Altuve's ABS Challenge Loss Highlights System's Cruelty

During the top of the third inning, Altuve faced A’s pitcher Jeffrey Springs with two outs and a runner on third. Springs’ 3‑2 delivery was called a ball four, but a swift challenge by Athletics catcher Shea Langeliers overturned the call. The pitch measured 0.00323 inches inside the strike zone, setting a new record for the closest ABS challenge ever confirmed as a strike.

The decision ended Altuve’s at‑bat on strikes, and the Astros’ 2017 AL MVP missed a key opportunity. Houston fell 11‑4, while Altuve’s season has otherwise begun brightly with a 1.071 OPS and two home runs in his first nine games.