Phillies Reliever Sets Team Record with First ABS Challenge
On Opening Day at Citizens Bank Park, Phillies reliever Zach Pop became the first Phillies pitcher to trigger an ABS review. He tapped his red hat to signal a challenge in the eighth inning.
The play and immediate outcome
The situation came with two outs and a full count. Pop’s sinker to Brandon Nimmo was ruled a ball by home-plate umpire James Hoye.
The automated review showed the pitch missed the inside edge by 0.1 inches. The on-field ruling stood and Nimmo was awarded first base on a walk.
Philadelphia held on for a 5-3 win over the Texas Rangers at Citizens Bank Park.
Rules of the new ABS challenge system
The automated ball-strike system debuted in the major leagues this season. Each team starts with two ABS challenges per game.
Challenges may be initiated by the batter, pitcher or catcher. Dugout assistance is prohibited during ABS review decisions.
If a challenge is successful, the team keeps that challenge. An unsuccessful challenge is lost. Teams get an extra challenge in extra innings if they used theirs.
Strategy, reactions and context
Spring conversations suggested many pitchers would defer ABS calls to catchers. Veteran J.T. Realmuto performed well making those calls in the Grapefruit League.
With a five-run lead, Pop chose to challenge late in the game. Manager Rob Thomson said the margin of error was about a tenth of an inch.
Pop’s performance and remarks
The unsuccessful challenge did not derail Pop’s outing. He retired the next batter and finished a scoreless frame.
Pop entered the season after a solid spring. He posted a 3.86 ERA across nine appearances, walking two and striking out nine.
The 29-year-old is a six-year big-league veteran on his fifth club. He called Opening Day in Philadelphia a “really cool experience.”
Filmogaz.com covered the event and noted how the first ABS challenge sets a new chapter in how games will be managed.
