MLB 26 Weekend Classic Guide deGrom and PCA

The next Weekend Classic is coming at a perfect time for players who want to take advantage of the current Supercharged cards. Jacob deGrom and Pete Crow-Armstrong (PCA) both have seven-day boosts, making them two of the most useful temporary upgrades for your Diamond Dynasty lineup. If you are also managing your MLB The Show 26 Stubs, these temporary upgrades can help you strengthen your roster without making unnecessary changes.

You do not need to completely rebuild your team around them. The easiest approach is to put them in the spots where their boosted attributes can make the biggest difference and keep the rest of your lineup comfortable and familiar.

Why Use deGrom and PCA?

Jacob deGrom

deGrom is the biggest priority for the rotation. His Supercharged boost gives him major improvements to his pitching attributes, including velocity, control, and strikeout ability.

If you already like using deGrom, this is a great time to put him at the top of your rotation. His boosted version can give you a strong advantage, especially when you are trying to build a winning streak.

Pete Crow-Armstrong

PCA should be your starting center fielder while the boost is active.

His biggest strengths are speed and defense. He can cover a lot of ground in center field, making him especially useful against hitters who rely on deep fly balls and balls into the gaps.

His speed also gives you another way to create offense when he gets on base.

Recommended Lineup

Outfield

CF: Pete Crow-Armstrong

This is the easiest decision. Keep PCA in center field and take advantage of his boosted defense and speed.

LF: Your Best Comfortable Option

Use a left fielder you already trust. A good combination of hitting, speed, and defense is ideal, but you do not need to replace a player you consistently hit well with just because another card has a higher overall.

RF: Power or Balanced Hitter

Right field is a good place for one of your stronger power bats. If you prefer a more balanced lineup, use a hitter who can provide both contact and power.

Keep the Infield Simple

At catcher, look for reliable hitting and solid defense. You do not need to chase the highest-rated card if you struggle with its swing.

At first base, prioritize power. This is one of the best spots to put a hitter who can punish mistakes and produce extra-base hits.

For second base, shortstop, and third base, balance matters more. Speed, defense, and reliable hitting can help prevent small mistakes from turning into big innings.

At DH, use the hitter you feel most comfortable with. A familiar swing is often more valuable than a small ratings advantage.

The main idea is simple: upgrade your weak spots without changing everything that already works.

Put deGrom at the Top of the Rotation

SP1: Jacob deGrom

Put deGrom at the top of your rotation and use him whenever his stamina allows.

Your next two starters should simply be the pitchers you trust most. There is no need to fill the entire rotation with temporary upgrades.

For your bullpen, carry a few reliable setup arms and a closer you are comfortable using in close games. If you have a lead late, do not wait too long to bring in your best relievers.

How to Play With This Setup

The early games are important, so avoid giving away easy runs.

With deGrom on the mound, attack the strike zone and use his velocity to challenge hitters. Do not rely on the same pitch repeatedly, though. Good opponents will quickly adjust if your pitching becomes predictable.

On defense, let PCA's range work for you. Balls that might normally become extra-base hits can turn into routine outs with a strong center fielder.

When PCA reaches base, use his speed intelligently. Taking an extra base or putting pressure on the defense can create scoring opportunities without needing to hit a home run.

Just avoid forcing steals or aggressive baserunning when the situation does not call for it.

A Few Things to Check Before Playing

Before starting your games, make sure deGrom and PCA still have the Supercharged indicator on their cards. The boosts are temporary, so you want to confirm they are active before building your lineup around them.

Also, do not completely abandon players you already perform well with. If you have a hitter whose swing you know extremely well, keeping him in the lineup can be more valuable than chasing another boosted card.

Final Setup

If I were putting together a simple Weekend Classic lineup around these two Supercharged players, my priorities would be:

• CF: Pete Crow-Armstrong
• SP1: Jacob deGrom
• LF/RF: Best familiar hitters
• Infield: Reliable defense + balanced hitting
• DH: Most comfortable power bat
• Bullpen: Best setup arms and closer

You do not need the highest-rated lineup possible. You need a lineup that you know how to use.

Lock PCA into center field, put deGrom at the top of the rotation, and keep everything else as familiar as possible. That gives you the benefits of the Supercharged boost without sacrificing the chemistry and swing timing you already have with your main Diamond Dynasty team.

The U4GM Team