The MLB The Show 26 Diamond Dynasty market has been dominated by one name recently: Chase Burns. After his strong real-life performances, Burns has received major attention in the game with both his upgraded Live Series 85 Diamond card and the powerful 2026 All-Star Game 96 Diamond card.
Many players are now wondering which version deserves a spot in their rotation. While both cards feature elite velocity and dangerous pitches, they are designed for completely different situations.
The Live Series card is a high-upside option that can dominate casual games, while the ASG 96 Diamond version is built for Ranked Seasons and high-level competition.
Chase Burns Live 85 Diamond vs ASG 96 Diamond Comparison
| Attribute | Live Series 85 Diamond | ASG 96 Diamond | Gameplay Difference |
| H/9 | 87 / 74 | 99 / 94 | ASG version creates a much smaller PCI window and limits hitter success. |
| K/9 | 67 / 79 | 80 / 95 | Higher strikeout ratings improve swing-and-miss ability. |
| Control | 39 | 81 | The biggest upgrade. ASG Burns can consistently hit corners instead of missing over the plate. |
| Pitching Clutch | 86 | 125 | The All-Star card performs much better with runners on base. |
| Pitch Mix | 4-Seam Fastball, Slider, Circle Change, Sinker | Same Pitch Mix | Similar weapons, but ASG Burns has better movement and execution. |
Live Series Chase Burns: Powerful But Risky
The Live Series Chase Burns card is still extremely fun to use.
His biggest strength is raw power. With elite velocity and strong breaking pitches, Burns can overwhelm hitters who struggle against fastballs. His slider and circle change combination also creates plenty of strikeout opportunities.
For players competing at lower difficulties or building a budget Diamond Dynasty team, this card provides excellent value.
However, the biggest weakness is his 39 Control rating.
Even with Pinpoint Pitching, the large PAR area makes perfect placement much harder. A slightly inaccurate pitch can easily end up in the middle of the strike zone, giving experienced hitters a chance to hit home runs.
The Live Series version is a great card for aggressive players, but it becomes much harder to use against top-level opponents.
ASG 96 Diamond Chase Burns: The True Endgame Version
The 2026 All-Star Chase Burns card completely changes the experience.
The upgrade is not only about the overall rating. The combination of 99 H/9, 95 K/9, 81 Control, and 125 Pitching Clutch makes this card much more reliable in competitive games.
The biggest improvements include:
Better pitch location consistency
Smaller PCI against hitters
More reliable strikeout potential
Stronger performance in pressure situations
The 125 Pitching Clutch attribute is especially important. When runners reach base, the card maintains its effectiveness instead of losing control.
For Ranked Seasons players, this version is clearly the better choice. It provides the same elite velocity as the Live card but removes the biggest weakness.
Players who bought Chase Burns before his Diamond upgrade have a great opportunity to take profits.
With his rating increase, the card’s Quick Sell value has reached around 3,000 Stubs. If you invested early at lower Silver or Gold prices, selling during the July hype period can secure a strong return.
Holding for another upgrade is risky because moving beyond an 85 Diamond rating requires a major performance jump.
The ASG 96 Diamond version is one of the best value starting pitchers currently available.
At around 8,900+ Stubs, this card provides elite-level pitching without requiring a huge investment. For players who need a reliable starter, this is one of the easiest upgrades to recommend.
Several young pitchers have received attention in MLB The Show 26, but Chase Burns has an advantage beyond his attributes.
His unique pitching motion and release point make his pitches harder for opponents to read. In competitive games, pitcher animations can create a major advantage because hitters have less reaction time.
This hidden mechanical advantage makes Burns more dangerous than his ratings suggest.
The Live Series 85 Diamond is a fun budget option with elite velocity and strong strikeout ability. It is perfect for players who want a powerful pitcher without spending many MLB The Show 26 Stubs.
The ASG 96 Diamond Chase Burns is the real competitive weapon. With better control, clutch performance, and elite H/9 ratings, it is the version that belongs in serious Diamond Dynasty rotations.
For investors, sell the Live upgrade while the market is hot. For competitive players, the All-Star version is the card to own.
The U4GM Team