MLB The Show 23: Best Teams To Join As A Starting Pitcher

Game ZXC

MLB The Show 23

By Hodey Johns

Published Mar 24, 2023

Picking a team to play starting pitcher for in MLB The Show 23 is the toughest decision. Road to the Show roster choice is easy for other positions, they simply find good teams with a single problem spot and have the player fill in. Yet starting pitchers can't follow the same formula.

Starting pitchers work on a rotation, so players will need to find a find with multiple bad starting pitchers. However, not all of the pitching staff can be bad, otherwise the team is doomed when it comes time to play in the world series. Plus, teams will only take about three starters into the playoffs. It's the most fun position in MLB The Show 23 and there are a few teams that fit this extremely narrow criteria.

New York Mets

MLB The Show 23 Mets Starting Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	98
Starting Pitcher 2	96
Starting Pitcher 3	78
Starting Pitcher 4	78
Starting Pitcher 5	76
Relief Pitcher	79
Closing Pitcher	92
Catcher	72
First Baseman	90
Second Baseman	82
Third Baseman	75
Shortstop	89
Left Fielder	72
Center Fielder	80
Right Fielder	81

Patient players who are in it for the long haul will find the Mets are a great long-term team. Getting into the starting rotation will take a 76 rating which may take a few months to hit. However, to be one of the three starters in the playoffs, gamers only need to beat a 78.

The other two pitchers are rated an extreme 98 and 96. This is a team that can win exclusively on the backs of their starters. Derek Jeter may make it into the game as a captain, but even he'd struggle against a starting three this dominant. In addition to pitching, the Mets have a solid offense, currently top-rated in terms of contact.

Philadelphia Phillies

MLB The Show 23 Phillies Starting Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	91
Starting Pitcher 2	90
Starting Pitcher 3	80
Starting Pitcher 4	79
Starting Pitcher 5	72
Relief Pitcher	76
Closing Pitcher	82
Catcher	90
First Baseman	84
Second Baseman	72
Third Baseman	73
Shortstop	92
Left Fielder	78
Center Fielder	71
Right Fielder	95

Similar to the Mets, the Phillies have two 90+ players as their one-two punch. After that, the quality drops off to 80 and under. Players who want to be part of the off-season drama will find they can write a happy ending for the Phillies.

The Phillies are the fastest team in baseball and that is usually good for at least a few runs in every game. Superstar pitchers will discover that that's all the support they need to rack up several wins and get Philadelphia back to the World Series.

Los Angeles Angels

MLB The Show 23 Angels Starting Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	99
Starting Pitcher 2	83
Starting Pitcher 3	78
Starting Pitcher 4	76
Starting Pitcher 5	76
Relief Pitcher	76
Closing Pitcher	67
Catcher	70
First Baseman	82
Second Baseman	74
Third Baseman	77
Shortstop	74
Left Fielder	81
Center Fielder	99
Right Fielder	86

Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout are two 99-rated players on this roster that continue to be so popular among fans that it keeps the game being multi-platform to meet demands. However, the Angels have not been able to make it to the World Series despite this roster.

Like the Mets, players may need a few months in the minor leagues to get on the roster, needing a 77 to get a spot. But that coveted third spot only requires a 79. And it doesn't need to be said that Trout, Ohtani, and company will provide plenty of run support.

Atlanta Braves

MLB The Show 23 Braves Starting Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	94
Starting Pitcher 2	90
Starting Pitcher 3	82
Starting Pitcher 4	79
Starting Pitcher 5	79
Relief Pitcher	85
Closing Pitcher	84
Catcher	83
First Baseman	87
Second Baseman	82
Third Baseman	93
Shortstop	72
Left Fielder	73
Center Fielder	89
Right Fielder	92

The biggest drawback to playing for the Braves is that the lowest-rated starting pitcher is 79, which is fairly high. It may take half the season to reach this height. However, after making the roster, players only need to hit a manageable 83 to be the third starter and make the playoff cut.

The perks may be worth waiting for. The Braves are the highest-rated team in the game, tops in both pitching and power. It's a dream situation for pitchers that demand the best from their squad.

Toronto Blue Jays

MLB The Show 23 Blue Jays Starting Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	88
Starting Pitcher 2	86
Starting Pitcher 3	82
Starting Pitcher 4	76
Starting Pitcher 5	73
Relief Pitcher	78
Closing Pitcher	82
Catcher	86
First Baseman	88
Second Baseman	78
Third Baseman	85
Shortstop	84
Left Fielder	80
Center Fielder	76
Right Fielder	88

Toronto is in the top nine in every major category: speed, contact, power, defense, and pitching. They have a severely weak link for their fifth starting pitching spot at a 73. Players should be able to make this roster very early and slowly work up to 83 for the third spot.

This team has many ways to win. They've been plagued with too many close and unfortunate losses. For players, they can turn many of those close losses into close wins and give this team a quick championship.

MLB The Show 23 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.