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Here’s a detailed guide on MLB The Show 25 Stubs the Best Strategies for Diamond Quest (DQ) Runs on GOAT Difficulty in MLB The Show 25. GOAT is the toughest difficulty in Diamond Dynasty’s solo or co-op Diamond Quest mode — with CPU opponents reacting like elite players. But with the right approach, you can farm rewards, XP, and Stubs consistently.

What Is GOAT Difficulty in Diamond Quest?

GOAT difficulty is Hall of Fame+ level pitching and Legend-level hitting with CPU logic boosted. Reaction times are faster, AI pitch sequencing is smarter, and mistakes are punished hard. However, completing runs at this level earns you:

Huge XP boosts

Pack rewards

GOAT-tier card progression (used in some evolution/Incognito quests)

Stubs per run + flipping potential

Best Team Composition for GOAT Runs

Focus on meta-heavy builds that offer consistency, defense, and control:

Hitters

Contact > Power: On Legend difficulty, contact rate and PCI size matter more.

Prioritize:

110+ Contact vs R/L

80+ Vision

70+ Discipline

Top Examples:

Tony Gwynn (99) – elite contact, speed

Mauer, Ichiro, Wade Boggs, Luis Arraez

Defense

Defensive ratings must be 85+ at key positions: SS, CF, Catcher.

Poor defense will ruin you on GOAT.

Use P5 cards with better fielding animations (ex: Ozzie Smith)

Pitchers

Use starters with:

Outlier or sinker/cutter mix

High K/9 & BB/9 (≥90)

Fast slide-step delivery

Best GOAT pitchers:

Jacob deGrom 99, Pedro Martinez, Cliff Lee, Logan Webb

Best In-Game Strategy for GOAT Runs

1. Don’t Chase Early Runs

Play small ball for the first 3 innings. Work counts.

Wait for hanging off-speed or walk chances.

2. Bunt + Steal Against CPU

CPU can’t handle repeated bunts + hit-and-run on lower power hitters.

Use players like:

Kenny Lofton, Ricky Henderson, Mookie Betts

3. Pitching Approach

Mix speeds. Use:

High fastballs

Low sinkers

Front-door cutters

0–2 waste pitches

NEVER throw high off-speed or center fastballs.

4. Bullpen Usage

Use meta relievers every 2 innings:

Devin Williams, Josh Hader, Mariano Rivera

Pinch hit in the 7th if you’re down and rotate bullpen early.

5. Use Fielding Shifts Smartly

Turn off auto-shift.

Manually adjust OF depth and INF position based on tendencies.

CPU adapts quickly — break their rhythm with new shifts each inning.

Extra Meta Tactics

Preload Lineup Tactics

Put lefties in 2–3–5 slots to break up tough CPU right-handers.

Use righties with inside-out swings against meta lefties (e.g. Yelich, Glavine).

PCI Placement + Discipline

Always start PCI middle-in.

Don’t swing until 2 strikes unless it’s meatball timing.

Avoid trying to power swing. Focus on foul-offs to build pitch count.

Take Advantage of CPU Bullpen

CPU relievers tend to hang 2-strike off-speed after the 6th.

Pinch hit with power threats like:

Judge, Vlad Jr., Giancarlo Stanton

Best Reward Farming Structure

Run 3–4 GOAT games per day

Focus on winning 1–2 before retrying if you lose early.

You still earn progress for Diamond Quest XP, even in losses.

Play After Roster Updates

GOAT runs feel slightly easier after content drops, as server-side adjustments sometimes lower pitch randomness.

Best times to run:

Friday nights

Sunday afternoon (post-update)

Tuesday pre-event

Final Tips

Don’t get discouraged: GOAT is brutal.

Play defensively, work counts, and use meta-bats.

Practice Legend difficulty in cheap MLB The Show 25 Stubs Custom Practice Mode with live MLB pitchers.

Log every reward — flipping GOAT Pack cards is a big NMS Stub generator.