MLB The Show 26: How to Use "Custom Sliders" to Practice Against the CPU -
NightBlade - 10.03.2026
What Are Custom Sliders and Why Do They Matter?
Sliders in MLB The Show 26 are adjustable settings that control how the game behaves. They influence both pitching and hitting, as well as fielding, baserunning, and other aspects of gameplay. Custom sliders allow you to fine-tune the difficulty of the CPU to match your current skill level.
Many players think difficulty levels alone (like Rookie, Veteran, or Hall of Fame) are enough. The problem is these presets don’t account for specific areas where you may want to improve. For example, you might struggle with timing pitches but have no trouble fielding. Custom sliders let you adjust only the things you need to work on, making practice more focused and effective.
How to Access Custom Sliders
To set custom sliders in MLB The Show 26:
From the main menu, go to Settings.
Select Gameplay.
Scroll down to Sliders.
Choose Custom Sliders.
Here, you can adjust settings for both the pitcher and hitter. Each slider has a default range from 0 to 100, allowing detailed customization.
Key Sliders to Focus On
If your goal is to practice hitting against the CPU, pay attention to these sliders:
Pitch Speed: Adjusts how fast the CPU throws pitches. Slowing it down slightly can help you get a feel for timing. Speeding it up challenges your reflexes once you’re ready.
Pitch Accuracy: Controls how often the CPU hits the strike zone. Lowering accuracy will help you work on patience and pitch recognition.
Pitch Selection: Determines how frequently certain types of pitches appear. For example, increasing curveballs helps you practice tracking breaking balls.
Contact: Influences how easily the CPU can make contact. Lowering this lets you see more swings and misses, which can teach you to wait for better pitches.
For pitching practice:
CPU Batter Contact: Reducing it will let you focus on perfecting your pitch location without worrying about constant hits.
CPU Batter Power: Lowering this ensures that home runs are less likely during practice sessions, keeping the session focused on skill development.
Pitch Speed and Break: Adjust these to simulate faster or trickier pitch combinations.
Practicing with Custom Sliders
Custom sliders allow you to simulate specific scenarios. For instance, if you want to practice hitting sliders low and away, you can increase CPU pitch selection for sliders and reduce pitch accuracy. You’ll see more of these pitches, letting you focus on timing and swing mechanics.
When practicing pitching, you can lower the CPU batter’s contact and increase speed or break to challenge yourself with more realistic at-bats. This helps you prepare for online or competitive games, where the CPU may mimic the reaction patterns of real players.
Adjusting Gradually
The key to effective use of custom sliders is gradual adjustment. Start with settings that are comfortable but slightly challenging. As your skill improves, incrementally increase the difficulty of the CPU. This keeps practice productive without feeling discouraging. Many experienced players recommend adjusting only one or two sliders at a time to avoid overwhelming changes in gameplay.
Simulating Real-Game Scenarios
One of the best ways to use custom sliders is to simulate real-game scenarios. For example:
Late-Inning Pressure: Increase CPU difficulty slightly and reduce your team’s hitting ability to mimic clutch situations.
Runners in Scoring Position: Increase CPU pitching accuracy when runners are on second or third to practice strategic hitting and situational awareness.
Pitching to a Slugger: Set high CPU batter power and contact for a single hitter to practice difficult at-bats.
This type of targeted practice can drastically improve your understanding of the game and prepare you for tougher challenges.
Using Custom Sliders with Other Features
Custom sliders work well in combination with other tools. Pair them with training modes, simulated games, and situational practice to get the most out of each session. For instance, practicing clutch situations with sliders while tracking pitch types can help you learn how to read the CPU and anticipate pitches, which is a crucial skill for online play.
Additionally, if you’re trying to build your team or acquire
MLB The Show 26 stubs instant delivery , using custom sliders during practice allows you to earn rewards safely without risking losses in online matches. This is a subtle but effective way to combine skill development with in-game progression.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Even experienced players can make mistakes when using custom sliders. Avoid these common pitfalls:
Making Sliders Too Hard or Too Easy: Extreme settings can lead to bad habits or frustration. The goal is consistent, realistic practice.
Changing Multiple Sliders at Once: This makes it hard to identify which adjustment is improving or harming your performance.
Ignoring Situational Context: Always practice in scenarios that reflect real gameplay, rather than just generic games.
Monitoring Your Progress
Track your improvement by recording stats from your practice sessions. Note how well you hit different pitch types, your batting average, strikeout rate, and pitch accuracy if pitching. Over time, you’ll notice which sliders need fine-tuning and which areas of your game have improved.
Many experienced players suggest keeping a baseline set of sliders and only adjusting temporarily for specific drills. This way, you have a controlled environment for skill development.
Custom sliders in MLB The Show 26 are a powerful tool for anyone looking to improve against the CPU. By focusing on specific areas like pitch timing, contact, and strategic situations, you can create highly effective practice sessions that translate directly to better performance in both single-player and online modes. Remember to start small, adjust gradually, and monitor your progress to make the most out of your practice time. Combined with in-game rewards and resources like MLB The Show 26 stubs instant delivery, you can both improve your skills and strengthen your team without unnecessary risk.
Practicing smart with custom sliders doesn’t just make you a better player—it makes every game more rewarding because you understand why each pitch, swing, or play works the way it does. Consistency, focus, and a little patience are the keys to getting the most out of this powerful feature.