In MLB The Show 26, one of the most talked-about mechanics is the Confidence System. If you’ve played any of the previous games in the series, you might have heard of this before, but it has seen some tweaks and adjustments in the latest edition. Understanding how confidence works can give you a serious edge in gameplay, especially when you’re trying to figure out how to control your pitcher’s performance or optimize your hitting. This guide will break it down, answer your most common questions, and give you some practical advice for how to manage your confidence level during a game.
What Is the Confidence System?
In MLB The Show 26, confidence measures how well your players are performing in the game. Both pitchers and hitters have confidence levels, but they affect gameplay in different ways.
Pitcher Confidence: Pitcher confidence determines how effective your pitcher will be. The higher the confidence, the more likely your pitcher will execute pitches as intended, throw strikes, and avoid giving up hard hits. Low pitcher confidence, on the other hand, can cause pitches to miss their target, resulting in walks, home runs, or even quick hooks from the manager.
Hitter Confidence: For hitters, confidence works similarly. A player with high confidence is more likely to make solid contact with the ball and have better results at the plate. A hitter with low confidence may struggle to make consistent contact, leading to a higher number of strikeouts or weak hits.
How Is Confidence Affected?
Confidence isn’t a static number. It fluctuates based on in-game performance, and it can change quickly based on what’s happening in the game. Here’s how different things can affect confidence:

• For pitchers:
  • Good performance boosts confidence: If your pitcher starts off well, getting outs and limiting walks, their confidence will rise. This means better control, sharper pitches, and overall stronger performance.
  • Bad performance lowers confidence: If your pitcher starts giving up runs, throwing wild pitches, or struggling with control, their confidence will drop. This can lead to even worse outcomes as the game progresses.
• For hitters:
  • Good performance boosts confidence: When a batter gets on base, gets a hit, or even just has a good at-bat (like a well-hit foul ball or a long walk), their confidence increases. They’re more likely to keep the momentum going and get more hits as a result.
  • Bad performance lowers confidence: On the flip side, if a batter strikes out or fails to get on base in their previous at-bat, their confidence will drop. This can make subsequent at-bats more difficult.

How Do You Know the Confidence Level?
The confidence levels are displayed on-screen, making it easy for players to track the performance of both pitchers and hitters. You'll see a confidence meter for pitchers during their innings, and you can check the hitting confidence in the batter’s box. Keep an eye on these meters, especially if you’re playing in a high-pressure game or facing a tough opponent.
In addition to the in-game display, you can also check your players' confidence levels through the lineup screen or the pre-game menu. This will give you a preview of what to expect in the upcoming game.
What Happens When Confidence Is Low?
When your pitcher’s confidence drops, you’ll notice a few things. First, your pitcher will start missing their pitches more often. Fastballs may miss the strike zone, breaking balls might hang, and even your best pitches can turn into meatballs. This can lead to big innings for your opponent and eventually a pulled pitcher. If your pitcher’s confidence drops too much, you’ll be at risk of giving up multiple runs, and that could put you in a difficult position.
For hitters, low confidence means they’re more likely to make weak contact, miss the ball completely, or struggle with timing. It’s important to recognize this before you get into a rut. You don’t want your entire lineup’s confidence to plummet, as this can cause a complete lack of offense.
How Do You Boost Confidence?
Confidence is something you can control to an extent. Here’s how to manage it and keep it high:

• For pitchers:
  • Pitch to contact: If you’re struggling with a pitcher’s confidence, one thing you can do is pitch more conservatively. Rather than trying to get every batter to strike out, focus on getting easy outs. Don’t waste pitches—throw strikes and let your defense help you out.
  • Mix up your pitches: Pitchers who use a wide variety of pitches tend to have better results. If you only throw fastballs, hitters will catch on quickly. Keep things interesting by mixing up fastballs, breaking balls, and changeups.
  • Avoid walks: Walks are confidence killers for pitchers. They put pressure on your defense and make your pitcher more likely to give up a big hit. Control is key, so focus on throwing strikes and avoiding free passes.
• For hitters:
  • Work the count: One way to build confidence for a hitter is by working the count. Even if you don’t get a hit, if you can foul off a few tough pitches and work the pitcher into a deeper count, you’ll eventually get a pitch to hit. This helps to improve your confidence over time.
  • Don’t swing at everything: If you’re struggling, don’t force it. Trying to swing at every pitch, especially pitches out of the strike zone, can lead to more strikeouts and further damage your confidence. Stay patient and wait for your pitch.
  • Take advantage of situational hitting: Sometimes, it’s not all about swinging for the fences. Focus on getting base hits or moving runners over. This can help slowly rebuild confidence.

Is There a Way to Fix Confidence Quickly?
In MLB The Show 26, you can’t instantly fix low confidence mid-game. However, you can make decisions that will help in the long term. For example, if your pitcher is struggling, it might be best to pull him early and bring in a fresh arm. Similarly, if a hitter is in a bad slump, sometimes benching them for a few games can help reset their confidence.
However, one option that some players choose to get a slight edge and keep grinding in-game is by buying MLB 26 stubs no ban for upgrades and cosmetics. While stubs won’t directly affect player confidence in gameplay, they can be used to improve your team and create a more favorable environment for better overall performance.
Why Confidence Matters
In MLB The Show 26, managing confidence is one of those subtle mechanics that can have a huge impact on your success. A high-confidence pitcher or hitter is much more reliable than one who’s struggling. Understanding how to track, influence, and manage confidence levels throughout a game can help you make smarter decisions, keep your players performing at their best, and avoid making costly mistakes that could derail your momentum.
The key is staying aware of how your players are performing and making adjustments on the fly. Whether it’s pulling a pitcher with low confidence or sitting a struggling hitter for a game or two, small adjustments can lead to big improvements. Ultimately, confidence is a reflection of your players’ state of mind—and in baseball, as in life, a positive mindset often leads to better results.