Photo by Lincoln Ficek on Flickr (CC BY 2.0), via Wikimedia Commons

Hitters are winning more ABS challenges in the postseason, and teams are challenging more overall

The MLB postseason has seen a noticeable shift in how teams approach the Automated Ball-Strike System (ABS), with batters proving more successful in overturning calls than during the regular season. Across 25 games in the Wild Card and Division Series, batters won 57% of their challenges (29 of 51), up from 49% in the regular season, while teams overall challenged calls at a higher rate—4.8 per game compared to 4.3.

Atlanta led all teams with 22 challenges, winning 14, while the White Sox and Brewers also showed aggressive use of the system. Catchers maintained a 60% success rate, slightly above their regular-season mark, while pitchers made just one challenge, with Tampa Bay’s Griffin Jax the only pitcher to appeal a call.

Among batters, Milwaukee’s Jake Bauers and Atlanta’s Austin Riley went undefeated in their challenges, while Chicago’s Munetaka Murakami and Ronald Acuña Jr. of the Braves had mixed results.

New York Yankees manager Aaron Boone noted the learning curve for players adapting to the new system, with some excelling early while others adjusted more gradually. Meanwhile, Philadelphia’s J.T.

Realmuto made history with the first game-ending ABS challenge in postseason play, underscoring the high-stakes decisions now tied to these appeals.

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