Altuve's ABS Challenge Loss Highlights System's Cruelty

In the third inning of Friday's game, Altuve faced A's pitcher Jeffrey Springs. After a full count, Springs threw a low, inside pitch that was called ball four. A quick challenge by catcher Shea Langeliers overturned the call, ruling the pitch a strike and striking out Altuve on the closest pitch ever confirmed by ABS.

Despite the setback, Altuve has posted a 1.071 OPS and hit two home runs in his first nine games of the 2026 season.