MLB The Show 23: Best Teams To Join As A Closer/Relief…

Unlike starting pitchers and position players in MLB The Show 23, relief pitchers and closers do not get guaranteed playing time. If the starter completes the game or the score is so bad that the game is not a contest, managers simply won't use their best relievers.

Ona non-competitive team, closers won't get enough appearances to do anything meaningful in MLB The Show 23. Gamers will need to choose great teams with terrible closers to have any success at all out of the bullpen. Thankfully, a handful of teams are in need and fit the bill.

Los Angeles Angels

MLB The Show 23 Angels Closing Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	99
Starting Pitcher 2	83
Starting Pitcher 3	78
Starting Pitcher 4	76
Starting Pitcher 5	76
Relief Pitcher	76
Closing Pitcher	67
Catcher	70
First Baseman	82
Second Baseman	74
Third Baseman	77
Shortstop	74
Left Fielder	81
Center Fielder	99
Right Fielder	86

Fan favorites like Mike Trout and Shohei Ohtani are part of the reason the game has gone multi-platform; the demand for these players is intense. Unfortunately, the Angels have yet to put together a deep playoff round despite two of the best ever at their respective positions.

Gamers can be the difference maker in the bullpen. The closing pitcher is a putrid 67, tied for the lowest-rated starting closer in the game. Players can get called up very early and change the fortunes of a team that, on paper, is finally ready for a championship.

Minnesota Twins

MLB The Show 23 Twins Closing Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	83
Starting Pitcher 2	81
Starting Pitcher 3	80
Starting Pitcher 4	78
Starting Pitcher 5	78
Relief Pitcher	83
Closing Pitcher	84
Catcher	76
First Baseman	74
Second Baseman	79
Third Baseman	84
Shortstop	89
Left Fielder	74
Center Fielder	93
Right Fielder	73

Minnesota fields a team that is in the top ten in defense, power, and contact. The pitching is just average which is a closer's dream come true; there will be many opportunities to pitch for a team as the starter performs only slightly better than the competition.

This is a smaller franchise with a notable lack of off-season drama coming into the game. But if players want to help the Twins become the best in baseball, it's surprisingly easy to do as they just need a touch of help from their relievers.

Chicago Cubs

MLB The Show 23 Cubs Closing Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	80
Starting Pitcher 2	79
Starting Pitcher 3	75
Starting Pitcher 4	75
Starting Pitcher 5	74
Relief Pitcher	71
Closing Pitcher	67
Catcher	73
First Baseman	74
Second Baseman	81
Third Baseman	77
Shortstop	88
Left Fielder	75
Center Fielder	73
Right Fielder	77

The Cubs are tied for the league's worst closer who has a 67 rating. Chicago is not one of the teams that need a great starting pitcher but they are in the market for a closer and reliever. The bullpen keeps blowing close games and narrow leads.

Players who opt for Chicago will find their scoring output is not great, but that's part of the fun. They'll have narrow leads with only a few innings left to go and an offense that is out of steam. Gamers looking for saves will find a home here.

Texas Rangers

MLB The Show 23 Rangers Closing Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	99
Starting Pitcher 2	81
Starting Pitcher 3	79
Starting Pitcher 4	77
Starting Pitcher 5	77
Relief Pitcher	78
Closing Pitcher	75
Catcher	76
First Baseman	85
Second Baseman	87
Third Baseman	70
Shortstop	85
Left Fielder	67
Center Fielder	72
Right Fielder	85

The Rangers aren't often considered when thinking about the best teams in baseball, but they just got a 99-rated pitcher and have a sizable budget. They're held back by a closer who sits at 75. This isn't terrible, but they need more to make a difference in the playoffs.

The Rangers are ranked about average in power, defense, speed, and pitching. Closers here will find they are called up in many close games and tough spots with runners on base. Texas needs a hero out of the bullpen.

Arizona Diamondbacks

MLB The Show 23 Diamondbacks Closing Pitchers Preseason

Position	Rating Of Best Player
Starting Pitcher 1	89
Starting Pitcher 2	79
Starting Pitcher 3	73
Starting Pitcher 4	70
Starting Pitcher 5	69
Relief Pitcher	77
Closing Pitcher	70
Catcher	74
First Baseman	83
Second Baseman	73
Third Baseman	77
Shortstop	72
Left Fielder	76
Center Fielder	69
Right Fielder	75

The Diamondbacks represent a shift in philosophy away from the rest of the teams on this list who are slightly above average. Arizona, conversely, is slightly below average in most categories. Closers looking for more save opportunities will want to choose another team.

Yet it's the Diamondbacks who will likely turn to their closers and relievers with the most frequency when things go south. Players here will get a chance to win games as relievers who can put a stop to teams threatening to score.

MLB The Show 23 is available now for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.