One of the smartest ways to stretch your MLB The Show 25 stubs is by leveraging captain boosts, especially when building a theme team. In my recent World Series run, I assembled a Los Angeles Angels squad and saw firsthand how the right captain can elevate your lineup from average to unstoppable.

The April Spotlight Drop 3 Program brought several new cards to the Angels roster, including 89 OVR Kairen Paris and Taylor Ward. Both feature 100 clutch ratings, making them ideal for late-game heroics. By spending your MLB The Show 25 stubs on these spotlight cards, you can quickly upgrade your team’s offensive firepower.

But the real game-changer is the Bobby Grich captain boost. This boost provides +15 contact and +20 batting clutch to every hitter in your lineup. For players like Mike Trout and Don Baylor, who already have strong clutch ratings, this can turn them into absolute monsters at the plate. In my own experience, Trout’s 112 contact against lefties became even more lethal, and Baylor’s power was on full display with a 470-foot homer.

Of course, building a theme team isn’t without its challenges. The Angels’ pitching staff is notoriously thin, especially in the reliever department. With only one diamond reliever, Kenley Jansen, and a handful of bronze options, you’ll need to rely on creative bullpen management and timely hitting to stay ahead. Mixing in legends like Shohei Ohtani and Nolan Ryan can help, but you’ll still face tense moments late in games.

In my World Series matchup, the captain boost was the difference-maker. Even when my pitching faltered, the offense kept me in the game. Key hits from Taylor Ward, Rod Carew, and Logan O’Hoppe-each benefiting from the captain boost-helped me outscore my opponent in a high-pressure situation.

If you’re looking to build a theme team, don’t underestimate the value of captain boosts. Invest your MLB The Show 25 stubs in players who fit your chosen captain’s criteria, and watch as your team’s performance skyrockets. Whether you’re chasing ranked rewards or just want to try something new, captain boosts are the secret weapon every theme team builder needs.

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