Bubba Chandler’s oops moment turns into unexpected ABS challenge win

Bubba Chandler is off to a mixed start in 2026, accruing a solid 3.86 ERA in his first three starts for the Pittsburgh Pirates despite some ugly underlying numbers (including a 5.57 FIP and ugly 19.0% walk rate).

His most recent start against the Chicago Cubs featured much better command (just two walks after surrendering 10 combined in his first two outings), but he also gave up a pair of home runs into some vicious Wrigley Field wind. Better days should be ahead for the right-hander, but he'll need to find some consistency in order to provide the Pittsburgh Pirates with valuable innings.

However, that start against the Cubs also featured one of the oddest and most novel sights you'll see on a baseball field this year. After throwing a sinking changeup to the inside corner against Moises Ballesteros, Chandler went to adjust his cap after the pitch was called a ball. The problem? The home plate umpire interpreted it as an ABS challenge... which Chandler won.

Anyone who has watched Chandler pitch in the past knows he has an affinity for fixing his hat between offerings. This particular instance was a little more exaggerated with the double pat — hence why the umpire interpreted it as a challenge — but it's clear that a system this susceptible to miscommunication probably needs some slight tinkering.

Bubba Chandler's accidental ABS win opens up discussions for at-large changes to challenge system

According to MLB itself, a challenge is officially issued as such: "The player taps his cap or helmet to alert the umpire to his desire to challenge the call. Players are also encouraged to verbalize their challenge, to leave nothing to doubt, but the cap/helmet tap represents the official challenge."

Chandler tried to verbally inform home plate umpire Alan Porter that he wasn't actually challenging the pitch, but the process had already been put in motion. It worked out for the Pirates in this instance, but losing one of your two challenges in a similar scenario would be infuriating.

It's clear to most that ABS has made for a better viewing experience in 2026, but it's not surprising that, in the first year of its MLB implementation, there are still a few bugs to sort out. Some verification measure — perhaps a thumbs up or down — from the umpire, just to confirm a challenge is actually being made, would add no more than a second or two to the process and eliminate pretty much any chance of a repeat of what happened to Chandler.

The league is surely already on the case, but any changes to the system won't come until 2027 at the earliest. For now, Chandler will just need to be a little more wary of how he adjusts his cap.

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