SHOCKING: Braves analyst calls for ABS after umpire’s brutal strike call

“We know that ABS is probably on the way, we hate to have to have it, but we need it when things like that are happening.”

In tough times, urgent actions are needed, which is why announcers for the Atlanta Braves are calling for significant changes in umpires.

The Braves suffered their seventh consecutive loss on Sunday afternoon, falling to the San Francisco Giants and now sitting 14 games behind the first-place New York Mets and 10 games under .500 for the first time since 2017. Home plate umpire Jansen Visconti didn’t do much to help the Braves in this situation.

With one out in the ninth inning and the Braves trailing by one run, outfielder Alex Verdugo faced a two-strike slider that was outside the strike zone. However, Visconti either disagreed or failed to see it properly and called it strike three.

“Oh, no!” exclaimed Braves play-by-play announcer Brandon Gaudin right away. “No, no! Of all the times to miss that call.”

The unjust and poorly timed strike call from Visconti led Braves analyst C.J. Nitkowski to surrender and advocate for the introduction of an automated ball-strike challenge system.

“At no point when the baseball leaves his hand is it in the strike zone,” Nitkowski stated. “That’s just terrible. It’s not even close. We know the ABS is likely on the way; while we hate to need it, it’s necessary when calls like this occur.”

Gaudin and Nitkowski’s frustration was warranted. This was a terrible strike call at a critical moment in the game. Although poor umpiring isn’t the reason the Braves find themselves 10 games under .500 and 14 games behind the Mets this season, it certainly hasn’t helped.

While there’s always a push to speed up the game, allowing managers more challenges may seem counterproductive. However, with strike calls like Visconti’s, it’s tough to argue against the need for ABS.

Last week, Commissioner Rob Manfred announced that the league plans to propose the ABS challenge system for the 2026 MLB regular season. Based on their reaction to Visconti’s call on Sunday, it’s clear the Braves announcers are ready for it.