In MLB The Show 26, Michael King’s 92 OVR Mexico City Series Diamond card has quickly become one of the hottest pitchers in Diamond Dynasty. Between his elite break, versatile pitch mix, and special quirks, he can dominate games if used correctly. Here’s how to unlock him and get the most out of his card.
How to Unlock Michael King
There are three main ways to get King:
Mexico City Series Program
King is a reward in the Program XP path. To earn him, complete Moments that recreate his real-life highlights and missions using San Diego Padres players. Focus on strikeouts, innings pitched, and other program-specific objectives to accumulate XP fast.
Event Wins
During the Mexico City Series live event, winning a set number of games—usually 5 to 10—will unlock a choice pack containing King. Plan your lineup carefully to stack Padres pitchers and batters to complete stat missions at the same time.
Community Marketplace
If you’d rather skip the grind, you can buy King directly. Prices fluctuate between 35,000–48,000 Stubs, depending on demand. This is the fastest way to grab him if you have the currency ready.
Michael King Player Attributes (92 OVR Version)
Velocity: 90 MPH
Break: 99 (Elite)
Control: 68 (Requires precise timing)
Key Pitches: Sinker (Primary), Sweeper, Circle Change, 4-Seam Fastball
Quirks: Homebody, Night Player
King’s strength comes from his movement-heavy pitches, not raw velocity. His Break rating makes him extremely tough to square up, especially if you mix speeds and tunnel pitches properly.
Pitching Strategies
1. Tunnel the Sinker and Sweeper
King’s Sinker (94 MPH) and Sweeper (82 MPH) look identical out of his hand but break in opposite directions. Use the Sinker inside to right-handed hitters, then follow up with the Sweeper away. This combo forces weak contact and swing-and-miss opportunities.
2. Master the Sweeper
With 99 Break, the Sweeper is devastating. Start it in the middle of the zone and let it slide completely out. Against both CPU and human opponents, this pitch alone can rack up strikeouts if used consistently.
3. Use Active Quirks
King’s Homebody and Night Player quirks give him a real edge. He’s more effective in home stadiums and night games, with increased PCI penalties for the batter. Time your games to exploit this whenever possible.
4. Manage Energy Wisely
His stamina is lower than typical starters, usually around 85–90. Once his energy drops into the yellow zone, his movement and control drop sharply. Be ready to bring in a reliever by the 6th inning to maintain your advantage.
5. Quick Tips for Different Opponents
CPU: Spam the Circle Change low and away to induce weak contact.
Human opponents: Lean on the Sinker to the hands to force ground balls and keep pitch counts low. Mix in the Sweeper to punch out hitters when needed.
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