The 4th Inning Program landed in MLB The Show 26 on June 5, and it's got a little more room to breathe than the first three innings. Players chasing packs, bosses, XP vouchers, or just grinding while building up MLB 26 stubs will notice this program runs past the Fourth of July, ending on July 9, 2026. That extra time matters. The path still caps its main reward track at 400,000 XP, but the schedule feels less rushed, especially if you're not playing every single night.

Reward path highlights

The early part of the track is built around steady pack drops and small Stub payouts. You'll pick up standard MLB The Show 26 packs at 3,000, 12,500, 35,000, 50,000, 90,000, 130,000, 160,000, 190,000, 235,000, 300,000, and 360,000 XP. Ballin' is a Habit packs show up often too, starting at 7,500 XP and returning several times before the later stretch. The first real player reward arrives at 57,500 XP with 95 OVR All-Star Mike Piazza, which is a nice early target if you're still patching holes behind the plate.

Mini-bosses give the grind some shape

Piazza and Steve Carlton are the two mini-bosses on the way to the big choice pack. Piazza comes much earlier, so most regular players should get him without having to force the grind. Carlton sits at 220,000 XP, and that's where the program starts to feel more serious. He's a 96 OVR All-Star card, and for players who like working with left-handed starters, he'll probably get tested quickly in ranked games. The spacing is better than dumping everything at the end, and that helps the program feel less empty in the middle.

Boss choice and post-track wheel

At 400,000 XP, players unlock the 4th Inning Boss Choice Pack, which includes Rafael Devers and Roger Clemens. Both are 97 OVR bosses, so the pick isn't just about overall rating. It's about what your squad needs. Devers makes sense if you want a strong bat at third base, while Clemens gives rotation help for players who'd rather win with pitching. Once you pass 400,000 XP, the reward wheel activates for every extra 30,000 XP earned. That setup keeps the program alive after the main prize, which is handy during a longer inning.

XP missions and smart pacing

The first XP mission drop gives players a few clear ways to move faster. You can earn 3,750 XP for 500 PXP with Topps Now Series players, 5,250 XP for 500 PXP with Cornerstone Series players, and 7,500 XP for 2,000 PXP with Spotlight Series players. There's also 7,500 XP for fifty hits in Weekend Classic or ranked, plus another 7,500 XP for twenty-five doubles in any mode and on any difficulty. If you're short on time, mix these missions with normal play instead of grinding one thing until you hate it. Players planning upgrades or looking to buy MLB 26 stubs should also keep an eye on market swings around the boss cards and reward packs.