Red Sox Veteran Rips New MLB Automated Ball-Strike System

Sonny Gray calls the new technology a 'weird game we're playing now' as the Red Sox struggle with challenges against the Reds.

Mar. 29, 2026 at 8:11pm

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A cubist-style painting depicting a baseball pitcher's delivery and catcher's target broken down into sharp, overlapping geometric shapes in the team colors of the Red Sox and Reds, conveying the disruption and fragmentation caused by the new Automated Ball-Strike system in Major League Baseball.The new Automated Ball-Strike system has disrupted the flow of the game, forcing players and umpires to adapt to a more fragmented and unpredictable style of play.Cincinnati Today

Red Sox veteran pitcher Sonny Gray voiced his displeasure with Major League Baseball's new Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system after his team's 6-5 loss to the Cincinnati Reds. Gray, a 14-year MLB veteran, said the new technology has made the game 'weird' and that it's been a difficult adjustment, especially for experienced players like himself. The Red Sox ran out of challenges early in the game, while the Reds went 5-for-5 in their challenge attempts against Boston relievers. Gray praised rookie pitcher Ryan Watson for his composure in dealing with the ABS challenges during his MLB debut.

Why it matters

The introduction of the ABS system in MLB this season has been a major change for players, managers, and umpires alike. Veteran players like Sonny Gray have struggled to adapt to the new technology, which allows for instant replay challenges of ball and strike calls. This has led to disruptions in the flow of the game and increased scrutiny on umpires, who are now being held more accountable for missed calls.

The details

In Saturday's game, the Red Sox went 1-for-3 in their challenge attempts by the top of the third inning, while the Reds were a perfect 5-for-5 in challenges against Boston relievers. Umpire CB Bucknor called 88% of the game's 223 total pitches accurately, which was 12.2 fewer correct calls than the average umpire, and had a 72% accuracy rating on strikes, significantly below average. Rookie pitcher Ryan Watson, making his MLB debut, faced multiple challenges during his 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief, which Gray praised him for handling well.

  • On March 29, 2026, the Red Sox lost 6-5 to the Reds in Cincinnati.
  • The Red Sox ran out of challenges by the top of the third inning.

The players

Sonny Gray

A 14-year veteran pitcher for the Boston Red Sox who voiced his displeasure with the new Automated Ball-Strike system in MLB.

Ryan Watson

A Red Sox rookie pitcher who made his MLB debut in the game, facing multiple challenges from the Reds while pitching 2 1/3 scoreless innings of relief.

CB Bucknor

The umpire behind the plate for the game, who was below average in his accuracy on ball and strike calls according to the new ABS system.

Alex Cora

The manager of the Boston Red Sox, who acknowledged the difficulty veteran players and umpires are having in adjusting to the new ABS technology.

Eugenio Suárez

The Reds' designated hitter who successfully challenged back-to-back pitches during a bases-loaded at-bat in the sixth inning.

Will Benson

The Reds' right fielder who successfully overturned two strike calls during his at-bat in the seventh inning.

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What they’re saying

“I'm not a fan, but it is what it is. It's just a weird game we're playing now.”

— Sonny Gray, Red Sox Pitcher

“To make a pitch, get it challenged, make another pitch, get it challenged, and then come in a 3-2 count with the bases loaded with two outs and then to make another pitch, that was impressive.”

— Sonny Gray, Red Sox Pitcher

“Not at that magnitude. That's probably the loudest I've heard a stadium while pitching, so it was intense for sure.”

— Ryan Watson, Red Sox Pitcher

“There's guys that have been in the league forever. It's hard.”

— Alex Cora, Red Sox Manager

“It's just different. Very different.”

— Sonny Gray, Red Sox Pitcher

What’s next

The Red Sox and Reds will continue their series on Sunday, with both teams and umpires looking to further adapt to the new ABS system.

The takeaway

The introduction of the Automated Ball-Strike system in MLB this season has been a major adjustment for veteran players, managers, and umpires alike. Experienced pitchers like Sonny Gray have struggled to adapt to the new technology, which has led to disruptions in the flow of the game and increased scrutiny on umpires. As the season progresses, all parties involved will need to continue finding ways to effectively incorporate the ABS system into the game.