seamer or a sinker near the knees.
Follow a high pitch with something lower to shift eye level.
Use the cutter once a hitter starts expecting the sinker.
Save the sweeper for two-strike counts or obvious chase spots.
Mix in the circle change when an opponent swings early at heat.

Where May Stands Among Elite Starters

Garrett Crochet, Paul Skenes, Shohei Ohtani, Tarik Skubal, and Zack Wheeler all bring something different to the mound. Some have a more familiar release or one pitch that draws most of the attention. May's edge is variety. He can change speed without losing movement, and he can move the ball in more than one direction. That makes him a better choice for players who like reading tendencies instead of repeating the same sequence.

Rotation Call

May isn't a card that pitches itself. You've got to stay involved, spot the sinker carefully, and avoid turning the sweeper into an easy read. But for players who enjoy that side of the game, he's one of the better rotation choices available. If you decide to buy cheap MLB 26 stubs while shaping a competitive squad, May's blend of stamina, movement, and pitch variety gives him real value beyond the 99 OVR label.