The introduction of reviewable ball and strike calls in Major League Baseball has brought unexpected drama to the opening days of the new season.
Despite teams having limited challenges per game and advanced technology backing the decisions, tensions remain high. This was evident when Minnesota’s manager Derek Shelton was thrown out during the ninth inning of Sunday’s game against Baltimore following a disputed pitch review.
The controversial moment came with Baltimore leading by two runs, one runner on base, and one out. When pitcher Ryan Helsley’s 3-2 delivery to Minnesota’s Josh Bell was ruled a ball, Helsley signaled for a challenge by tapping his cap, then repeated the gesture for emphasis. Video review revealed the pitch caught the outside edge of the strike zone, reversing the call and striking out Bell. Shelton’s heated protest resulted in his ejection, and Baltimore secured an 8-6 victory.
Speaking to media after the game, Shelton claimed Helsley didn’t signal for the challenge fast enough.
Saturday’s matchup between Cincinnati and Boston also drew attention, with the Reds winning 6-5 in a game featuring eight Automated Ball-Strike System challenges with CB Bucknor calling balls and strikes. Six of those challenges resulted in overturned calls. Boston exhausted both their challenges before the third inning concluded, while Cincinnati went five-for-five on successful reviews.
While Detroit sent a two-time Cy Young Award winner to the hill on opening day, rookie Kevin McGonigle stole the spotlight with an outstanding debut performance Thursday.
McGonigle, ranked among baseball’s premier prospects, connected on the very first pitch he faced, delivering a bases-clearing double in the opening frame at San Diego. He continued his hot start with hits in his following two plate appearances. With Tarik Skubal pitching effectively, Detroit cruised to an 8-2 triumph.
St. Louis rookie JJ Wetherholt has also made an immediate impact. In just his second major league contest Saturday against Tampa Bay, he delivered a game-winning two-run single in the tenth inning. This heroic moment followed his home run in Thursday’s debut.
New York Mets newcomer Carson Benge earned a roster spot for the season opener and has already gone deep. Cleveland’s Chase DeLauter connected twice in Thursday’s regular season opener, including on his first swing, though he technically debuted during last year’s postseason.
Toronto established a new benchmark by recording 50 strikeouts through their opening three contests, with both Kevin Gausman and Dylan Cease reaching double-digit strikeout totals. The previous mark belonged to whom?
Seattle’s Emerson Hancock delivered six no-hit innings Sunday during an 8-0 shutout victory over Cleveland, fanning nine while issuing just one free pass.
After posting a 4-5 record with a 4.90 earned run average last year, Hancock earned a rotation spot due to Bryce Miller’s injury and made a compelling argument to retain his role with this impressive opening effort.
Thursday’s game between Tampa Bay and St. Louis featured a remarkable sixth-inning turnaround. The Rays plated six runs in the top half to grab a commanding 7-1 advantage, only to trail when the frame concluded.
St. Louis answered with an eight-run explosion in the bottom of the sixth to take a 9-7 lead, which held up for the final margin.
The Cardinals’ rally featured two-run singles from both Nolan Gorman and Nathan Church, followed by sacrifice flies from Wetherholt and Iván Herrera. Alec Burleson, who opened the inning with a base hit, provided the finishing touch with a two-run blast.
Each team sent 11 hitters to the plate during that wild sixth inning.
The answer: Cincinnati’s 2020 squad previously held the strikeout record with 46 through three games, featuring starts from Sonny Gray, Luis Castillo, and Trevor Bauer against Detroit. Ironically, the Reds dropped two of those three contests.
