San Diego Padres – Star Power, But Inconsistent Depth

Strengths: Star lineup, flexible positions, power hitting
Key Players: Fernando Tatis Jr., Manny Machado, Xander Bogaerts, Yu Darvish

The Padres remain a popular choice for online players thanks to MLB The Show 25 Stubs their superstar core. However, in Franchise mode, their inconsistent depth can make long seasons challenging without good roster management.

Why they’re effective:

Tatis and Machado deliver elite offensive production.

Bogaerts offers contact consistency against top-tier pitching.

Capable bullpen for holding late-game leads.

Best for: Online players who love aggressive, power-heavy offense and dynamic fielding plays.

Miami Marlins – Elite Pitching, Developing Offense

Strengths: Rotation dominance, defensive reliability, prospect potential
Key Players: Sandy Alcantara, Jazz Chisholm Jr., Jesús Luzardo

The Marlins round out the list as a defensive juggernaut. While their batting lineup isn’t elite, their pitching staff is among the best in the league. Perfect for players who love low-scoring, strategic baseball.

Why they work:

Alcantara’s stamina and control dominate long games.

Chisholm provides athletic spark both offensively and defensively.

Excellent for mastering pitching mechanics under pressure.

Best for: Players who prefer pitching duels and buy MLB Stubs defense-oriented gameplay.