Do THIS Before Friday’s Roster Update… EASY Stubs! (MLB The Show 26)

I’ve been glued to the market the last couple days because Friday’s roster update is dropping May 8, and if you’re not positioned right now, you’re leaving a ton of stubs on the table. I’ve seen too many people wake up Saturday morning kicking themselves because they didn’t move on the right cards.

This is one of those rare windows in MLB The Show 26 where the game basically tells you when big money is coming. Roster updates adjust Live Series cards based on real MLB performance, and the market always reacts hard. I’ve been grinding Mini Seasons and checking the ShowZone predictor nonstop, and I’ve already flipped a few things for solid gains. Here’s exactly what smart players are doing before the update hits.

How Roster Updates Actually Print Stubs

Every couple weeks (usually Fridays) the game updates player ratings based on what’s happening in real baseball. A Gold card sitting at a couple thousand stubs can jump to Diamond overnight, and the quick-sell value basically triples. I’ve seen Golds bought for around 1,000 stubs sell for 3,000+ after an upgrade with zero marketplace tax on the quick-sell.

The reason this works so well right now is that we’re still early in the year and the first big attribute update is coming. Prices haven’t fully adjusted yet, which means there’s still room to get in before the crowd catches on. The ShowZone Roster Update Predictor has been lighting up with hot streaks on certain players, and that’s where the real edge is.

The Best Things to Do Right Now (And Why)

Roster Update Investing – The Real Stub Printer
The reason I’m focused here is because it’s the most predictable way to make big stubs in the game. Target Gold players who are performing well in real life and have room to jump to Diamond. Young breakouts and comeback guys are especially juicy because one good week can send their overall flying.

I’ve been looking at guys like Yordan Alvarez who’s been raking lately. The reason he’s on my radar is his current price still has upside if he keeps this pace. Same with some Silver guys who could make the leap. You don’t need millions of stubs to start — even 10-20K can get you several solid flips if you pick right.

Grinding While You Wait
The reason I’m still running Mini Seasons on Rookie is simple: fast games, easy missions, and you can knock out a bunch while watching something else. Conquest maps are great too for territory rewards and repeatable content. These modes give you the stubs you need to buy more cards before prices start climbing. I usually do 2-3 Mini Seasons a day right now just to keep the stub count moving.

Marketplace Flipping & Binder Cleanup
Sell anything you’re not actively using that’s already inflated. The reason this matters before the update is that some cards are riding hype that might cool off once new ratings drop. Clean out the low-value stuff in your binder and turn it into capital for smarter buys. I cleared about 15K stubs doing this yesterday alone.

Quick Investment Tier Breakdown

The reason I’m spreading across tiers instead of going all-in on one player is simple — diversification keeps you from getting wrecked if one prediction misses.

Step-by-Step Pre-Update Checklist (Do This Today)

I’ve been running through this exact list every day leading up to May 8:

• Pull up the ShowZone Roster Update Predictor and check current hot streaks.
• Sell anything in your binder you don’t need for the next week or two.
• Buy 3-5 targeted Golds or Silvers with upgrade potential (start small if you’re new).
• Knock out a couple Mini Seasons or Conquest games for extra stubs.
• Set price alerts on cards you want to flip after the update drops.

If you’re short on starting capital and want to test some flips without the long grind, a lot of players grab extras from U4GM.com to get rolling faster. No shame in it when you’re trying to build momentum before a big update.

Myths People Keep Believing (And Why They’re Wrong)

Myth 1: “It’s just gambling.”
The reason that’s not true is because tools like the Roster Update Predictor and real MLB stats take most of the guesswork out. It’s still not 100% guaranteed, but it’s way more reliable than random marketplace flips.

Myth 2: “You need millions to make real money.”
I started with way less than that and turned it into six figures across a couple updates. Small, smart buys add up fast.

Myth 3: “Everything tanks after the update.”
Some cards do drop, but well-chosen ones often hold value or keep climbing. The key is knowing when to sell.

Advanced Tips Most Players Miss

Timing your sells right after the update but before the market gets flooded is huge. Also, don’t sleep on Silver cards — some of the biggest percentage gains come from them jumping to Gold. And always keep a little stub reserve in case something crazy drops in price and becomes a steal.

I’ve been doing this cycle for a while now and the players who treat roster updates like an actual strategy instead of just hoping for the best are the ones pulling in the real numbers.

My Honest Take

Look, I love grinding and playing the game, but roster updates are where the real fun (and real stubs) happen for me. There’s something satisfying about spotting a player on a heater, buying in early, and watching the market react exactly how you predicted. The May 8 update is going to be a good one, and the people who prepare now are going to wake up Saturday with way fatter stub counts than everyone else.

So here’s my question for you: What are you buying or selling before Friday? Drop your plays in the comments — I actually read them and I’m always curious what everyone else is seeing. And if you try any of these flips, come back and let me know how it went. I’ll be right here grinding with you.

Stay sharp out there. The market waits for no one.