"The new system - commonly called the ABS Challenge System - gives players the chance to challenge an umpire's ball-or-strike call in real time in order to reverse a critical call."
"With two out and one on and Roman Anthony at the plate with a full count, the Red Sox star outfielder was rung up by home plate umpire Dan Iassogna on a called third strike."
"The subsequent review revealed that the pitch was a few inches off the strike zone, reversing the call and rewarding Anthony with a walk."
""It's a different ballgame now," Alex Cora said postgame, per MassLive's Sean McAdam. "If that's a strikeout, it's a 1-0 game with Chappy in the game.""
The Boston Red Sox began the 2026 season with a 3-0 win against the Reds, aided by Garrett Crochet's strong performance and effective bullpen. The introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike Challenge System allowed players to challenge umpire calls in real time. The Red Sox successfully challenged a critical call in the ninth inning, leading to a walk for Roman Anthony, which kept the inning alive. This resulted in two additional runs, securing the victory and demonstrating the impact of the new challenge system on the game.
Read at Boston.com
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