The Chicago Cubs etched out a Game 3 victory against the San Diego Padres on Thursday, but in doing so, they provided the reason why ABS will be a welcome change next season. In the ninth inning of Thursday's win, Brad Keller threw what appeared to be ball four to Padres' shortstop Xander Bogaerts. Instead, it was a called strike three that ultimately proved to be the difference in the game.
The Padres would love to have ABS right now pic.twitter.com/UP807z5ej7
— Talkin’ Baseball (@TalkinBaseball_) October 3, 2025
After Padres' outfielder Jackson Merrill hit a solo shot to lead off the ninth inning, the called third strike to Bogaerts proved to be a massive difference maker for the Cubs.