The New York Mets experienced firsthand how the new ABS challenge system can shift momentum in an instant. What looked like a key escape from trouble for reliever Huascar Brazoban quickly turned into a difficult mental test during Tuesday’s game against the Arizona Diamondbacks.
“It plays a big factor, big role,” manager Carlos Mendoza said after the game, according to SNY. “It was a really good challenge… really close pitch. Gotta give them credit there.”
Brazoban initially believed he had ended the inning with a strikeout, only for the call to be overturned by the ABS system after a challenge showed the pitch missed the zone by a fraction. Moments later, the at-bat continued, and the Diamondbacks capitalized with a game-tying hit, completely changing the situation, a sequence that highlighted how ABS Challenge rules can quickly shift momentum.
The mental reset becomes the real challenge
“You think you’re out of the woods, and before you know it, you gotta get back on the mound,” Mendoza explained. “That’s not an easy situation, and it’s new for all of us here.”
Carlos Mendoza #64 takes the ball from pitcher David Peterson #23 taking him out of the game. Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images
The moment highlighted what many around the league are starting to realize: the biggest adjustment to the ABS system is not mechanical, but mental. Pitchers must quickly reset after an emotional high, often in high-pressure situations with runners on base. What once would have been the end of an inning can now turn into a continuation of stress.
Learning curve in a new era
Players like Luke Weaver described the situation as a “no man’s land” moment, where the natural reaction is to celebrate, only to be pulled back into competition. That split-second shift can impact focus and execution, especially in critical innings.
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Although the Diamondbacks took advantage of the overturned call, the Mets ultimately responded and secured a walk-off win. Still, the sequence served as a clear example of how the ABS system is reshaping not just calls, but the mental rhythm of the game.
