In MLB The Show 24, there isn't a position more important than the pitcher. Every batter poses a threat of getting on base, or knocking it out of the park, and a good pitcher who possesses a combination of skilled throws can make the difference between a win and a loss. A team with a strong bullpen can be a threat in the postseason, though not many teams have outstanding pitchers in their arsenal.

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There are a select few who can make a claim to being the best pitcher in MLB The Show 24, but these ten players make a strong case for themselves. Though most teams are lucky to have one of them in their lineup, one team in particular has a pair, and is considered a favorite in the World Series. The teams that fall just outside the top ten may want to lean more on their infield to aid their pitching staff.

10 Kevin Gausman, Toronto Blue Jays - 90

The Toronto Blue Jays saw major improvements from Kevin Gausman, who struck out more batters in one season than in any of his previous years, while allowing fewer hits. His excellence at remaining in games and keeping the Blue Jays in close battles is a major component of the team sneaking into the American League Wild Series, where they dropped a 2-0 decision to the Minnesota Twins.

Gausman's stats are spread out for an attractive choice for the starting pitcher. His Stamina is high enough to keep him in extra innings, and his Break is lethal. His Arm Strength may not be as powerful as others on this list, but the Blue Jays have an excellent starting pitcher in MLB The Show 24, making them a good pick for players who want to compete for a World Series.

9 Zac Gallen, Arizona Diamondbacks - 91

In Zac Gallen's fifth season with the Arizona Diamondbacks, the 28-year-old starting pitcher scored 17 wins while improving his stats all around. His wonderful season helped carry the Diamondbacks to their second franchise World Series appearance, dropping the finale to the Texas Rangers in five games. Without Gallen's services, Arizona's roster looks more ordinary and could be beaten with some solid batting.

One of the areas Gallen excels in the most is his Clutch Pitching stat, which is arguably the most important one for a pitcher to have. Paired with great Break and good Velocity, Gallen can knock them down with relative ease. The Diamondbacks also have some interesting prospects in MLB The Show 24 that could join the starting bullpen and compliment Gallen's dominance in the near future.

8 Tanner Scott, Miami Marlins - 91

It's not often to see a pitcher increase his innings pitched while reducing his earned-run average (ERA) and hits, but that's exactly what Tanner Scott did with the Miami Marlins. For a closing pitcher, teams will want someone who can come in to pitch an inning or two and shut things down, and Scott's ability to do just that is what led the Marlins to sneak their way into the postseason for the second time since changing their city name from Florida to Miami.

Due to Scott's position as a closing pitcher, his stamina is drastically low compared to others on this list. Thankfully, he doesn't need to stay in very long as closing pitchers tend to come in for the final two innings to close out a game and secure victory. Where Scott shines is his perfect Velocity, Break, and Clutch Pitching stats. Combined with an excellent H/9 statistic, Scott will bring some of the best pitches in MLB The Show 24 and frustrate any batter that dares challenge him.

7 Clayton Kershaw, Los Angeles Dodgers - 91

At 36 years old, Clayton Kershaw isn't showing any signs of rust after completing his 16th season with the Los Angeles Dodgers. The veteran starting pitcher amassed 13 wins in 24 starts, his highest in the last five seasons, and managed to reduce the amount of hits and earned runs. The Dodgers have made the playoffs for 11 consecutive seasons with Kershaw taking to the mound, and they'll look to continue that trend in 2024.

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Thanks to a great infield and a starting bullpen most teams dream of having, the Los Angeles Dodgers are one of the best teams in MLB The Show 24. Kershaw's perfect Clutch Pitching stats and solid spread among his H/9, K9, and BB/9 categories make him a well-rounded and versatile pitcher that still has some gas left in the tank. The Dodgers may have a few more seasons of Kershaw's services, but players can bring the World Series back to Los Angeles thanks to his services.

6 Jacob deGrom, Texas Rangers - 92

The Texas Rangers didn't need Jacob deGrom to win the World Series in 2023, as he was reduced to six games before undergoing Tommy John surgery, but they are definitely an even bigger monster with him in the lineup. The 35-year-old starting pitcher spent nine years with the New York Mets before joining the Rangers, signing a five-year contract worth $185 million. Despite not appearing in the Rangers World Series run, deGrom still got his celebratory championship ring.

A perfect Velocity stat and above average Arm Strength and Throwing Accuracy make deGrom a viable threat on the mound, even if a batter connects with one of his pitches. He also packs a heater for a 4-seam fastball, and his slider doesn't give up too much velocity either. The Rangers also have the best shortstop in MLB The Show 24 with Corey Seager, making deGrom's job less stressful if a line drive is hit to his right.

5 David Bednar, Pittsburgh Pirates - 92

It's unfortunate that David Bednar doesn't have the support he needs with the Pittsburgh Pirates, as the team continues to miss the playoffs. Marking an eighth consecutive season without a postseason appearance, not even Bednar's best career season could propel them to contender status. Bednar is nearing his 30th birthday, yet he's aiming for better results in his fourth year with the Pirates, hoping to break their curse of no postseason series wins in the last decade.

For players looking at a fun rebuild in MLB The Show 24, the Pirates are interesting and can easily be built around Bednar's skills. As a closing pitcher, Bednar packs tremendous Clutch Pitching, Velocity, and Break stats, despite being on the low-end in Stamina. With some proper retooling of the infield and outfield, and a better starting bullpen, Bednar could make the postseason for the first time in his career.

4 Zack Wheeler, Philadelphia Phillies - 93

Entering his fifth season with the Philadelphia Phillies, Zack Wheeler has helped shape a team that failed to make the playoffs for a decade into one that routinely makes the postseason and wins a few rounds. They're on the cusp of becoming a serious contender, and the 33-year-old starting pitcher doesn't appear to be running out of steam. Wheeler improved in several categories in 2023, including innings pitched and strikeouts.

The Phillies' real-life success translates well into the video game world, where Wheeler's pitching receives the love it deserves. Wheeler has incredible Velocity and BB/9, and packs enough stamina to play more than half the game. Philadelphia has a well-rounded team with an above-average outfield in MLB The Show 24, giving Wheeler plenty of support to fall back on in situations where batters connect with one of his pitches.

3 Gerrit Cole, New York Yankees - 95

Despite missing out on the postseason for the first time since 2016, the New York Yankees roster the American League Cy Young Award winner in Gerrit Cole. This prestigious honor is given to the best pitchers, and Cole's victory is the first for this award since 2001, when Roger Clemens took the award. It's not often to see the Yankees on the outside looking in, but blame can't be placed on the shoulders of Cole, who had his most successful season in the last four years.

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While the Yankees no longer have the services of Derek Jeter in MLB The Show 24, they still have a complete roster that can compete against any team. Cole's workhorse mentality and ability to stay in drawn-out games, paired with excellent Clutch Pitching and Break numbers, make him a worthy contender for one of the best pitchers in the game. Cole's fielding is his Achilles heel, but the Yankees have a good enough infield to support him in times of need.

2 Spencer Strider, Atlanta Braves - 97

The Atlanta Braves continue to be a contender for the World Series, just three years removed from capturing the title in 2021, and Spencer Strider is a major contributor to their continued success. With a win percentage of .800 and 281 strikeouts, Strider is a serious threat whenever he steps onto the mound, and is lucky enough to have a strong supporting cast in the bullpen. The Braves may have lost to the Phillies in back-to-back postseasons, but they'll be hungry enough to avoid the "threepeat".

Strider serves as the second-best pitcher in the game, carrying an excessively-strong Arm Strength stat and the Velocity to frustrate most batters. His ability to strike-out opponents is showcased with a great spread, and his Control is above average too. Paired with one of the best catchers in MLB The Show 24, Strider and Sean Murphy are one of the most dangerous combinations in the league and the game.

1 Shohei Ohtani, New York Yankees - 99

The Los Angeles Angels' loss is the Dodgers gain, as Shohei Ohtani returns to the franchise as the best pitcher available, and the only one with a 99 rating. Ohtani left one LA team to join the other, giving the team the most dynamic 1-2 punch in their starting rotation with Kershaw. The Dodgers' starting bullpen is the most lethal one in the game, as their starting third-best pitcher is as good, if not better, than over 33% of the league.

It never hurts to add the MLB The Show 22 cover athlete, as Ohtani brings the most desirable stat spread to the table. If his Break and Velocity aren't enough to convince players to take the Dodgers as their team to go all the way, consider Ohtani's equally impressive presence as a designated hitter. If there's one player who knows all the tendencies of a pitcher, it's the best one of that position, and Ohtani is more than capable of hitting home runs as easily as he can strike out others.

MLB The Show 24

Platform(s)

PC , PS4 , PS5 , Switch , Xbox One , Xbox Series X , Xbox Series S

Released

March 19, 2024

Publisher(s)

MLB Advanced Media

Genre(s)

Sports