MLB The Show 26 Spooky Program Guide: How to Get J.R. Richard and Willie Mays

The Spooky Program arrived in MLB The Show 26, bringing two 99 OVR player cards to Diamond Dynasty: Spooky J.R. Richard and Spooky Willie Mays. Both are valuable additions to a lineup or pitching rotation, but they come from different reward paths.

J.R. Richard is available through the Spooky Program reward track, while Willie Mays is earned by completing the Spooky Conquest map. If you want both cards, understanding these two paths is the best way to plan your progress and collect the other rewards along the way.

How to Get 99 OVR J.R. Richard

Spooky J.R. Richard is the 99 OVR starting pitcher reward in the Spooky Program. To find the program, open Diamond Dynasty and navigate to Programs, then Assorted Programs, Themed, and Spooky Program.

The current reward information lists J.R. Richard at the 20-point milestone, alongside 4,000 XP. Completing the Spooky Conquest objective is currently listed as a way to earn 20 program points, making it the most direct starting point for players who want the featured pitcher.

Richard plays for the Houston Astros in this card version and throws right-handed. His key attributes include:

• 125 Stamina: Useful for keeping him in the game longer when his energy and performance allow it.
• 125 Pitching Clutch: A major strength in high-pressure situations.
• 125 H/9 against right-handed hitters: Helps limit opposing right-handed batters' ability to make solid contact.
• 125 K/9 against right-handed hitters: Supports a strikeout-focused approach against right-handed opponents.

His pitch mix includes a four-seam fastball, slider, cutter, and sinker. These pitches give him several ways to challenge hitters, change locations, and work through an opposing lineup. Use the fastball to establish velocity, then mix in the slider, cutter, and sinker to keep hitters from sitting on one pitch.

Richard is a strong option for players who want a high-rated starter with excellent stamina and strikeout potential. However, his effectiveness still depends on pitch selection, location, and reading your opponent. Avoid becoming predictable by repeatedly throwing the same pitch in the same location.

How to Get 99 OVR Willie Mays

Spooky Willie Mays comes from the Spooky Conquest map, not the J.R. Richard reward track. If Mays is your main target, head to Diamond Dynasty's Conquest mode and select the Spooky map.

Mays is a 99 OVR center fielder for the San Francisco Giants in this version. His card combines strong hitting attributes with reliable defense and speed, making him useful in several lineup roles.

Key attributes include:

• 112 Contact against right-handed pitchers
• 115 Contact against left-handed pitchers
• 103 Power against right-handed pitchers
• 110 Power against left-handed pitchers
• 95 Fielding
• 97 Arm Strength
• 95 Speed

These ratings make Mays a balanced option rather than a hitter who relies entirely on power. His contact numbers support consistent at-bats against both handedness matchups, while his power gives him home-run potential. His fielding and speed also help him contribute in center field.

Spooky Conquest Map: Teams and Strategy

The Spooky Conquest map features eight opposing strongholds:

• Baltimore Orioles
• Miami Marlins
• New York Mets
• Houston Astros
• San Francisco Giants
• Chicago White Sox
• Detroit Tigers
• New York Yankees

Before making your first move, open the Conquest View Goals screen and review the current objectives and rewards. This is important because completing the map and earning its associated rewards may involve specific goals, not simply winning a series of games.

Use these tips to make your run more efficient:

1. Check the goals before attacking. Review the objectives first so you know which actions contribute to completion. This helps you avoid spending turns on moves that do not advance your target reward.

2. Build a fan advantage. Conquest involves moving fans across the map and taking control of territory. Expand carefully and use your fan advantage to make stronghold attacks easier where possible.

3. Choose your battles strategically. Attack nearby territories and strongholds when doing so helps you secure a useful route across the map. Check the required difficulty before entering a stronghold game.

4. Claim rewards as you progress. Review the map's goal rewards and make sure you collect everything you have earned. If you plan to repeat the map, check which rewards are repeatable instead of assuming every item can be claimed multiple times.

5. Use Mays in the right lineup role. Once unlocked, consider placing him in center field to take advantage of his defensive ratings and speed. His contact and power numbers also make him a flexible option in the batting order.

Completing Spooky Conquest is the key objective for players pursuing Mays. Current program information also lists Conquest completion as a 20-point route toward the J.R. Richard milestone, making the map an efficient priority if you want both featured cards.

Spooky Program Rewards and Milestones

The Spooky Program reward track contains player rewards, packs, cosmetic items, XP, and mystery rewards. The currently reported milestones are listed below.

Some reward slots are listed as mystery rewards or bonus rewards in current program databases, so check the in-game reward track for the exact item before planning around an unidentified slot. The game may also add more tasks and content during the Spooky Week schedule.

What About the 1,031 Home Run Task?

Some players have noticed a task displaying a requirement to hit 1,031 home runs. That figure appears in current third-party program tracking, but community discussion has questioned whether it represents an actual intended objective.

Do not assume that hitting 1,031 home runs is necessary to unlock J.R. Richard. Instead, check the live task list in Diamond Dynasty for the objectives currently available in your game. Tasks can change as new content is released, and the in-game requirements are the best source for confirming what you need to complete.

For now, prioritize the clearly listed Spooky Conquest objective and monitor the program for additional missions.

Best Order to Complete the Spooky Program

If you want to collect both 99 OVR cards without wasting time, start with the Spooky Conquest map. It is the direct acquisition route for Willie Mays and is also listed as a way to earn the 20 program points associated with J.R. Richard. Save your MLB The Show 26 Stubs for roster upgrades that fit your needs while focusing on these program rewards first.

After completing the map, return to the Spooky Program and confirm that the points and rewards have been credited. Then work through any additional available tasks to collect packs, XP, cosmetics, and later milestones.

Check Diamond Dynasty regularly for new tasks and reward updates rather than relying on an older list of objectives.

For players building a competitive Diamond Dynasty roster, the priority is straightforward: complete Spooky Conquest for Willie Mays, claim J.R. Richard through the program track, and collect the remaining rewards as new objectives become available.

The U4GM Team