Cardinals' refusal to challenge ABS calls puts them at a disadvantage in MLB
The St. Louis Cardinals are struggling to adapt to Major League Baseball's automated ball-strike (ABS) challenge system. While the team boasts the youngest Opening Day lineup in baseball, their reluctance to use the new review tool has set them apart from the rest of the league. So far, only the Cardinals and the Colorado Rockies have yet to issue a single ABS challenge this season.
Several Cardinals players already have experience with the ABS system from their time in the minor leagues. Despite this familiarity, the team has not capitalised on the challenge system, leaving them at a disadvantage in close calls.
St. Louis hitters currently see the highest percentage of pitches in the zone, at 50.7%. Yet, they rank 21st in the league for pitches *outside* the zone being incorrectly called strikes, with eight such calls going against them. On the pitching side, the Cardinals rank 24th in zone rate, throwing just 44.9% of their pitches in the strike zone. Their pitchers have also seen ten pitches *inside* the zone wrongly called balls—the fourth-highest total in MLB. Historically, the Cardinals have been slow to embrace rule changes. They failed to take full advantage of previous adjustments, such as larger bases and restrictions on pitcher step-offs. Now, with the ABS challenge system in place, their hesitation to challenge calls could be costing them crucial opportunities.
The Cardinals' lack of ABS challenges stands out in a league where most teams actively use the system. With their hitters and pitchers both affected by questionable calls, a more aggressive approach could help them regain control in tight situations. For now, their reluctance remains a notable gap in their strategy this season.
