Welcome to DU!
The truly grassroots left-of-center political community where regular people, not algorithms, drive the discussions and set the standards.
Join the community:
Create a free account
Support DU (and get rid of ads!):
Become a Star Member
Latest Breaking News
Editorials & Other Articles
General Discussion
The DU Lounge
All Forums
Issue Forums
Culture Forums
Alliance Forums
Region Forums
Support Forums
Help & Search
Teams faring best and worst in using the automated balls & strikes system
The Minnesota Twins are the most liberal challengers under the new system, leading the way with 124. The most conservative team has been the Boston Red Sox at 63. These two teams, for all their differences in the rate of challenges, both spread those challenges fairly equally between their batters and defenders. That's not the case with everyone.
The Miami Marlins are by far the MLB leader in challenges from defenders (90), mostly their catchers (remember, only hitters, catchers and pitchers can challenge a call). But the Marlins rank 29th in challenges from their hitters. The Baltimore Orioles flip that around -- they're tied for sixth in challenges from hitters, but 29th from defenders.
According to the run values applied to ABS challenges by Statcast, the Twins and Colorado Rockies lead the way with 4.4 runs better than expectation, which translates to a little under a half-win. Those clubs are six runs better than the last-place Texas Rangers, at minus-1.6 runs against expectation. That six-run spread, translated to the full season, could mean a difference of around three wins. It's no small thing.
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are tied for first with an average of 0.13 runs gained per challenge. The Red Sox are among the clubs tied for second at 0.12, but because Boston challenges so infrequently, their bottom-line total of 1.3 runs below expectation ranks 28th. The lesson: Challenge more, Red Sox!
The Miami Marlins are by far the MLB leader in challenges from defenders (90), mostly their catchers (remember, only hitters, catchers and pitchers can challenge a call). But the Marlins rank 29th in challenges from their hitters. The Baltimore Orioles flip that around -- they're tied for sixth in challenges from hitters, but 29th from defenders.
According to the run values applied to ABS challenges by Statcast, the Twins and Colorado Rockies lead the way with 4.4 runs better than expectation, which translates to a little under a half-win. Those clubs are six runs better than the last-place Texas Rangers, at minus-1.6 runs against expectation. That six-run spread, translated to the full season, could mean a difference of around three wins. It's no small thing.
The Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals are tied for first with an average of 0.13 runs gained per challenge. The Red Sox are among the clubs tied for second at 0.12, but because Boston challenges so infrequently, their bottom-line total of 1.3 runs below expectation ranks 28th. The lesson: Challenge more, Red Sox!
https://www.espn.com/mlb/story/_/id/48807610/mlb-2026-abs-automated-balls-strikes-system-early-numbers-lessons-analytics
2 replies
= new reply since forum marked as read
= new reply since forum marked as read
You can't spell awesome without ABS 
Kick in to the DU tip jar?
This week we're running a special pop-up mini fund drive. From Monday through Friday we're going ad-free for all registered members, and we're asking you to kick in to the DU tip jar to support the site and keep us financially healthy.
As a bonus, making a contribution will allow you to leave kudos for another DU member, and at the end of the week we'll recognize the DUers who you think make this community great.