Why Bunt Timing Matters in MLB The Show 26 With U4GM

Andrew736

With Teoscar Hernandez at the plate, your first instinct probably isn't to bunt. That's fair. Giving up a chance at extra bases needs a good reason, especially with a hitter who can change the score with one swing. Still, a close game sometimes calls for moving a runner rather than chasing a big hit. If you're building a lineup with MLB 26 stubs, think about those situations alongside power and speed. Before asking a slugger to bunt, check the outs, the runner's position, and where the infielders are standing. Don't make the call just because the option is there.

Get comfortable with Triangle first

On a PlayStation controller, holding Triangle puts your hitter into a bunting position. Simple enough. The harder part is choosing a pitch you can actually handle. Watch the ball leave the pitcher's hand instead of staring at your batter's animation. For a sacrifice attempt, getting set early gives you a chance to judge the delivery. A drag bunt involves a later commitment, so practice it separately rather than treating both approaches as identical. If the pitch looks out of reach, don't force contact. A bunt attempt doesn't turn a poor pitch into a useful one.

Give yourself a pitch worth bunting

A pitcher like Dylan Cease makes this uncomfortable because velocity leaves you less time to react. You might prepare for something firm, then find yourself reaching as the ball changes direction. That's where patience matters. Look for a manageable pitch rather than deciding that the next delivery must become a bunt. Contact alone isn't the goal, either. A ball popped into the air can leave your runner stuck and hand the defense an easy out. Try to keep the attempt controlled, and notice which pitch locations repeatedly cause trouble during practice.

Situation	Main consideration
Moving a runner	Outs and runner position
Trying for a hit	Speed and defensive positioning
Using a power hitter	Value of a normal swing

Speed helps after contact

Alek Thomas offers a different kind of opportunity from Hernandez. With a quicker runner, making the defense hurry becomes part of the plan. But speed won't rescue a ball lifted straight to an infielder. Check the player's bunting attributes as well as running ability, then look at the defensive setup. Is there room to place the ball Will a corner infielder reach it immediately Those questions matter more than simply choosing the fastest hitter. Sometimes the better play is to keep the bat back and work the count.

Practice with a purpose

Give each practice session one job. Work on recognizing suitable pitches, then try sacrifice attempts and drag attempts separately. Pay attention to misses, lifted contact, and balls fielded too easily. You'll learn more from those patterns than from repeating the same input without watching the result. Whether you're browsing MLB Stubs for sale or working with your existing roster, keep player selection separate from execution. A useful bunt starts with a sensible decision, followed by contact that gives your runner a chance.