Roberts takes Andy Pages’ ABS challenge decisions out of his hands

Dave Roberts has told Andy Pages to stop using the Dodgers’ ABS challenges after a failed attempt in the National League Division Series opener. The manager discussed the decision before Sunday’s Game 2, and MLB.com reported the restriction Monday.

Pages challenged a called strike with two outs and nobody on base in the second inning of Game 1 against Atlanta. The pitch was upheld. MLB.com measured it 2.6 inches above the bottom of the strike zone, and Los Angeles lost that challenge for the remainder of the game.

Jack Harris reported the manager’s instructions before Sunday’s Game 2.

The Dodgers still won the opener 5-3. The missed challenge therefore became a decision about future use of the system, rather than the explanation for an opening loss.

Roberts acknowledged that he had discussed Pages’ challenge decisions during the regular season but had not revisited the subject before Game 1. After the miss, he spoke with the outfielder and changed the permission he had been giving him.

Dodger Blue’s October 5 report shows why one postseason pitch drew that response. Pages won 11 of 25 batter challenges during the regular season, and the outlet reports that 52% of his attempts were classified as reasonable. The question involved his choice of pitch and moment as well as his overall success rate.

This is a restriction imposed by the manager on one player’s decisions. Pages has not been suspended by MLB or removed from the Dodgers’ lineup through this action.

Roberts also made clear that he does not apply identical challenge instructions to every hitter. Players’ judgment of the strike zone and the game situation influences the latitude he gives them.

The resulting debate is about discretion: how much freedom a manager should leave with a hitter when a failed challenge reduces the team’s remaining options. Los Angeles has answered that question for Pages as the series moves forward. The restriction does not change the called strike from Game 1; it changes who Roberts trusts to make the next challenge decision.