All-Star Week Explodes: 5th Inning XP Path, AL/NL Programs & More Drop Now

Over twenty All-Star Series cards are up for grabs across six programs and a collection, headlined by Ohtani, Trout, and a stacked Weekend Classic leaderboard.

MLB The Show's All-Star Week content drop is one of the most expansive single-day releases of the year, flooding Diamond Dynasty with fresh cards across nearly every game mode simultaneously. Whether you grind solo offline, compete in Ranked, or prefer collecting your way to elite players, there is a dedicated path built for you this week.

The centerpiece programs — the Fifth Inning XP Path and the paired AL and NL All-Stars Programs — deliver a combined haul that touches virtually every roster position, from backstops to closers to corner infielders. Layered on top are the Weekend Classic for competitive players, the Moonshot Event for casual lineup-builders, a Cornerstone program, a Spotlight drop, and a collection that rewards dedicated hoarders with some of the biggest names of the summer.

What makes this drop especially compelling is the variety of acquisition paths. Even players who avoid PvP can chase elite cards through Moments, Conquest, Mini Seasons, and Diamond Quest, while the top competitive reward — a ninety-nine overall starter locked behind the Weekend Classic leaderboard — gives ranked grinders real motivation to push their rating.

5th Inning XP Path

The Fifth Inning XP Path is a traditional earn-by-playing reward track that sits at the heart of this All-Star drop. You generate XP in whatever modes you already enjoy, and the path pays out packs and stubs along the way before delivering two headline player cards at key milestones — catcher Drake Baldwin mid-path and right fielder Aaron Judge deeper into the grind. The Boss Choice Pack waiting at the very end lets you pick between two ninety-nine overall legends of the current game, Shohei Ohtani and Mike Trout, making the finish line one of the most valuable in recent memory.

The total XP required is substantial but spread across a path that mixes packs, stubs, and bonus headliner packs to soften the journey. Casual players may find themselves landing Baldwin and Judge without ever touching the Boss Choice Pack, which is still a respectable outcome given the caliber of both cards. The path also feeds into Chase Pack eighteen eligibility through the Wheel, adding a secondary pull toward Byron Buxton on top of the direct card rewards.

For players deciding whether this is worth their time: if you play regularly across any modes, this path essentially rewards you for doing what you already do, and the Boss Choice Pack alone justifies the investment. Trout and Ohtani at ninety-nine overall are generational talents on the virtual field — this is the most straightforward route to either of them. Simply put, this is a must-engage program for any active Diamond Dynasty player this week.

Cost: 300,000 program XP to finish · 15 missions · 2 collection tasks · 1 voucher

All 5th Inning XP Path rewards →

2026 AL All-Stars Program

The AL All-Stars Program is a task-based progression system with ten player cards strung across milestone thresholds, rewarding consistent work through Moments and a variety of mission types. The structure is generous — you pick up a player card at nearly every checkpoint, meaning even partial completion returns real value. Entry-level rewards are solid role-player diamonds, and the program builds steadily toward its headliners: a catcher with strong right-hand power in Dillon Dingler, a high-velocity starter in Justin Verlander, and the program-topping ninety-eight overall first baseman Nick Kurtz.

What makes the AL program particularly attractive is the diversity of its roster — it covers every pitching role (starter, closer) and addresses positions that are often thin in Diamond Dynasty, like catcher and second base. Ernie Clement stands out as a contact-first second baseman with legitimate speed, and Jacob Latz offers a bullpen arm with elite break and control if you need bullpen depth. The program also contributes XP toward the broader AL/NL All-Stars ecosystem through Showdown and Conquest activity, meaning your effort here compounds across multiple content pillars.

This is a high-value program for the time investment. The task count is significant, combining Moments completions with a substantial number of XP-generating missions, but the density of earnable diamonds from start to finish means you never feel like you are grinding for nothing. If you can only commit to one of the paired programs, the AL side edges out a slight win thanks to Kurtz and Verlander anchoring the back half.

Cost: 100 program XP to finish · 25 missions · 5 moments

All 2026 AL All-Stars Program rewards →

2026 NL All-Stars Program

The NL All-Stars Program mirrors its AL counterpart in structure — ten cards across milestone thresholds — but draws from a completely different player pool and offers a different flavor of roster-building rewards. The early rewards cover the catcher and first base positions, and the program ramps up with a pair of quality starting pitchers in Logan Webb and Cristopher Sánchez before culminating in the ninety-eight overall outfielder Juan Soto.

Sánchez is a particular standout in the mid-program stretch, boasting maxed-out velocity and break alongside elite control — a rare combination for a card you can earn without spending a dime on packs. Otto Lopez at shortstop is another noteworthy pickup; his left-hand contact sits at an elite level with above-average speed, making him a legitimate defensive and on-base asset at a position where premium cards are always coveted. Hunter Goodman at catcher provides a power-forward option if you want a backstop who can punish mistakes.

Like the AL program, the NL path doubles as a contributor to the broader All-Star Programs ecosystem, meaning every mission you complete here pushes multiple progress bars simultaneously. The grind is real but justified by the output — ten diamonds, culminating in Juan Soto, is an objectively strong return. Completing both AL and NL programs in tandem is the ideal approach if you have the time, since the mode-based missions overlap efficiently.

Cost: 100 program XP to finish · 25 missions · 5 moments

All 2026 NL All-Stars Program rewards →

My Legacy - 2026 All-Star

My Legacy gets its All-Star Week chapter in the form of a tightly structured three-mission program requiring All-Star, MLB Draft, and Home Run Derby Series cards. The missions ask you to rack up a specific number of runs, strikeouts, and Parallel XP — workmanlike objectives that reward players who have been building out their My Legacy rosters throughout the year.

The reward path scales neatly: finish the first mission for a Deluxe All-Star Pack, add the second for a Premier pack, and sweep all three to claim a guaranteed no-sell ninety-nine overall Byron Buxton. That final reward is the draw here — a locked card of that caliber that cannot be flipped on the market is a serious prize for Legacy-focused grinders. If you have invested in the right series of cards, this is one of the more efficient ways to land an elite centerfielder this week without ever touching the marketplace.

Cost: 3 program XP to finish · 3 missions

All My Legacy - 2026 All-Star rewards →

July Spotlight Drop 1

Cost: 50 program XP to finish · 4 missions · 8 moments · 4 collection tasks

All July Spotlight Drop 1 rewards →

Ryan Howard

The Ryan Howard Cornerstone Program is a Moments-driven tribute to one of the most feared left-handed power hitters in Phillies history, perfectly timed with the All-Star Game landing in Philadelphia. Five Moments missions walk through the career highlights of 'The Big Piece,' with Show Packs, stubs, and Reward XP padding the path before the man himself arrives as the final reward.

The Howard card is a pure power proposition — his right-hand contact and power numbers are excellent, his left-hand contact is a known platoon liability consistent with his real-world profile, and his clutch rating is notable for high-leverage situations. With the Phillies as a host city tie-in, this card has extra thematic appeal for completionists building city-themed or historic lineups. The program is brief and Moments-focused, making it an easy afternoon project that slots cleanly alongside the larger All-Star Week grind without demanding significant additional time.

Cost: 50 program XP to finish · 2 missions · 5 moments

All Ryan Howard rewards →

Weekend Classic 4

Weekend Classic four is a head-to-head ranked event pitting players against opponents at similar rating levels in one-versus-one matchups. Your first six games establish your initial standing, and continued play pushes you up the leaderboard for additional rewards including packs, stubs, and earnable player cards at accessible win thresholds.

The leaderboard pinnacle reward — Jacob Misiorowski at ninety-nine overall — is the competitive carrot dangled exclusively for the highest-performing players, making this the mode for anyone who wants the most elite pitcher in the entire All-Star Week drop without relying on pack pulls. This event suits players who are confident in their team construction and clutch execution under pressure.

Where to find it: Available in Ranked mode with 1-vs-1 matchups
Rewards: Earn Packs, Stubs, and player cards
Leaderboard reward: 2026 All-Star Series Jacob Misiorowski, SP, MIL (99 OVR)

Source: the official post.

2026 All-Star Moonshot Event Program

The Moonshot Event is a creative event format that pairs any batters you choose with Bronze Common pitchers, leveling the pitching field and turning the contest into a pure offensive showcase. Completing missions within the event earns XP, choice packs, and the program-topping first baseman Yandy Diaz — a reliable contact and on-base option.

The Moonshot Event also feeds progress into the AL and NL All-Stars Programs through its multiplayer missions, making it a double-dipping opportunity for players who want to advance multiple progress bars simultaneously. It is especially well-suited for casual players who want competitive content without the pressure of fielding an elite pitching staff.

Where to find it: Build a team with any batters and Bronze Common pitchers
Rewards: Earn XP, Packs including Premier and Deluxe 26 All-Star Choice Packs, and 2026 All-Star Series Yandy Diaz, 1B, TB (97 OVR)

Source: the official post.

All 2026 All-Star Moonshot Event Program rewards →

2026 All-Star Collection

The All-Star Collection is nested within Legends and Flashbacks Collections and rewards players who accumulate All-Star Series cards with milestone prizes. The reward structure scales from a closer at the first threshold through a starting pitcher and a shortstop before topping out with Yordan Alvarez — the ninety-nine overall left fielder — for completing the full set.

This is the collection path for dedicated hoarders and players who have been pulling All-Star packs throughout the week. Each tier delivers a legitimately useful card rather than filler, meaning even partial completion returns value. The Bobby Witt Jr. shortstop at the third tier is a particularly exciting collection reward, combining elite speed with strong left-hand contact.

Where to find it: Available in Legends and Flashbacks Collections
Cards: Collect 15 for Mason Miller, CP, SD (97 OVR); Collect 25 for Cam Schlittler, SP, NYY (98 OVR); Collect 35 for Bobby Witt Jr., SS, KC (98 OVR); Collect 43 for Yordan Alvarez, LF, HOU (99 OVR)

Source: the official post.

2026 All-Star Game Showdown

The All-Star Game Showdown tasks players with working through a gauntlet of All-Star pitchers, culminating in a final challenge against Cristopher Sánchez, the Philadelphia Phillies All-Star who appears as a boss. Completing the Showdown earns progress in both the AL and NL All-Stars Programs, making it one of the most efficient single-activity boosts for the paired programs.

This content suits players who enjoy the strategic Showdown format — building a lineup with limited resources and adapting on the fly — and it offers a natural complement to the Moments-heavy task mix in the main programs. Beating Sánchez in the Final Showdown is a satisfying challenge given his elite pitching attributes.

Where to find it: Face off against 2026 All-Star Game pitchers with Christopher Sanchez as the final opponent

Source: the official post.

2026 All-Star Game Conquest Map

The All-Star Game Conquest Map drops into the Conquest mode with the usual territory-stealing, fan-accumulating objectives that long-time Diamond Dynasty players know well. Completing map goals earns XP, packs including a Deluxe All-Star Pack, and progress in the AL and NL All-Stars Programs.

Conquest is one of the best offline modes for players who want to multitask — you can advance your AL and NL program progress while simultaneously earning map rewards, making this an efficient use of session time. It is low-stakes enough for casual players but rewarding enough that committed grinders should not skip it.

Rewards: Earn XP and Packs including a 2026 All-Star Deluxe Pack

Source: the official post.

2026 All-Star Game Mini Seasons Challenge

The Mini Seasons Challenge gives players the choice between shorter or longer season formats — three or nine inning games across either a compact or extended season — against CPU-controlled teams. Rewards include stubs, XP, and a selection of All-Star packs, while mission completions contribute progress to the AL and NL All-Stars Programs.

This is the ideal content pillar for players who prefer a full simulated season feel over individual game or mission formats. The flexibility of choosing your season length makes it accessible for both casual weekend players and dedicated grinders who want to maximize AL and NL program progress through extended play.

Where to find it: Compete in 3 or 9 inning games within 7 or 28 game seasons against CPU-controlled teams
Rewards: Earn XP, Stubs, and Packs including a 2026 All-Star Choice Pack and 2 Deluxe 2026 All-Star Packs

Source: the official post.

2026 All-Star Diamond Quest

Diamond Quest returns with an All-Star-themed adventure that combines Moments against AL and NL All-Stars, Showdown challenges against elite starters, and Stadium Challenges alongside the Zone Sweeper for bonus rewards. The mode pays out Deluxe All-Star Packs and additional prizes while feeding progress into the broader AL and NL All-Stars Programs.

Diamond Quest's variety of challenge types makes it one of the more engaging single-session content experiences in the drop, drawing on multiple gameplay styles rather than repeating one format. Players who enjoy exploring different modes within a single themed experience will find Diamond Quest a highlight of All-Star Week.

Rewards: Earn 2 Deluxe All-Star Packs plus more rewards
Where to find it: Play Moments against 2026 AL NL All-Stars, complete Showdowns against 2026 All-Star aces, and take on Stadium Challenges and Zone Sweeper

Source: the official post.

Chase Pack 18

Chase Pack eighteen features Byron Buxton — a three-time All-Star centerfielder at ninety-nine overall — as its headliner, with every pack guaranteeing at least one diamond alongside the chance to pull the featured card. The pack is available through the Fifth Inning XP Path Wheel, bundled into the Show fifty-pack purchase, and as a rare find inside individual Show Packs.

For players chasing Buxton specifically, the My Legacy All-Star program offers a no-sell guaranteed path to the same card, making the Chase Pack more appealing for players who either cannot meet the Legacy program requirements or simply prefer the thrill of the pull. Buxton at this overall is expected to be an elite centerfield option with the speed and athleticism to match his real-world reputation.

Featured player: 2026 All-Star Series Byron Buxton, CF, MIN (99 OVR)
Packs: Guarantees 1 Diamond player card with a chance to find the featured Chase Pack 18 player card
Where to find it: Earn in the 5th Inning XP Reward Path Wheel, in every 50-Pack Bundle purchase, and in individual Show Packs

Source: the official post.

New cards

Aaron Judge

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 98.6 · Hall of Fame 92.9 · Legend 88.1
Quirks: Homebody, First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, Fighter, Situational Hitter, Night Player
Market: buy now 44,333 stubs · sell now 34,555 stubs

Aaron Judge arrives as one of the most anticipated earnable cards of the summer, sitting deep in the Fifth Inning XP Path as a milestone reward. His power numbers — elite from both sides of the plate — are among the highest you will find at the right field position, and his discipline and clutch ratings are exceptional, meaning he is built to perform in the moments that matter most. The quirk loadout reinforces a contact-and-power hybrid profile: First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, and Fighter all suggest a hitter who can be pitched to but will punish mistakes aggressively.

The trade-off is vision, which is modest relative to his overall rating, so pitchers with elite stuff can work around him. Speed is serviceable but not a weapon. His OpScore peaks sharply at the All-Star difficulty level, suggesting he is most dominant against mid-tier pitching — exactly the environment he will encounter in the bulk of online modes. At the market price currently listed, he represents fair value for players who cannot unlock him through the path, but grinding to earn him directly is clearly the better financial play.

Nick Kurtz

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 102.2 · Hall of Fame 101.6 · Legend 96.2
Quirks: Homebody, First-Pitch Hitter, Breaking Ball Hitter, Rally Monkey, Situational Hitter, Day Player

Nick Kurtz is the headline reward for completing the full AL All-Stars Program, and his numbers back up the billing. His discipline and clutch ratings are both maxed out, which is a rare and powerful combination that makes him genuinely difficult to strike out in key situations. Contact from both sides of the plate is excellent, and his right-hand power is imposing enough to punish any pitch left over the heart of the zone.

What makes Kurtz especially interesting is his OpScore trajectory — he rates extremely well across all difficulty tiers, suggesting consistent performance whether you are grinding offline or competing in ranked modes. The Breaking Ball Hitter and Rally Monkey quirks add situational versatility, and the Homebody quirk rewards home stadium usage. First base is a crowded position in Diamond Dynasty at this stage of the year, but Kurtz's discipline floor separates him from most alternatives. He is a program completion goal that genuinely holds up as a starting lineup piece rather than a collection piece.

Juan Soto

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 88.1 · Hall of Fame 89.4 · Legend 89.6
Quirks: Homebody, Dead Red, Fighter, Rally Monkey, Situational Hitter, Night Player, Table Setter

Juan Soto caps the NL All-Stars Program and brings one of the most complete offensive profiles in this week's drop. His vision and discipline are elite, meaning he draws walks, works counts, and forces pitchers into trouble — the Table Setter quirk captures this perfectly. Right-hand power is exceptional, though left-hand power drops off noticeably, creating a mild platoon consideration against elite left-handed arms.

Soto's OpScore actually improves as difficulty scales upward, which is a meaningful indicator that he is built for the highest-stakes competitive environments. His seven-quirk loadout is one of the deepest in the drop, with Fighter and Rally Monkey adding resilience in two-strike and deficit situations. The left field position is well-served by this card, and his contact-and-patience profile makes him a nightmare to pitch around in the middle of a lineup. For players targeting the NL program completion, Soto alone justifies the full grind.

Brayan Rocchio

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 93.1 · Hall of Fame 96.6 · Legend 97.9
Quirks: Homebody, First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, Fighter, Night Player, Table Setter

Brayan Rocchio earns top billing in the July Spotlight Drop One and delivers a shortstop profile that leans heavily into right-hand contact, fielding, and vision. His fielding rating is elite for a middle infielder, making him a genuine defensive anchor at shortstop in addition to an offensive contributor. The vision stat pairs with clutch to suggest he performs best in pressure situations, and the Dead Red and Fighter quirks reinforce a contact-first approach.

The left-hand contact drops off enough to create a platoon consideration, and his left-hand power is limited, so he is best deployed against right-handed pitching or as a balanced lineup piece rather than a cleanup threat. His OpScore peaks at the Legend difficulty tier, a slightly unusual curve that suggests he is underrated in the most competitive offline settings. For players who need shortstop depth or want a defensively reliable option with solid right-hand bat, Rocchio is a worthwhile Spotlight grind.

Ryan Howard

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 101.9 · Hall of Fame 94.8 · Legend 88.8
Quirks: Homebody, First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, Breaking Ball Hitter, Fighter, Bad Ball Hitter, Situational Hitter, Pinch Hitter, Night Player

The Cornerstone Ryan Howard card is a love letter to left-handed power, packed with one of the deepest quirk sets in this entire drop — eight quirks covering everything from Dead Red to Pinch Hitter to Bad Ball Hitter. That Pinch Hitter quirk in particular opens creative lineup construction options beyond a simple starting role, making Howard viable as a late-game substitution weapon even in lineups where first base is already committed.

His right-hand contact and power are both superb, and his clutch rating is strong enough to make him dangerous in late-inning situations. The left-hand contact is the familiar historical limitation, confirming the platoon dynamic that defined his real career. His OpScore is highest at the All-Star difficulty level, pointing toward a card that thrives in online modes against average-to-good pitching. For Phillies fans and collectors building a Philadelphia-themed squad with All-Star Week context, this is an especially satisfying program completion.

Yordan Alvarez

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 90.4 · Hall of Fame 87.6 · Legend 84.2
Quirks: Homebody, First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, Breaking Ball Hitter, Unfazed, Rally Monkey, Bad Ball Hitter, Situational Hitter, Night Player, Table Setter

Yordan Alvarez sits atop the All-Star Collection as the grand prize for assembling the largest required set of cards, and the attributes justify his position as the tier-topper. His contact and power from both sides of the plate are among the highest available at any position this week, and his clutch rating is massive — built for the moments that define competitive Diamond Dynasty play. The Unfazed quirk means he does not rattle under pressure, compounding an already intimidating late-inning presence.

The concession here is speed and fielding: he is one of the slowest cards in the drop, and his outfield defense is not a selling point. But in a game where lineup construction can account for defensive limitations, Alvarez's offensive ceiling is so high that the trade-off is almost always worth it. His ten-quirk package — the deepest in this entire release — includes Table Setter, Rally Monkey, and Bad Ball Hitter alongside the elite contact/power base, creating a hitter who is difficult to neutralize through conventional pitching strategies. Unlocking Alvarez through the Collection requires a meaningful investment in All-Star Series cards, but the result is one of the most offensively dominant left fielders available this cycle.

Aroldis Chapman

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 98.1 · Hall of Fame 102.5 · Legend 102.5
Quirks: Road Warrior, Stopper, Day Player, Outlier I
Market: buy now 75,000 stubs · sell now 57,777 stubs

Aroldis Chapman continues his decades-long tradition of being one of the most polarizing and effective closers in any format, and his Weekend Classic four card captures the essence of why: maxed velocity, maxed strikeout rates against both handednesses, and break that makes his pitches nearly unhittable when located. The control number is the known vulnerability — walks are a real risk — but the Stopper quirk means he is calibrated to close games rather than blow them.

His OpScore at the Hall of Fame and Legend tiers is his highest, meaning he performs even better as the competition stiffens — a closer's dream profile. The Outlier I quirk adds an additional layer of unpredictability for opposing hitters. At the market price he currently commands, he is expensive but reflects genuine on-field impact. Weekend Classic players who reach the reward tiers for him will find a bullpen anchor capable of locking down games single-handedly.

Ozzie Albies

DiamondOps rating (OpScore): All-Star 95.1 · Hall of Fame 99.8 · Legend 100.5
Quirks: Homebody, Dead Red, Unfazed, Fighter, Bad Ball Hitter, Situational Hitter, Night Player
Market: buy now 79,888 stubs · sell now 58,009 stubs

Ozzie Albies is the other Weekend Classic earnable, and he brings a second base profile defined by elite left-hand contact and an extremely high clutch rating. His left-hand contact is exceptional — among the best available at the keystone — and his vision keeps him from being too aggressive in unfavorable counts. The Unfazed and Fighter quirks create a two-strike resilience that aligns with his real-world reputation as a tough at-bat.

Right-hand power drops relative to his left-hand contact, meaning he is a better platoon option against right-handed pitching, but the balanced power-speed combination still provides enough threat to keep defenders honest. His OpScore climbs toward the higher difficulty tiers, making him a competitive ranked play asset. The market price reflects demand — he is not a cheap acquisition if you are buying — but players who earn him through Weekend Classic four get one of the best second basemen in the current card pool without spending stubs.

Other news

More All-Star Week Content Still to Come

SDS has confirmed that additional content tied to the actual MLB events — including cards from the MLB Draft, Home Run Derby, and All-Star Game itself — will be added to MLB The Show throughout the week as those real-world events take place. Players should check back regularly for new programs and cards tied to those specific moments.

Deluxe, Premier, and Ultra All-Star Packs Available in Show Shop

Three tiers of All-Star packs are available for direct purchase, with guarantees scaling from a single diamond in the Deluxe Pack up to four Red Diamond ninety-five-plus cards and one ninety-six-plus card in the Ultra Pack. The Ultra Pack pool includes pitchers, position players, and relievers across multiple teams, giving buyers a curated set of high-floor All-Star Series diamonds.

July Spotlight Pack – Drop One Available in Show Shop

Alongside the earnable July Spotlight program cards, a purchasable Spotlight pack for Drop One includes additional cards not available through the free program path — featuring players like Eury Perez, Garrett Mitchell, Taj Bradley, Gabriel Hughes, and Cameron Cauley. This pack is for players who want immediate access to the broader Spotlight card pool without completing every program task.

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