If you’re trying to add a reliable endgame starter to your Diamond Dynasty rotation, the 96 Overall Milestone Max Scherzer is one of the easiest high-value cards you can earn early. Unlike long program grinds or RNG-heavy packs, this version of Scherzer is locked behind a short, focused Single-Player Showdown that can be completed in one sitting.

Here’s a clear breakdown of how to unlock him quickly and what you should watch out for along the way.

How to Unlock 96 Max Scherzer in Diamond Dynasty

The only method to obtain the free 96 OVR Milestone Max Scherzer is by completing his dedicated Showdown inside Diamond Dynasty.

Follow these steps:

First, go into Diamond Dynasty from the main menu. From there, navigate to the Play tab and select Single-Player modes. Inside that section, you’ll find the Showdown mode.

Once inside Showdown, look for the specific program labeled for the 96 Overall Max Scherzer. This is a standalone challenge and not part of a broader seasonal grind, which makes it much faster than typical Diamond Dynasty programs.

After selecting it, you’ll enter a shortened Showdown format consisting of only two rounds. Unlike standard Showdowns that can feel long and punishing, this version is designed to be quick and beginner-friendly.

All gameplay in this challenge is set on Veteran difficulty, which significantly lowers the skill barrier compared to higher-tier competitive modes. This makes it accessible even if you’re not a top-ranked hitter.

Once both rounds are completed successfully, the 3,500 Strikeouts Milestone Max Scherzer card is automatically rewarded and added to your inventory.

Why This Showdown Is Worth Doing

The biggest advantage of this Showdown is efficiency. In most cases, unlocking a 96 overall pitcher would require multiple program stages, stat missions, or pack luck. Here, you’re getting a strong Milestone card with a very short time investment.

Max Scherzer’s Milestone version is built around durability and strikeout potential, making him especially useful in early and mid-tier Ranked Seasons or Conquest grinding. Even if your rotation is already stacked, he is still a strong bench option or situational starter depending on matchups.

For players building a competitive Diamond Dynasty squad without spending stubs, this is one of the easiest “high-reward, low-effort” cards in the game.

How to Beat the Showdown Consistently

Even though the difficulty is set to Veteran, Showdown mechanics can still trip players up if you rush at-bats. The key is discipline and pitch selection.

The most important strategy is patience. In almost every round, you should take the first few pitches of each at-bat. This helps you read pitch patterns and often wears down the pitcher’s confidence and energy, making later pitches easier to hit.

You should also avoid chasing early. Many Showdown failures come from swinging at pitches outside the strike zone just to “get something started.” Instead, wait for pitches over the plate, especially anything middle-middle or slightly elevated. Those are the easiest to drive for extra bases.

Another useful approach is to simplify your hitting mindset. You’re not trying to be perfect or hit home runs on every swing. Focus on consistent contact, line drives, and situational hitting. Even a single can be enough in many Showdown moments.

What to Expect After Completion

After finishing both rounds, you may encounter a small UI issue that some players report. The game can occasionally display a misleading message suggesting you need to “resume the draft” or that the attempt resulted in a loss.

This is a known visual glitch. Even if it appears confusing, you should continue past the message. The reward still registers correctly, and the 96 Overall Max Scherzer will be added to your Diamond Dynasty inventory.

If the card does not appear immediately, exiting back to the main Diamond Dynasty menu or restarting the mode usually triggers the reward to display correctly.

The 96 Milestone Max Scherzer Showdown is one of the most efficient content drops in MLB The Show 26. It avoids the usual grind-heavy structure and instead offers a short, skill-light path to a strong pitcher who can immediately improve most rotations.

If you’re building a competitive squad or just want a dependable strikeout arm without investing hours into progression systems, this Showdown should be one of your first priorities in Diamond Dynasty.