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 MLB Stubs for sale new shifts each inning.