How ABS Is Making MLB Games Last Longer This Season

The rise of MLB’s Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system is shaking up early-season strategy, tempo, and the overall vibe around the game. Let’s break down how ABS interacts with the pitch clock, why managers are scrambling to adjust, and which players are fueling the conversation—from Corbin Carroll’s wild speed and triples streak to Philadelphia’s bullpen surge and Jordan Walker’s rebound.

ABS, the clock, and the new pace of baseball

The ABS system has quickly become a major storyline as teams figure out its legitimacy and timing. The pitch clock already shortened games a lot since 2023, but ABS challenges still pop up at big moments.

These challenges usually wrap up in under 15 seconds, but if you get a few in a row, the time adds up. The result? More drama, but not a return to those endless, pre-pitch clock marathons.

Even with ABS causing tense, tactical pauses, the early season pace is still way faster than what we used to see. According to Baseball-Reference, the average nine-inning game through Saturday sits at 2 hours, 42 minutes.

That’s up from 2:38 last season and 2:36 in 2024. The clash between ABS and the clock is changing how managers run their bullpens and how hitters think about late-inning at-bats.

What the numbers say about game length

ABS challenges move quickly, but the total time matters when you get a bunch in a row. Teams are still figuring out how to follow the rules while keeping their momentum.

Carroll, Chase Field, and the triple threat

Two-time All-Star Corbin Carroll is off to a hot start, hitting .327 with a 1.067 OPS and leading the majors with three triples in just 14 games. Carroll’s been the triples leader for two straight seasons (17 in 2025, 14 in 2024), and his 46 career triples make him one of the most exciting speedsters in the game right now.

The dry desert air and Chase Field’s deep right-center alley are basically tailor-made for his game, letting him stretch hits into extra bases.

Here’s a quick look at Carroll’s triple-heavy production and career pace:

• Batting average: .327
• On-base Plus Slugging (OPS): 1.067
• Triples this season: 3 in 14 games
• Career triples: 46 (sixth among active players)
• Past two seasons in triples: 17 (2025), 14 (2024)

Carroll’s speed, paired with the Diamondbacks’ unique ballpark, makes him a perfect example of how today’s game rewards aggressive baserunning in the ABS era.

Phillies bullpen buzz in April

The Philadelphia Phillies have leaned on a surprisingly stingy bullpen this April, giving up barely any earned runs on a recent six-game trip. The stats—0.50 ERA and a .129 opponent average over 18 innings—show a group that’s become a real safety net for a rotation still getting used to ABS, the pitch clock, and shifting bullpen roles.

Rookie Andrew Painter gave a nod to the bullpen after they tossed five scoreless innings, helping the Phillies rally for a 6-4 win after his rough four-inning, four-run start. That kind of relief outing can totally change a close game and force managers to rethink how they use the bullpen as the ABS-pitch clock era unfolds.

What the bullpen surge means for Painter and the club

Painter’s early starts show how a steady bullpen can protect a young pitcher and lock down late-game situations. When a bullpen stays resilient, it gives teams a blueprint for surviving the pace changes that ABS brings.

April’s numbers really do highlight something bigger: a strong relief corps can steady a team, even when the starting rotation is still figuring out the new rules.

Jordan Walker’s rebound in St. Louis

After a down year in 2025, Cardinals outfielder Jordan Walker is bouncing back with seven homers and a .327 average through just 15 games.

He’s showing off a burst of power lately, with six of those homers coming in his last eight contests.

It really feels like Walker’s reasserting himself as a core piece in St. Louis’ lineup.

This early-season surge hints at a return to form for the former top prospect, and honestly, it’s adding a bit of spark to the Cardinals’ offensive story as ABS keeps shaping plate discipline and timing.

As the season keeps rolling, Walker’s progress might turn into a real barometer for how the Cardinals mix power with patience under these ABS rules.

It’ll be interesting to see how other young players adjust to the shifting pace of play too.

 
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