MLB The Show 25 is one of the most engaging and immersive baseball simulation games available, offering players a variety of game modes, customization tools, and MLB The Show 25 Stubs ways to build their dream team. However, one of the biggest questions players ask is: Can you truly compete without spending money? The answer is yes—if you play smart, optimize your time, and take advantage of every free opportunity the game offers. In this guide, we’ll break down how to achieve greatness in MLB The Show 25 without spending a single dime.

1. Master Road to the Show (RTTS)
One of the best single-player experiences in the game, Road to the Show (RTTS) lets you create a custom player and guide them through a career in the Major Leagues. This mode offers:

No Pay-to-Win Mechanics: Your progress is earned entirely through gameplay.

Stubs Rewards: As you reach milestones and complete dynamic challenges, you earn XP and Stubs, the in-game currency.

Loadout Progression: Build strong archetypes and perk combinations through grinding, not purchases.

RTTS is a great way to build your understanding of the game while passively collecting resources that can be used elsewhere, such as Diamond Dynasty.

2. Diamond Dynasty Done Right
Diamond Dynasty is MLB The Show 25’s card-based team-building mode. Many assume you need to spend real money to build a competitive squad, but that’s not the case if you approach it wisely.

Key Free-To-Play Tips:
Daily Moments & Programs: Log in daily and complete moments to earn XP toward Season and Program progress. These reward you with player packs, Stubs, and Season Cards—many of which are viable for online play.

Team Affinity & Conquest Maps: These modes reward you with tons of free packs, high-rated players, and XP. Conquest maps especially offer hidden rewards like The Show packs, Ballin’ Is a Habit packs, and Stubs.

Featured Programs: These time-limited Programs often include 90+ OVR players as free unlocks for grinding moments, missions, and online challenges.

Mini-Seasons & Showdowns: Play vs CPU or short seasons that offer strong card rewards for players who don’t want to go online. Showdowns, while difficult, are time-efficient once you learn how to beat them consistently.

3. Flip the Marketplace Like a Pro
If you want to earn large amounts of Stubs without paying for them, become a student of the in-game marketplace.

Flipping Tips:
Buy Low, Sell High: Look for Gold or Diamond players with large gaps between the Buy Now and Sell Now prices.

Monitor Trends: Player prices fluctuate due to real-world performance and content updates. For example, Live Series cards spike when a player is close to an upgrade.

Sell Duplicates: Any duplicate cards—equipment, perks, stadiums—can be sold for quick Stubs.

You can easily build up hundreds of thousands of Stubs just by flipping 5–10 cards a day for profit.

4. Grind Ranked Seasons (Even If You’re Casual)
You don’t have to be a top-100 player to benefit from Ranked Seasons. As you play and climb tiers, you unlock increasing rewards including:

Choice Packs

Stubs

XP for Programs

Just reaching mid-tier levels can net you enough rewards to strengthen your Diamond Dynasty team. And with matchmaking more skill-based this year, you’ll likely face opponents at your level.

5. Capitalize on Event Modes
Events are limited-time online modes with specific lineup requirements (e.g., Silver players only, or NL-only teams). The benefit of playing Events:

Quick games (3 innings)

Free 90+ OVR player cards as milestones

Sellable rewards for profit

Even winning just 5–10 games per Event can land you rewards worth tens of thousands of Stubs.

6. Complete Collections Over Time
It might be unrealistic to complete all Live Series collections immediately without spending money, but over time, it becomes achievable.

Tips:

Focus on one team at a time.

Buy low-rated players during market dips.

Sell off rewards you don’t use to fund collections.

Once you complete divisions or full teams, you get powerful reward cards that can carry you in Ranked or Events.

7. Use the App for Passive Progress
The MLB The Show Companion App lets you access the marketplace and monitor your team on the go.

Flip cards while away from your console.

Quickly complete buy/sell orders.

Check market trends throughout the day.

Using the app daily gives you a leg up on Stubs without needing to constantly play.

8. Avoid the “Pack Trap”
Opening packs is fun, but it’s rarely the best use of your Stubs. Stick to this golden rule:

Buy the card, not the pack.

With few exceptions, purchasing players directly is more cost-effective than gambling on packs. Use earned packs from Conquest or Programs, but don’t waste hard-earned Stubs on random pulls.

9. Stay Up to Date with Content Drops
San Diego Studio regularly adds new content like:

Monthly Awards Programs

Player of the Month cards

Topps Now cards (based on real-life performances)

These are almost always grindable, free, and include some of the best no-money-spent (NMS) options in the game.

Final Thoughts
Achieving greatness in MLB The Show 25 without spending money is not only possible—it’s one of the most satisfying ways to play. Whether you’re a solo RTTS grinder, a Conquest map conqueror, a Diamond Dynasty strategist, or a Weekend Warrior in Events, the MLB 25 Stubs tools are there to build an elite team and dominate the competition without opening your wallet.

By staying consistent, playing smart, and maximizing your opportunities, you can thrive in The Show and prove that skill and strategy always beat spending.