Cubs player had one of the worst ABS challenges of the year

IMAGN IMAGES via Reuters Connect

Cubs player had one of the worst ABS challenges of the year

Originally posted on Larry Brown Sports
By Renzo Pocholo Salao | Last updated Sep 9, 2026 12:36 PM ET

Chicago Cubs utility man Matt Shaw may get his challenge license revoked after his ill-advised head tap Tuesday against the Milwaukee Brewers.

Shaw came up to the plate in a big spot with his team looking to break a 1-1 tie in the top of the 9th inning at American Family Field in Milwaukee, Wis. The 24-year-old faced Brewers reliever Trevor Megill with runners on first and second and nobody out.

Megill quickly got ahead 0-2. After Shaw fouled off a high fastball to keep the at-bat going, Megill got him with another heater right down the middle. Shaw foolishly challenged the call.

"That was right down the middle."

"That's just selfish." pic.twitter.com/Pvp0iyf5AR
— Rob Friedman (@PitchingNinja) September 9, 2026

The pitch was in the zone by a margin the size of a second baseball. The Brewers broadcast called it downright “selfish” that Shaw challenged such a clear strike on an 0-2 count.

Several fans agreed with the Brewers’ color announcer. Many called it one of the worst challenges they’ve ever seen.

thats the worst ABS challenge ive ever seen pic.twitter.com/MrWXJvMrk7
— BrodyMK64 (@BrodyMK64) September 9, 2026

Matt Shaw with no joke the worst challenge by anyone in the entire MLB
— Tucker Kraft Dynasty Owner (@GOATRodgersSZN) September 9, 2026

That’s got to be in the conversation for worst challenge of the year there from Matt Shaw
— HOWARD SZN (@HOWARD_SZNN) September 9, 2026

Worst AB I’ve ever witnessed actually. Wasting the challenge is what did it for me
— OBVIOUS SHIRTS® (@obvious_shirts) September 9, 2026

Shaw certainly gave Marcus Semien a run for worst ABS challenge of the season.

In all fairness to Shaw, Brewers catcher William Contreras deked him by stabbing at the pitch as if it were below the zone. Contreras even tapped at his own helmet, even though Milwaukee had no challenges left, to make Shaw think it was worth an ABS review.

Pinch-hitter Carson Kelly picked Shaw up later in the inning with a two-run double off the wall in right-center field. But the Brewers battled back to tie the game in the bottom of the 9th inning and won 4-3 in extras.

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