3rd Inning Bosses, Cornerstone Cards Content Review

The 3rd Inning Program was released May 9 in coordination with a double XP and double PXP weekend through the end of the second Weekend Classic on May 13. The latest inning program includes cornerstone packs at 7,500 XP, 70,000 XP and 135,000 XP, a Matt Cain henchman at 205,000 XP and program boss packs at 245,000 XP and 400,000 XP.

Here are breakdowns of each card and how they might fit into your lineups.

ERIC GAGNE

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Boss Packs
• Card Series: All-Star
• Overall: 92
• Position: CP
• ShowZone profile

Perks: As difficult as Gagne's silver Team Affinity was to face in the early game, his diamond is a whole other animal. Instead of a curveball, slider and cutter as his third-through-fifth pitches like the silver had, Gagne's diamond version features a splitter, slurve and slider as the third-through-fifth options behind the 4-seam fastball and vulcan changeup. The fastball gets a bump in velocity from 95 to 99 and has the outlier quirk for an added boost, while the changeup is up a tick from 85 to 86. The splitter rivals some of the best available currently in the game, while the slurve is nearly as slow as the silver's curveball with more break as well.

Grind Time: 3rd Inning Boss packs have been moved up from 320,000 XP and 500,000 in the XP in the 2nd Inning Program to the aforementioned 245,000 and 400,000, potentially putting Gagne and other inning bosses in players' lineups in the first week of the program. A couple nights of grinding program XP will put a program boss within most players' reach.

Drawbacks:  The slurve pitching motion in pinpoint is slightly more difficult than the standard curveball, which could make Gagne's tertiary pitch less appealing. Other than that, there is not much beyond slightly average control (81) and walks per nine (83) ratings to dislike about this card.

Verdict: Gagne will be a staple of late-game bullpens in the near future with an elite five-pitch mix. With some obvious drawbacks to the hitting bosses, Gagne is the safest and most usable option for competitive play.

TREVOR STORY

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Boss Packs
• Card Series: Standout
• Overall: 92
• Position: SS
• ShowZone profile

Perks: That first card that brings back the prime Rockies power-hitting days of old for Story is always a welcome addition to the MLB The Show content cycle. This version will mash lefties with 103 contact and 100 power, while potentially still being able to provide an impact against righties with 82 contact and 75 power. Fielding reactions will be above average with 86 reaction, and Story can make an impact on the basepaths with 86 speed and 80 steal.

Grind Time: The earlier boss packs in the 3rd Inning Program will hopefully make that first or second boss pack more attainable to most players. Still, expect a couple nights of grinding through programs to reach either 245 or 400K.

Drawbacks: No quirks is a drawback for a card that will already struggle at times without any situational help against righties. Vision of 70 is not quite a huge swing-and-miss risk, but expect weaker contact in some instances. A 91 clutch will help against righties while knocking off 12 contact points against lefties.

Verdict: Another free card that leaves a bit to be desired in terms of balance, Story will still appeal to fans of his swing and those who want a lefty-killer to platoon at shortstop.

BERNIE WILLIAMS

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Boss Packs
• Card Series: Postseason
• Overall: 92
• Position: CF
• ShowZone profile

Perks: A switch-hitter with nearly max hitting against lefties (125 contact, 115 power) and several elite hitting quirks will likely help soften the blow for those still hundreds of thousands of stubs away from adding Carlos Santana to their lineup. Williams has the First-Pitch Hitter, Dead Red, Situational Hitter and Breaking Ball Hitter quirks among his repertoire.

Grind Time: Williams may be many players' first choice at 245K, which some should reach in the first week of the program.

Drawbacks: Like Story, hitting stats against righties of 90 contact and 65 power underwhelm a bit, though a 111 clutch rating will help offset that in RISP situations. Fielding ratings that include 67 reaction, 70 fielding, 76 arm strength and 81 arm accuracy are a massive liability if Williams is played in his only position of center field. He would see further dips if players attempt to hide him in a corner outfield spot out of position.

Verdict: The lack of a left field secondary position makes Williams a DH-or-bust option in most lineups. The hitting is elite for a middle of the order bat, but Williams may still be another platoon option at a point in the power creep where that seems to be a common theme for the most attainable cards.

RALPH KINER

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Cornerstone Packs
• Card Series: Last Ride/Cornerstone
• Overall: 83/90
• Position: LF
• ShowZone profile

Perks:  Kiner's diamond hitting is balanced righty to lefty with contact ratings in the mid 80s and power at 100+ on both sides. He also boasts nine perks on both the gold and diamond versions, highlighted by both Dead Red and Breaking Ball Hitter, Bad Ball Hitter and Pinch Hitter.

Grind Time: Cornerstone packs are available at 7,500 XP, 70,000 XP and 135,000 XP, making Kiner's gold an easily acquirable option. His 90 Cornerstone card will take an additional hour or two of grinding missions in conquest or mini seasons.

Drawbacks: While not as bad as Cornerstone J.D. Martinez before him in the 2nd Inning Program, Kiner's fielding is a liability that will cost a base or two on balls hit to left if placed in the field.

Verdict: Kiner is a card most players would ideally like in the DH spot or as a bench bat. His gold could be a fun BR option, but most will not use him longer than it takes to fulfill his missions or progress team affinity.

JIM PALMER

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Cornerstone Packs
• Card Series: All-Star/Cornerstone
• Overall: 83/90
• Position: SP
• ShowZone profile

Perks: The 83 Palmer is great collection fodder for those trying to decide between the All-Star Series and Spotlight Series to finish Scott Rolen's collection. Okay okay, there is some value here in a secondary pitch curveball that absolutely falls off the table on his Cornerstone card with 99 break.

Grind Time: Cornerstone packs are available at 7,500 XP, 70,000 XP and 135,000 XP, making Palmer's gold an easily acquirable option. His missions can be completed in one Play vs. CPU 9-inning start.

Drawbacks: Palmer's best per nine stat is home runs per nine (90) which is a superfluous stat for Diamond Dynasty. An 85 hits per nine rating is low diamond level, and looks a lot better if used on an Orioles theme team with Cal Ripkin Jr.'s +20 hits per nine bonus.

Verdict: The developers said as much on the 3rd Inning Program reveal team that Palmer is a great theme team option. Orioles fans have a new ace for the theme team staff, but few others will consider this for their rotations.

JUSTIN TURNER

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Cornerstone Packs
• Card Series: Veteran/Cornerstone
• Overall: 83/90
• Position: 1B
• ShowZone profile

Perks: Turner's 83 has a 109 clutch rating, which can make those missions easier to complete to complete his Cornerstone. His Cornerstone is another great bat against lefties (125 contact, 100 power) with serviceable contact versus righties (92) and elite vision (93).

Grind Time: Cornerstone packs are available at 7,500 XP, 70,000 XP and 135,000 XP, making Turner's gold an easily acquirable option. His missions can be completed in an hour or two of grinding in conquest or mini seasons.

Drawbacks: The fielding at the hot corner with ratings in the low to mid 70s even on the Cornerstone is going to allow a few hits to sneak through. Beyond Table Setter, his two other quirks of Night Player and Homebody do not add much to unbalanced hitting attributes.

Verdict: Those without access to 99 Scott Rolen, Jose Ramirez or a couple other potentially pricey options yet have a sweet-swinging option to plug and play at third. Otherwise, Turner is another theme team or novelty option at third or DH.

MATT CAIN

• Location: 3rd Inning Program Reward Path
• Card Series: Postseason
• Overall: 91
• Position: SP
• ShowZone profile

Perks: A good five-pitch mix with some vertical and horizontal break, Cain's arsenal features an upper tier circle change secondary that could be useful for fans of that pitch. A 98 hits per nine also gives him some swing and miss potential, and a 110 pitching clutch can allow him to escape any jams he finds himself in.

Grind Time: Available at 205,000 XP, players can expect to reach Cain a bit faster than Ozzie Smith in the 2nd Inning Program if they got started during double XP weekend.

Drawbacks: A 70 strikeouts per nine rating is not going to shrink opponents PCIs as much as some other starting options. No standout quirks beyond Break Outlier make Cain a starter most will hope and pray can avoid the big inning.

Verdict: There is some back-end rotation usefulness to Cain for those looking to round out a rotation, but he is not a front-line starter for most players.