Los Angeles Dodgers center fielder Andy Pages is officially off pitch challenge duty for the rest of the postseason, a wild move that manager Dave Roberts made clear before Game 2 against the Atlanta Braves. This isn’t just a benching from the challenge button, it’s a firm statement about how crucial every single decision is in October, especially with the 2026 season being the first with ABS challenges.
A Game 1 Blunder That Sealed His Fate
Dude, talk about a bad look. Pages burned one of the Dodgers’ precious two challenges in Game 1 of the NLDS against the Braves on a *clear* strike three. No one on base, two outs, first at-bat. Seriously? That kind of move, especially with a shaky umpire behind the plate, just screams trouble in the playoffs. Even though the Dodgers pulled out a 5-3 win over Atlanta in Game 1, losing an early challenge could have totally flipped the script late in that game. Roberts had to step in. He’d already told Pages to cool it with the challenges during the regular season, and that Game 1 blunder was the final straw. Before Game 2, Roberts let the media know: Pages is done with ABS challenges for the rest of the postseason.
Pages’ Challenge Record is Rough, And The Stats Back It Up
Look, it wasn’t a one-off thing, either. This is the first year for ABS challenges in MLB, and Pages just hasn’t figured it out. He only got three calls overturned out of a whopping fourteen attempts during the regular season. Out of 526 qualified batters, he was ranked a brutal #467 in the league for challenging pitches. That’s just not gonna cut it when you’re fighting for a championship. Roberts had already put a “stop sign” on Pages in the second half of the season, instructing him not to challenge pitches down the stretch. After that Game 1 disaster, it was just a firm reminder.
As the Dodgers continue their NLDS battle against the Braves, every single decision matters. Roberts pulling the plug on Pages’ challenge button shows just how high the stakes are. You can’t afford to waste a single challenge when a whole season is on the line. It’s all about playing smart from here on out.
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by The Sporting News.
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