MLB's new robot umpires haven't been kind to Toronto Blue Jays

Major League Baseball's newest automated ball-strike system (ABS) has not been kind to the Toronto Blue Jays. In fact, the team ranks among the MLB's worst when it comes to successfully challenging pitches.

Batters, catchers and pitchers now have the opportunity to challenge an umpire's pitch call twice per game. If a challenge is successful, the team retains it; if a team loses two challenges, it cannot challenge again.

There has long been a narrative among fans that umpire calls don't go the Toronto Blue Jays' way as the league's only Canadian team. Apparently this applies to robot umpires as well, because while the introduction of ABS has added an extra layer of fairness to ball-and-strike calls in crucial in-game situations, it hasn't helped Toronto so far.

According to Baseball Savant, Toronto ranks within the bottom 17 per cent of MLB teams when it comes to successful ABS challenges. The Blue Jays rank 23rd of 30 teams in batter challenge overturn percentage and 25th of 30 teams in catcher/pitcher overturn percentage.

ABS overturned in #BlueJays at #Brewers (Top 9).
Vladimir Guerrero Jr. challenged the called strike.
Called Strike -> Ball.
HP: Nestor Ceja | Upheld 45.0% (9/20).
Later: Vladimir Guerrero Jr. singles on a ground ball to center fielder Garrett Mitchell. pic.twitter.com/2BYwdsDm2n

— ABS Auditor (@ABS_Auditor) April 16, 2026

At the plate, Blue Jays batters have won 48 per cent of the team's 22 challenges, while in the field, Toronto has won 47 per cent of its 16 challenges.

The league average sits just above 52 per cent. With the Blue Jays tied for last place in the AL East, you might be wondering whether this stat is something to worry about.

Besides the obvious answer: making better decisions at the plate offensively (especially with runners in scoring position), there is little reason to fret too much about the team's challenge numbers this early in the season.

Of the six teams ranked below the Blue Jays in ABS challenge success percentage, only two have worse records: the Boston Red Sox (7-11) and San Francisco Giants (6-12). Even the reigning World Series champion Los Angeles Dodgers have won just 48 per cent of their challenges, ranking 22nd out of 30 teams.