When a bad call happens in baseball, the umpire is the usual target. But on Saturday, Hall of Famer John Smoltz found himself in the crosshairs instead. The Red Sox’s 7-1 win against the Cardinals on Saturday was a showcase of Boston’s offense, but in the end, it was the former Braves pitcher and Fox Broadcaster, Smoltz, who caught all the limelight for all the wrong reasons.

“John Smoltz’s take on Walker calling for an ABS challenge is awful. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know that your chances of reaching base are drastically lower in a pitcher’s count versus a hitter’s count. Someone, please, get him off the broadcast,” MLB insider Adam Akbani shared via X.

It was in the 6th inning when the Red Sox pitcher Ranger Suarez threw quite outside of the strike zone. The Cardinals’ Jordan Walker was at the plate, and he took no time to tap his helmet.

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ABS called in, and the strike call was overturned. However, just when we thought that was a routine ABS call, the replay showed a cool 1.9″ distance between the ball and the strike zone.

Obvious ball, but called a strike. Fans were expected to call out the umpires, but instead, it was Smoltz in the broadcasting booth who took the heat.

“Get a challenge. See again. This is one I don’t understand if you’re a hitter or a ball challenge. Even though you get it right, it’s only a strike one. Now, you’re risking,” Smoltz said on air when Walker called for a review.

The 23-year-old challenged the call on the very first pitch. He did this to prevent the pitcher from gaining an early advantage. If he had accepted the bad “strike” call, he would have immediately fallen behind in the count, putting him in a much riskier, defensive position.

A batter has a significantly lower chance of getting on base when the pitcher has the advantage compared to when the batter has the advantage, as pitchers command the zone better and batters must protect the plate.

And considering Walker’s form this year (6 HRs at .314), he was surely confident enough to reach bases despite the ABS call on the first pitch. Plus, he was the youngest Cardinal to debut since 1999 (at age 20) and began his career with a 12-game hitting streak, the longest by a player 20 or younger since 1912.

This top-5 prospect from 2023 is enjoying a phenomenal start to the season. Through early April 2026, Walker is dominating offensively, ranking near the top of MLB in home runs (5), exit velocity (97.4 mph), and hard-hit rate (70.0%).

While Walker was right in protecting his base, the heat came on Smoltz, as he questioned Walker for taking up one review on the first strike itself.

John Smoltz gets called out by fans

Fans wonder if the home plate umpire or the broadcaster was more miserable on Saturday. “Smoltz and this home player umpire have both been terrible tonight,” one fan observed.

“Smoltz has become kinda miserable to listen to. He went on and on about rule changes for pitchers and injuries. Talked about bad challenges. That was a good challenge. Better to be up 1-0 in the count vs 0-1. It was clearly outside when I saw it live. Wasn’t even borderline,” another added.

The call was not even a borderline, but a gap of 1.9″! Fans wonder why Walker would not take the review. No matter if the pitcher or batter is at an advantage, 1-0 is always better than 0-1 for a slugger. But Smoltz didn’t seem to agree. And just as the ABS showed how much the gap was between the pitch and strike zone, fans questioned Smoltz as to why he was not supporting a review.

“I think it’s just because he was part of those Braves teams where he benefited so much from getting 2 and sometimes 3 inches off the plate called a strike all the time,” one recalled John Smoltz’s days with the Atlanta Braves. Smoltz had an elite ability to utilize the area just outside the strike zone to generate swings and misses, rather than relying on borderline calls within the zone. Pitching just at the edge of the strike zone was his forte, which fans are recalling now.

“Smoltz proves to be an a– clown every time he opens his yap. Conceded f— that he is,” another added.

It is not the first time that John Smoltz has expressed an unpopular opinion. Back in March, he suggested organizing the WBC amidst the MLB season. “I think you make it bigger when you do it in the middle of the season and shut it down for a week,” Smoltz opined. Imagine MLB shutting down the All-Star game and conducting the WBC!

For some fans, they are just getting used to Smoltz’s bizarre takes. “Smoltz has the attitude of, I’m a HOF, so I’m always right,” another jabbed. However, Smoltz could also have a different point here.

6th inning with no one on base and a 0-0 count down by two is a high-pressure situation, and teams look for every possible opportunity to gain an advantage. Smoltz, a Hall of Fame pitcher from an era without instant replay, may have been arguing from a traditionalist standpoint where players were expected to overcome a bad call early in the count, saving challenges for more pivotal moments like a potential third strike.

But no matter what, one thing we all have to absolutely agree on!

For a change, John Smoltz’s take on Walker’s ABS just saved the umpires from facing the wrath on Saturday.