MLB Ushers in a New Era: Netflix Streaming, Automated Strike Zones, and the Future of Baseball
For a sport steeped in tradition, the opening of the 2026 Major League Baseball season is set to feature an unprecedented number of firsts. The official Opening Day on March 26 is the earliest in baseball history. More notably, the first official game of the season tonight between the New York Yankees and the San Francisco Giants—Opening Night—will be the first-ever game streamed live on Netflix.
Adding to the changes, the 2026 season will too notice the implementation of baseball’s first-ever Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) system review, utilizing technology to assist umpires in calling balls and strikes.
Automated Ball-Strike (ABS) System: How It Works
The ABS system is designed to provide a more accurate and consistent strike zone. Here’s how it functions:
- Challenge System: Each team gets two challenges per game, retaining them if successful and losing them if incorrect.
- Who Can Challenge: Only the pitcher, catcher, or batter can challenge a call.
- What Can Be Challenged: Challenges are limited to ball and strike calls.
- Time Limit: Challenges must be made within two seconds of the pitch.
- Technology: A network of 12 high-speed cameras around the stadium tracks the pitch’s location.
- 3D Modeling: Software creates a 3D model of the pitch’s trajectory against the batter’s individualized strike zone, displayed on the Jumbotron.
- Instant Verdict: The umpire announces the machine’s decision without reviewing footage.
MLB estimates that umpires currently call approximately 94 percent of pitches correctly, but the new system aims to minimize the remaining inaccuracies. The system is accurate to within 0.25 inches—roughly the width of a pencil—and can track pitches up to 103 mph.
The Potential Impact on the Game
While intended to improve accuracy, the introduction of the ABS system raises questions about the future role of human umpires and the skills traditionally valued in baseball.
- Shifting Umpire Roles: In the minor leagues, where the ABS system has been tested, umpires have begun to mimic the machine’s calls, potentially diminishing their independent judgment.
- Impact on Player Skills: Skills like pitch framing (by catchers) and understanding an umpire’s strike zone (by batters) may become less valuable as the game relies more on automated accuracy.
The ABS system represents a broader trend toward automation in sports, similar to the implementation of Hawk-Eye in tennis, which eventually led to the elimination of human line judges at major tournaments.
Netflix and the Changing Landscape of Baseball Broadcasts
The decision to stream the Yankees-Giants game exclusively on Netflix marks a significant shift in how baseball is consumed. First pitch from Oracle Park in San Francisco is scheduled for 8:05 p.m. ET on Wednesday, with a pregame show beginning at 7 p.m. ET. Netflix will also stream the T-Mobile Home Run Derby on July 13 and the MLB Field of Dreams Game on August 13.
This move reflects a growing trend of sports leagues partnering with streaming services to reach wider audiences. Netflix offers various subscription plans, starting at $7.99 per month, providing access to the MLB games.
As baseball embraces new technologies and distribution methods, the 2026 season promises to be a pivotal moment in the sport’s evolution, blending tradition with innovation and reshaping the fan experience.